I play there every now and then. It's been so long I don't even know if my account has expired though. I get in these states and then I play there for 10 hours a day and then don't return for 6 months. From what I can remember, the transaction is totally secure, but don't take my word for it.
They must be losing many subs.Out of all the mobile platforms that offer online play, only FICS and ICC have jumped on board and have apps for iphone,android,WM, with there being many to choose from for each platform.Try playing online chess at PlayChess with a mobile-phone and you are stuck with the old beta fritz mobile for symbian systems.I now play 95% of my time online using a mobile device.One way to get an idea if numbers are falling is to seek a game or look at the seeks, over the years I have noticed that ICC takes much longer to find an opponent, where as FICS has remained constant or a little bit faster.
Playchess is run by ChessBase, who're based in Hamburg, Germany. So I don't think you will be ripped off if you pay via CC.
As with most companies who sell real goods, they will make more money by staying honest.
I ordered there quite often and payed via Direct Debit, which means they have my banking connection. Despite that, they haven't fraudulently emptied my bank account yet (-:
Moreover, once your private data and CC number are transmitted they are subject to the very rigid German data privacy law, as well as the CC specific PCI Data Security Standard, which all major CC organisations require their participants to adhere to.
Not sure why there appears to be such a rush on here to criticise Chessbase or Playchess.com ?? I have been playing on Playchess.com for over 7 years both in engine and human play and in my opinion it is an excellent chess server, and I much prefer the GUI and facilities to any of the alternatives. The 12 month standard serial is good value and payment is secure and safe - you can pay using credit card or Paypal and get your serial by immediate return email.
