LAGCOMPENSATION

***** Flexible Lag Compensation *****

The Flexible Lag Compensation system is designed to make games more
competitive by compensating clocks for average lag ("help lag"), but
not returning excessive lag time to the clock.  This helps avoid
uncomfortable (and seemingly unfair) playing conditions, where a
player develops excessive lag during a game, prolonging the agreed
upon time control and disrupting the flow of a game.

This system is only active during pool games and prize tournaments.
Regular games on ICC are not affected by Lag compensation.

During pool games and prize tournaments, you will be compensated 
for up to two seconds (2000 milliseconds) of lag per move.  If your 
lag is less than two seconds, as it is for 98% or 99% of players, 
none of the lag will be charged to your clock. If it exceeds two 
seconds during any move, your first two seconds of lag time is "free" and 
any additional lag time will be charged to your clock.

The Flexible Lag Compensation system is adjustable,  allowing for
unusual cases where there is a reasonable need to be more lenient or
more strict. One example is that during major prize tournaments, lag
is currently only compensated to 300 milliseconds, which helps to
avoid a situation where one player out of 500 with computer problems
can delay the end of each round for all other players, while
receiving no penalty himself.

To check your current lag, to see if your lag is within the
acceptable range, use the "ping" command. ("help ping"). To check the
average lag for all members connected to ICC, use the "lagstats"
command. ("help lagstats"). You can find other useful information about
lag, and how to reduce your own lag in "help lag".

If you are experiencing higher than normal lag,  playing a longer
time control, or a time control with increments will help ensure that
your excessive lag does not negatively affect you and result in a
loss on time.