Public forum discussion.
16 Aug 2023
https://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=2400382
My opponent made one move, I replied, then he timed out. The message I received said
"Game #2400382 is finished. ypercube vs. Ray Garrison ★ 0:2
Game #2400382 is finished.
ypercube vs. Ray Garrison ★ 0:2
Game was unrated."
Why was it unrated?
17 Aug 2023
A rule I'm pretty sure I've seen elsewhere (though it's been too long since I've seen it) is that a game only counts as rated after three moves have been played. I think Dragon Go Server is one place I remember that from, and Chess.com another.
As to why... I guess because the third move is the point at which it's clearly established both players are present and have seen each others' intent to play.
I know that three moves is considered a rated game, unfortunately even in the case of English Checkers championships, in which the first three moves are made by default.
17 Aug 2023
My guess is that "very short" games aren't rated anymore.
17 Aug 2023
As long as games with very short people still count, I'm in the clear.
17 Aug 2023
I had another game from same championship, same player, where he made two moves before timing out, and that game was rated. So maybe oakmoss is right, a game now has to last at least three moves?