==================================================================== |\_ / .\_ * I E C G * I N F O R M A T I O N * | ( ___) Frequently Asked Questions About the | \ International Email Chess Group | | ----------------------------------------- /_____\ Version 4.52 * Updated: 01 Dec 1996 [_______] ----------------------------------------- ==================================================================== "The International Email Chess Group, IECG, is one of main chess organization in the world. Since 1994 it has provided Internet users with the opportunity to play rated email chess games with people all over the world for free. As of May 1996 IECG comprises 3800 players in 70 countries around the world. Welcome to IECG!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - Table of Contents - 1. What IECG is all about 2. Frequently asked questions 3. New entries, game reports, claims,etc 4. IECG Contact List ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. WHAT IECG IS ALL ABOUT ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This section briefly describes some of the key aspects of the IECG, such as free membership, the types of tournaments and events that are offered, rating classes, how to join and information for new- comers to email and/or chess. 1.1 Free membership! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Membership in the IECG is open to all. Participation in the IECG programs and events is free of charge. 1.2 IECG offers the following forms of chess competition: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- * Single-game introduction matches * Two-game matches * Quad tournaments * Class tournaments * IECG Cup tournament * IECG World Championship Invitational Rate of play is 10 moves in 30 days for Two-game matches , 10 moves in 40 days for all other multi-player tournaments. 1.3 Ten rating classes are available: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Senior Master: 2400+ Master: 2200-2399 Expert: 2000-2199 Class A: 1800-1999 Class B: 1600-1799 Class C: 1400-1599 Class D: 1200-1399 Class E: 1000-1199 Class F: 0- 999 Class G: unrated 1.7 Pairings in two-game matches ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note that in mini two-game matches you may be paired above or below your category, within a 200-250 point rating differential. Example: A player rated 2050 may be paired against a player rated 1850. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1 What is IECG? 2.2 What is the purpose of the IECG? 2.3 What are the goals of IECG? 2.4 What relation does IECG have with online chess servers? 2.5 What is the cooperation between ICCF and IECG? 2.6 HOW TO BECOME an IECG member !! 2.7 What algorithm is used to determine player ratings? 2.8 What is a good number of games to start? 2.9 What are the championship and class tournaments? 2.10 What if I wish to play in a Quad Tournament? 2.11 Am I going to get flagged if I must temporarily suspend play because of other commitments? 2.12 How do I blow the whistle on someone who won't move? 2.13 How do we resolve typographical errors? (touch-move?) 2.14 Where can I get IECG information via www, ftp or email? 2.15 How do I use the automated routines for requesting more action? 2.16 How do I use the automated routines for reporting game results? 2.17 How do I report a change in email address? 2.1 What is IECG? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The International Email Chess Group (IECG) is the largest international email chess organization. In early 1994, about a dozen chessplayers met via email to form the International Email Chess Group. Since that time IECG has experienced phenomenal growth. We currently have over 3200 registered players at all playing levels - from grandmaster to novice - in 68 countries, and the number is growing daily. The range and sophistication of our tournaments and services has expanded along with the membership base. For example, we now offer a complete range of tournaments and matches to suit players of all strengths. Every player regardless of strength receives an international Elo rating based on his performance. These ratings are regularly updated, and all players have access to on-line searchable ratings and games databases. IECG documents, the Quick Guide and Official Rules and Regulations are available via "autoresponders" and can be retrieved from anywhere in the world by sending email as follows: IECG Quick Guide => iecg@mailback.com IECG Rules (for matches) => rules@alvarez.satlink.net IECG Tournament Rules => t-rules@alvarez.satlink.net IECG Algebr. Notation and Move Transm. => algebra@alvarez.satlink.net IECG Reflection Time made easy => reftime@alvarez.satlink.net In addition, a monthly IECG Bulletin is published electronically and submited to our members through the IECG mailing list. All of the activities described above have been implemented and maintained through the efforts of a small team of very dedicated and highly motivated IECG volunteers. IECG membership is open to all. There is no membership fee, nor are there any fees to participate in our expanding range of tournaments, nor to take advantage of our ever-widening range of special services. 2.2 What is the purpose of the IECG? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To continue to provide chessplayers throughout the world with the opportunity to compete and meet new chess friends in the context of an organization that does not require fees for membership and the rating of games. Players are required to have their own access to Internet, or the ability to use the Internet address of a friend. 2.3 What are the goals of IECG? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The goals of the IECG are two-fold: (a) to fully staff IECG with capable volunteers - including trainers for those new to chess via email - so that the chess-via-Internet community can continue to enjoy the benefits of this service; and (b) to gain further recognition in the world's chess community so that all members can enjoy that measure of status of belonging to an international chess organization. 2.4 What is the relation between IECG and the online chess servers ? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- None, at this moment. 2.5 What is the cooperation between the IECG and the ICCF? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- At the International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF) Congress in Gjovik, Norway, 2-9 September 1995, the ICCF and the IECG concluded an agreement providing for a program of cooperation between the two organizations in the promotion of international email correspondence chess. The volunteer-based IECG group won praise from the ICCF leadership for its work in popularizing international email correspondence chess, noting that the 'ICCF recognizes the rapid progress which IECG have achieved in developing a service to chessplayers worldwide using email, and is pleased to join in partnership with them to promote all forms of correspondence chess'. 2.6 How to become an IECG Member ! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- All prospective members must complete the mandatory IECG training/ evaluation (T/E) program. This program involves a complete email 2-game match, played against a selected opponent (typically another prospective member) under the helpful supervision of an IECG volunteer trainer. Even stronger players/masters find the T/E program beneficial, as the mandatory T/E match provides them with the opportunity to review carefully the unique aspects of chess-by-email in an unrated setting. If a player can document substantial chess-by-email playing experience when joining IECG, then player may petition the IECG to omit the T/E program from their membership requirements. Players with officially established ratings with other organizations will be able to play rated games after the T/E phase. Those with no established rating will be asked to play four (4) further rated games against rated opponents, as this will help to give them a more reliable provisional rating. The unique IECG training/evaluation program is perhaps one of the reasons that there are so few dropouts or 'silent withdrawals' from IECG events. For further info and to register, please contact our Tutorial Office at: . We have tutors in several languages! 2.7 What algorithm is used to determine player ratings? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- * Formulas are similar to those used by ICCF. Please note: National ratings -- with appropriate conversions -- can apply. A new "rating scheme" was approved by the IECG Council. Details will be available soon through an email robot autoresponder. In short: 1) New Players with a rating from a different organisation get a starting rating according to the list in the new rating scheme document (mainly as is, ICCF members get an established rating). 2) New Players without a rating start with an entry or starting rating of 800. 3) If the player thinks his rating should be higher, he can select to play a Rating tournament (four games) only for getting a better (or worse!) starting rating. While he /she plays in a Rating Tournament, cannot enter other IECG events like class, cup, two-games or quads. 4) The rating calculations are not made "game per game" but in "batch mode", taking the results of a player over a period of 2 months (or more). This will reduce "fluctuations", and it will give us a statistically stabler system, similar to the one used by ICCF. 2.8 New players frequently ask: "What is a recommended number of games to carry at the beginning?" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The question of how many games to play at one time from the beginning is difficult to answer without knowing the amount of available free time, the level of other commitments and the threshold of stress of the player. One suggestion is to start with one, two, or even three two-game matches. After such games completion, you will have a more exact idea about your needs, and how much time you spent in the email games. 2.9 What are the championship, cup and class tournaments? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- IECG World Championship Invitational -- runs in a two steps cicle: IECG WCh Semifinal - invitations are extended winners in Class M of Class tournaments and Quads M tournaments to play a 7-player (or 9-, or 11-) single round group, and the IECG Wch Final, with players qualified from IECG WCh Semifinals and first placed in the previous final. IECG World Championship Invitational I, which began on 15 January 1996, is a nine-player single round robin event, and within a high- quality staff of players, there are several International Grand Masters of Correspondence Chess (ICCF). IECG Cup tournament -- available annually is a cycle of tournaments, open to all members, consisting of preliminary round(s), and leading to the final round in the form of 7-player (or 9-, or 11-) single round groups. A cycle typically takes two years to completion. IECG Cup I, which began play on 15 September 1995, had 203 participants from 34 countries in 29 sections. IECG Cup I semifinal started with 63 players in several sections on 15 September 1996. IECG Cup II began on early November 1996 with 273 players!, in 39 sec- tions. Class tournaments -- on a continuing basis, seven-player single round tournaments are started as soon as valid groups of seven players are formed in their respective tournament classes: ---rating--- class M 2200 and higher class 1 1800 - 2199 class 2 1400 - 1799 class 3 1000 - 1399 class N up to 999. Promotions/demotions to adjacent tournament classes are based on ratings and tournament results. Quad tournaments -- on a continuing basis, 4 players double round tournaments are started as soon as valid groups of four players are formed in their respective tournament classes: ---rating--- class M 2200 and higher class 1 1800 - 2199 class 2 1400 - 1799 class 3 1000 - 1399 class N up to 999. Promotions/demotions to adjacent tournament classes are based on ratings and tournament results. 2.10 What if I wish to play in a quad tournament? ------------------------------------------------- IECG quads are 4-player *double round robin* mini-tournaments. Each player plays two games against each opponent, one as white and one as black. For further details, please contact Richard Kyllo 2.11 Am I going to get flagged if I am confronted with other commitments ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Players often ask if they are going to get flagged when confronted with major events and/or unexpected changes in their lives, such as a job-change, a-big-project, an-exam, a-week's-vacation or family-crisis. You will not get flagged if you advise your opponents *in advance*, requesting an adjournment, with a copy of that message sent to your Class tournament secretary (TS) In short, adjourments are permissible IF the TD or TS is notified in advance, and the notification is confirmed. 2.12 How do I blow the whistle on someone who won't move? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Please read the IECG Rules of Play or IECG Tournament Rules, depending what event your are taking part. In short, prior to making a complaint, you need: - Repeat your last message to your opponent ! - If no answer or receipt acknowledgement was received after 7 more days, please contact *your Tournament Secretary* To expedite processing of your claim, provide full details, including match type, match number, opponent's name and email address, nature of claim, agreed pace (if applicable), number of repeat messages sent, reflection time documentation, and complete record of moves. The following form may be used for your convenience. ====================================================================== * IECG Forfeit/Cancel claim * ====================================================================== Match Type : [ ] Training game [ ] Two-Game match [ ] Quad Tournament [ ] Class Tournament [ ] Cup Tournament Match Number : Opponent's name : Opponent's email : Nature of claim : [ ] Forfeit [ ] Cancel [ ] Other: Agreed pace : [ ] Snoozer [ ] Semi-Frantic [ ] Frantic [ ] Other: Number of repeats send : Please include your game score below, including the names of who is playing white and black, and documentation for reflection time used by both players. ====================================================================== ** The previous form *must* to be send your Tournament Secretary (TS). If you take a few minutes to fill out the form, your TS will act faster! 2.13 How do we resolve typographical errors? (touch-move?) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- When playing in a two-game match or in a multi-player tournament, notify your tournament secretary. (TS). Send copies of move transmissions indicating the error. 2.14 Where can I get IECG information via www, ftp or email? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional IECG information, including the IECG games database in portable game notation (PGN) and Chessbase formats, can be obtained from these sources: 1. Chess WWW server http://www.ub.uit.no/chess/ 2. By e-mail using the "autoresponders" quoted above. 3. ftp.pitt.edu/group/chess/NEWS/ files named iecg... 2.15 How do I use the automated routines for requesting more action? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The system is under construction. Please *do not use* the former automated routines !! 2.16 How do I use the automated routines for reporting game results? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The system is under construction. Please *do not use* the former automated routines !! 2.17 How do I report a change in email address? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Please send the following info to: elvis@giga.com.ar LAST & FIRST NAME: NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: YOUR COUNTRY: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. COMMUNICATION CHECKLIST ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1 REQUESTS FOR ENTRY INTO NEW QUAD SECTIONS *ONLY FOR IECG MEMBERS* Please send all requests for entry into new Quad sections to TD for Quads Richard Kyllo REQUESTS FOR ENTRY INTO ALL OTHER EVENTS *ONLY FOR IECG MEMBERS* Please send requests for entry into 2-game matches or class or other tournaments to using the following form: BEGIN TOURNAMENT ---------------------------------------------------------------------- First & Last name : Email address : Country: I wish to join a tournament: (put an X in your class) ( ) Class Tournament, 7 players, 6 games ( ) Two games matches ----------------------------------------------------------------------- END TOURNAMENT 3.3 REPORTING GAME RESULTS -------------------------- Send reports *only* to the appropriate Tournament Secretary. You can see a lot of examples in the present newsletter (PGN games) IMPORTANT: For registering results, the winner (the player with white for draw) needs to report: a) gamescores in PGN format (according to the example below) ,b) results,c) the IECG Tournament or Quad name or 2-Games-Match-Number", d) email address of *both* chessplayers. Subject: GAME REPORT My opponent email address is: <...@...> [Event "1.017"] correct event name and number: this example [Site "IECG"] refers to Class 1 #017 [Date "1996.11.27"] date of completion of game: very important! [Round "1"] round number: very important for 2 game events! [White "Alvarez, Roberto"] [Black "Paetzold, Ortwin"] [Result "1-2-1/2"] or 1-0, 0-1 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 1/2-1/2 All reports *not* in this format will give more work to our Tournament Secretaries, and cause a delay in the rating system. ***** HINTS ****** Please, help your TS in the following way: - Send gamescores & results in the right format ! - Send him the email addresses of your opponents! There are several useful programs *freeware or shareware* you can use for storing email games, time-keeping and to submit PGN reports: (free demos availables through ftp.pitt.edu/group/chess) ECTOOL v.1.60 : A Windows 3.1/Windows 95 program, very nice interface, stores current/finished email games. Exports to PGN notation, sends messages on-line, allows to send IECG tournament entry forms. Absolutely IECG compliant. Contact: avalverde@redestb.es (IECG member) http://www.redestb.es/personal/avalverde CHESS RECORDER : Windows 3.1 software, Shareware.Demo Available through ftp.pitt.edu/group/chess\UTILS FILEMATE : Windows 3.1 or higher. 74401.3055@compuserve.com DBSCHESS 1.7 : Windows 3.1. 4 language options. For more info: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/DBSugden And some commercial ones,which of course, have many more features! Rebel 8.0 http://www.xs4all.nl/~rebchess/ email: rebchess@xs4all.nl MChess PRO 6.0 email: mchesspro@aol.com BOOKUP http://www.coil.com/~bookup/ email: bookup@coil.com 3.4 CLAIMS REQUIRING ARBITRATION All claims requiring arbitration should be sent to your Tournament Secretary (TS). If you do not agree with your TS decision, you can write to the Appeal Instance within 10 (ten) days of receiving your TS decision. The Appeal Instance ruling is *definitive* 3.5 ALL OTHER COMMUNICATION Please send all other communications to This includes specific problems/situations not covered by the above, or troubles contacting your Tournament Secretary. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. IECG CONTACT LIST ---------------------------------------------------------------------- IECG Council Roberto Alvarez (ARG) roberto@alvarez.satlink.net John Bartkiw (CAN) bartkiw@gaul.csd.uwo.ca Ian Brooks (ENG) all4two@fast.net Sergio Cuniolo (ITA) sergio@sia.cise.it Robert Dournes (FRA) dournesr@micronet.fr John Head (USA) wallaby@exis.net Richard Kyllo (CAN) rkyllo@mts.net Mats Larsson (SWE) matsl@axis.se Thayne MacLean (CAN) thayne@ra.isisnet.com Vania Mascioni (SUI) vania@uts.cc.utexas.edu Juan Morgado (ARG) juan.morgado@alvarez.satlink.net Artur Mrugala (CAN) artur@superiway.net Ortwin Paetzold (GER) ortwin@bonsai.cologne.de Filiberto Pivirotto (ITA) fpivirot@ouverture.it Pierandrea Rosso (ITA) pierosso@tigullio.liguria.it Pedro Taboada (CHI) ptaboada@cmetnet.cmet.net IECG Secretary: Roberto Alvarez (ARG) ===================================== IECG World Championship I ========================= Tournament Secretary: Pedro Hegoburu (ARG) Appeal Instance : Alan Rawlings (ENG) IECG Class M ***New Tournament Secretary**** ============ Tournament Secretary: Filiberto Pivirotto (ITA) or fpivirot@mare.gol.grosseto.it IECG Class 1 ============ for tournaments up to # 057 : Tournament Secretary Sergio Cuniolo (ITA) beginning with # 058 : John A Head (USA) IECG Class 2 ***New Tournament Secretary*** ============ "odd" groups (1,15,27) Robert Dournes (FRA) "even" groups (2,16,28) Roberto Alvarez (ARG) IECG Class 3 ============ for *odd* Groups (1,3,5,etc): Tournament Secretary: Ian Brooks (ENG) for *even* (2,4,6,etc): ***New address**** Tournament Secretary: Arthur Mrugala (CAN) IECG Class N ============= for *odd* Groups (1,3,5,etc): Tournament Secretary: John Bartkiw (CAN) http://gaul.csd.uwo.ca:8080/~bartkiw/chess.html for *even* (2,4,6,etc): Tournament Secretary: Pedro Taboada (CHI) IECG Cup ======== Tournament Secretary: Pierandrea Rosso (ITA) http://www.split.it/users/pierosso/index/htm Quad Tournaments ================ Tournament Secretary: Richard Kyllo (CAN) 2-Game Matches ============== Tournament Secretary: Roberto Alvarez (ARG) (matches started under "old" IECG) (starting with #12000) : Thayne MacLean (CAN) Tutorial Program ================ We need experienced volunteers in this section to work as tutors so that new members can be admitted faster. Please contact (in English, Italian, French or German) Vania Mascioni (SUI) Rating tournamens for newcommers: Klaus Kluge (GER) ================================ Appeal Instance : Bjoern Gambaeck (SWE) ================= Rating Office: ***New Address*** ============== Ortwin Paetzold (GER) Archivist: Donald Camper (USA) ========= Adjudicator: Mats Larson (SWE) =========== Advisor: GM Juan Morgado ======= -------------------------------------------------------------------- IECG - International Email Chess Group ==================================================================== (c) 1996 International Email Chess Group (IECG) ---------- For details on the autoreply service used to deliver this message, send email to the autoresponder address INFO@MAILBACK.COM.