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Recent articles:
Tuesday, October 31. 2006
Author: BIG BAD WOLF
A couple times a month I see a new question about a game timing out, and users who don’t quite understand how some of the time limits for games work on BrainKing. Well hopefully this will help out.
There are 2 types of time controls on BrainKing. Time per move & Time per game. (Time per move has 3 options). I will go over each control & option, and also explain the time per game (also called Fischer’s clock) a little more in detail – hopeful it can help some users out.
Time per move: X days, X hours. This is the original time control, and pretty easy to understand. Once your opponent makes their move, and the game is again waiting for your move – you have X days, and X hours to make a move. For the Time per move option, you have 3 sub-options:
- Standard Vacation: And weekend days or vacation days you have set (along with auto-vacation) will extend the time of these games. So for example - 5 days, 5 hours is set. When the game shows up in your game sheet, it shows 7 days, 5 hours – because in this example, both “weekend days” are within the first 5 days so the game is actually extended for those 2 extra days.
- Fixed weekend only: NO VACATION DAYS. Plus no matter what “weekend days” you have set in your profile, only 2 extra days for Saturday & Sunday are accepted. Plus what some people forget, no mater if you have vacation days set or are using auto-vacation days, fixed weekend only games will time out over vacation. On your game sheet, you can find these games quickly because they will have a green dot next to them.
- No days off: This is pretty self explanatory – No vacation days, and No weekend days. If the time limit says 1 day, the game will time out in 1 day. No matter if you have vacation days set, or it falls on one of your “weekend” days. On your game sheet, you can find some of these games quickly because they will have a red dot next to them. (note: a red dot is next to the Fischer’s clock games also)
Time for game: This is the newest time control option for games. This is also called “Fischer’s Clock”. This is the control which confuses a lot of people, so I will spend a little extra time on this option. First thing to know is that there is NO VACATION DAYS and no weekend days for this time control. Like the “no days off” time option above, you can also find this quickly in your game sheet with a red dot next the time.
Controls look like: (example #1) Time: 7 days, Bonus: 1 day, Limit: 8 days
On tournament sheet, it will look like: 7/1/8
Time: 7 days – this is the amount of time you get to play the game.
Bonus: 1 day – this is the amount of time that gets added to the clock after every move
Limit: 8 days – this is the maximum amount of time the game can have.
So lets go through an example. 7/1/8
- Game starts, your turn. For sake of example (and to keep example in whole numbers instead of using minutes), lets say it took you ZERO amount of time to make your first move and submit it.
- Current time: 7 days
- Your opponent makes their move, and sends it back to you. On every move, the bonus amount of time is added to the time. So 7 days PLUS 1 day bonus – you now have 8 days to make a move before timing out.
- Current time: 8 days
- Again, for sake of this example, lets say it took you ZERO amount of time to make your next move and submit it.
- Current time: 8 days
- Your opponent makes their move, and sends it back to you. On every move, the bonus amount of time is added to the time. So 8 days PLUS 1 day bonus = 9 days. BUT the MAX amount of time is set to 8, so the time is automatically adjusted down to the max amount of 8 days.
- Current time: 8 days
- You lost your internet connection, and it took you 7 days, 12 hours to make your next move.
- Current time: 12 hours
- Your opponent makes their move, and sends it back to you. On every move, the bonus amount of time is added to the time. So 12 hours PLUS 1 day bonus = 1 day, 12 hours.
Current time: 1 day, 12 hours.
OK, new example:
Time: 7 days
Bonus: 0 (nothing!)
Limit: 7 days
THIS IS THE EXAMPLE WHICH MESSES MOST PEOPLE UP. The important thing to see here is the Bonus time. Most people quickly see the 7 day time, and think they will have plenty of time to make moves.
- Example (7/0/7)
- Current time: 7 days
- Game starts, it takes you 6 days, 23 hours to make your first move.
- Current time: 1 hour
- Your opponent makes their move, and sends it back to you. On every move, the bonus amount of time is added to the time. So 1 hours PLUS 0 bonus = 1 hour.
- Current time: 1 hour
- Well you are off-line, and the game times out. Opps.
So be careful when you sign up for fischer’s clock games. The most important thing is the BONUS time. (middle number) Since the bonus will always be added to the time left, you will always know that you will at least have this much time left in a game. If you sign on every day, then a bonus of 1 day will always make sure the games will have 1 day when they are sent to you. Also again, no vacation days.
Saturday, September 16. 2006
Author: JohanT
My name is Johan Tenge, and I am a gamer. A gamer in the modern sense of picking up a videogame controller, a handheld system or a mouse (or touchpad). A regular (weekend-) day for me involves waking up, turning on my radio, listening to the news, starting my laptop and playing World of Warcraft for a bit. I then read up on videogame news, and play Kingdom Hearts (the sequel is set for a release two weeks from now), which is followed by coding my blog to do what I want it to do. Meanwhile, I’m amused by the inability of me turning around my glass without the icecubes staying where they are.
Where does BrainKing fit into this, you must wonder?
Well, above I described a regular day. A day that was regular right up until the moment I discovered BK. Before, when getting behind a school computer, I sneakily looked up some videogame news, watched flash movies and doodled in Paint.
Now, my day mostly involves playing boardgames on BK, playing Chess against my brother (on and off BK), and writing that novel which my brain seemed unable to produce until I found out about BK. At school, people wonder about what something called BrainKing.com is doing in the browser’s history, and I have a text editor in my Boot folder. One of my characters in my Science Fiction novel is an avid BrainKing member (in the year 2147  ), and gets literally dragged into a Chess tournament on the planet Gann, in an attempt at saving the President of an alien planet, who happens to be both the Galactic Champion for Ludo and for Chess.
All in all, BK has honestly changed my life for the positive. Thank you Fencer, for being awesome.
Tuesday, September 12. 2006
Author: Servant
What is Brainking? Why a Brainking? And who is the Brainking? That was my first thought when I discovered the site existed at chessvariants.com. So sure enough I checked it out, and registered with all my petty details and my first thought was what is that big thing in the middle of the screen? Oh, its a large wooden chess queen with a warped chess mat around it, a kind of original graphic art, since you commonly see knights representing chess, usually because they are mysterious in the way they move, sideways, forward, back and once in awhile deliver a check or a smothered mate. People have always had an affection for horses right? And apart from that you can always create a new knight.
But the queen, what can I say? Well she is kind of graceful as well as powerful, watch out she says, i'm coming through! And doesn't she move quickly, from one side of the battle, then back again in only two moves, crikey that sort of thing deserves respect and the most important countrie's bravery medals. As for the king as the mascot well, thats a bit so-so isn't it. I mean the king always likes to tell stories about how he beat this opponent, beat that opponent and how he directed his armies to win the war in less than 20 manouevres, quite frankly people would get sick of such talk in a short period of time and the image of him would only drive people away or deliver demands everyday to the webhost for a replacement. Then there is the rook, he is always telling the other pieces how he is stuck in the corner, and how he can't show how tough he is until the battle is half over or nearly finished. He has a brother in the other corner who says exactly the same things. He is also sensitive and if you say something wrong according to him he will refuse to participate and not move from his coffee chair. The bishop is trying to convert people to his way of thinking knowing that he can travel a long way in achieveing his goals. He is humble and placid usually, refusing to take place in the politics of showbusiness. The pawns are the students in the army and have yet to learn the knowledge possessed by a leader. They do know however that if they can courageouly get to the other side of battlefield they have have the reward of promotion and honour. The conclusion is that i think that having the queen as the mascot for Brainking is the right choice. She is to most people highly valued. So next time i see her majesty at Brainking I will say that I salute you!
Today I am pleased to announce that it is exactly 8 months since I registered and I want to say that the site is outstanding, easy to use and that I didn't know what I was in for!
Sunday, September 10. 2006
Author: !Undertaker!
Many people think that online games sites are only for playing...however, BrainKing.com is different. I remember the first time I played in this site, I was confused with so many links. In the beginning, I only play a few games, because Brains, Teams, Fellowships, Forums and so many others features were totally unknown for me.
After a while, I use others links and day after day I discover new features and I was searching for everything. I was amazed with the brilliant way how the site is organized. Everything is perfect since players' level, Brains, Teams Tournaments, Statistics, Ratings, etc. The most interesting thing is the players' level with different privileges, in accordance with his importance. This hierarchy, originating from chess, remembers me a monarchy, where everybody wants to have more power and go up level. The competition between players is entice and, on BrainKing.com, I can compete individually in standard games or tournaments. Unfortunately, I cannot play on Team Tournaments, but I look forward to join them. When I'm not playing, I like to visit Forums and talk with so different people from different countries. For me, this is very important, because I meet a lot of different and interesting people. Besides, I can frequently talk in French and especially in English and this is good for my vocational training. Everybody has ideas about the site and would like to see them put in practice on BrainKing.com. I tried to introduce classic checkers game and maybe this idea can become true. In my opinion, BrainKing.com belongs to everybody and this is fantastic for its success.
But BrainKing.com is much more than this and I usually search news in press monitoring or I use the search link to find everything I want.
So, for me, BrainKing.com is a big world.
Saturday, September 9. 2006
Author: gambler104
I have played at three different game sights in the past three years. These are itsyourturn.com, goldtoken.com, and of course, brainking.com. And I know many other people play at multiple sites as well. And from over 90% of the comments I have heard, BrainKing is by far the favorite of these or other sites. I think that this comes from the approach that the owner, Filip Rachunek, takes as opposed to the approach that the other sites take. While some of the other sites attempt to limit non-members and even members in what they can do, Brainking gives non-members lots of benefits and give members almost unlimited benefits. As a current non-paying member, BrainKing offers me a great variety of games, an unlimited number of moves a day, and a lot of flexibility in such things as dropping tournaments after I am eliminated. And for paying members and non-members alike, BrainKing has an efficient rating system, a wider variety of games than found at other places, and an owner who cares about the opinions of all players at his game site. These are simply qualities that you don’t find or rarely find at other game sites. That is why I continue to devote a lot of my time to BrainKing instead of to other sites.
Friday, September 8. 2006
Author: Summertop
BrainKing offers several levels of memberships. The basic level, Pawns, is free. This level is very usable. Pawn level members can have up to 20 games at one time, but they can make unlimited moves. They can even join a tournament. Some tournament offer prizes to the winners. There are public discussion boards where members, including Pawns, can talk about everything from games to poetry to sports. These discussion boards are well moderated so all of the unpleasantness that exists on other sites doesn't exist on BrainKing.
So, if the free Pawn membership level is so feature rich, is it truely worth the money to upgrade? well, there are two main features given for the upgraded memberships. Each one, by itself, is worth the cost of the upgraded membership. Combined, they offer more for your membership than any other online game site. Add in all the other little features, such as animated smileys and the referal program, and it is a "No-Brainer" to upgrade your membership. Let's visit the two main features for upgraded membership levels:
More Games: When you upgrade your membership, you can have an UNLIMITED number of games at one time. You can also join as many tournaments as you want. With that many games, you don't want to "time-out" and lose by default. So, you get up to thirty "Vacation" days per year to help. Pawns only get five vacation days. You even get a new game, not available to Pawns, called "Run around the Pond".
Fellowships: Fellowships are a place where a group of friends can get together. Most fellowships are themed. For example, you might join a fellowship devoted to the game of Backgammon. You also might join one devoted to Sports. You can join as many fellowships as you want. In these fellowships there are private discussion boards and private tournaments. A fellowship can even put together a team and join an tournament against other fellowships. You can even create your own fellowships and invite your friends to join it.
So as you can see, it is well worth the expense to upgrade you membership to take full advantage of the BrainKing community.
Wednesday, September 6. 2006
Author: rednaz23
I started out like everyone on BrainKing, a simple pawn playing a few games for fun. I soon found the links to discussion boards where I discovered a world of opportunities! I found I could discuss just about anything and everything with people from all sorts of different backgrounds. Soon after I joined the standard stairs and climbed quickly to the top. I joined a tourney and ended up winning! I was simply hooked! I wanted more. I wanted the ability to join multiple stairs, multiple tourneys, and of course as many games as I wanted! I soon anted up the small amount to be an official member of BrainKing. I now enjoy literally hundreds of different games with opponents all over the world. I played in multiple stairs and tourneys, created my own tourneys, and of course what I feel is the biggest perk of all; the ability to be a member or Big Boss of a fellowship.
Within a fellowship, there is a small community within the BrainKing community. All fellowships are linked by a common trait. Some fellowships are all about sports or politics. Some are all for playing pente, line games, chess, or froglet. But the common thing is that it is a smaller, much tighter-knit community within BrainKing. There are so many wonderful things in each of these little communities at BrainKing; Fellowship stairs, tourneys, and discussion boards are all typical to a BrainKing fellowship. But one of the greatest things to come from a fellowship; is the ability to challenge another fellowship in a team match. A team match really causes members within a fellowship to unite. It makes these little communities stand out ever so much more. To me, the best thing about the best gaming site on the net; are these wonderful little fellowships. I hope to see you there.
Wednesday, September 6. 2006
Author: Allison
When I first was invited to check into brainking.com, I was so involved in other game sites and trying to run my household that I put the idea on hold for several weeks. I finally got the chance to sign up for a free membership and the vastness of games and knowledge on the site impressed me immensely, I began to ask myself “why did I wait so long?”, soon having just the rank of a pawn wasn’t enough-I wanted….NEEDED…more games, I learned the different variants of backgammon and chess, I had always played anti-checkers but now I was hooked on Ludo. I met people that lived right in the next town - to far away countries that I only visit in my dreams, I have made friends of various ethnic and cultural differences, see it makes no difference here at brainking.com, we are all the same.
Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to grow in new games and accepting the difference in our fellow man. I disagree with some of my fellow players in the use of "aids" during gameplay, personally I rather use my brain than to use a checker program or a checkerboard to play out the moves, countless people have informed me that this is an okay thing to do, but I have learned to play better and think smarter "than your average bear", I have learned that just because some use aids not all do, and I have not minded "teaching" those that are less knowledgeable than I.
Overall, I would give brainking.com 4 stars for overall gameplay and enjoyment.
Monday, September 4. 2006
Author: nivabef
“You look so sleepy today!” said the receptionist as I slumped into my office at 8:30. I contemplated admitting that the reason I was so tired was that I was up all night playing games of Backgammon, Ludo, Halma, Chess and my personal favorite, Froglet with dozens of online opponents. Instead I just shrugged, walked to my cubicle, clocked in and immediately typed BrainKing.com into my Internet browser.
I was introduced to BrainKing by a fellow online boardgamer who goes by the screen name “Hannelore.” At first I was intimidated by the huge menu on the left of the screen and the dozens of different games hosted on the site, most of which I had never heard of. I wanted to see all the site had to offer and had no idea where to click first. I started a game of Crowded Backgammon with Hannelore, who assured me that I’d soon get the hang of it.
Hundreds of games later, I am severely addicted. BrainKing is a turn-based site, meaning that you take your turns at your convenience and don’t have to actually be online at the same time as your opponents. However, if I can catch a quick-playing opponent online we will often finish a half or whole game in one sitting. If just playing fun board games wasn’t addictive enough, the site also offers discussion boards, tournaments and fellowships, which are clubs where members can join in even more discussion boards and tournaments. And to ensure that you will never, ever work, sleep or go outside for fresh air again, the beloved site creator, Filip Rachunek, who goes by the screen name “Fencer,” has recently introduced “action points,” a system in which you earn points for playing on the site. The top points earners each month win prizes to reward them for giving their lives up to BrainKing.
I am currently in the middle of about 350 games. That sounds like an insane amount of games to be playing at once until you look further and realize that there are some players with literally thousands of games being played. Rachunek has definitely found a way to tap into people’s love of competition, games and wasting time and has created something that people find irresistible. Honestly, who needs sleep when you can play Checkers with people halfway across the world?
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