Okay, now I see that I've simply not noticed before now that there are TWO new ratings given after a rated game. The "rating," and then either a "blitz rating" or a "standard rating" depending on the time limit for the game.

I had noticed that my rating was changing by what appeared to be too little or too much after a rated game. And yes, I've played over 20 games rated now.

But it appears the program is tracking ratings depending on whether blitz or standard, and then you get sort of a general "rating" as well.

This also affects who I play when I select a random opponent for a rated game. It looks like my "rating" (neither blitz or standard) is what determines who I play, regardless of the time limit. Also, if the program is tracking different types of ratings, shouldn't we be able to see it somewhere without having to actually play a game and see what it is after the game?

Another thing affected by this (maybe) is the OPS or what is probably the opponents' average rating in Swiss Tournaments. It appears to be nonsense, but if some kind of hidden rating (for me) is being applied, then that could explain it.

Take another situation. Let's say I've played 100 blitz games, and 20 standard games. My "rating" (the general one) is going to be very skewed, and in this case probably worthless. Is there a real life rating system in the world that takes blitz and standard ratings and comes up with something out of a combination of the two? I doubt it.

I sure wish all this would be cleared up. If this program is tracking and storing information about these different ratings I have, it should be common sense to show it to me somewhere.

Suggestion: My blitz play is much worse than my standard play. So when I play against a random opponent in a rated game, the selection of the opponent should be dependent on whatever rating I have with the time control I'm setting for the game. Make sense?

The USCF rates games diffrently for blitz and standard time controls, as well as postal. Chessmaster seems to follow the USCF rating system pretty closely. You should have different ratings for blitz and standard time controls. If you need more info on how ratings work check out the USCF's web site. However you are right, the Chessmaster personalities should also have ratings for blitz time controls.

I'm having problems with the rating system as well. I play "bullet" games (I think also called quick games) which are faster than blitz. After every game it tells me how my bullet and overall rating has changed. The problem is, they always say the same number! I think this may be screwing up my ratings because it makes my overall rating conform to whatever speed I last played. I'm not sure on this last point but will check when I get home.

If you only play bullet games then of course your blitz rating is the same as (overall) rating.