33
votes
Accepted
Is it ethical to spar against an engine when playing correspondence?
Chess.com's site rules have the following to say:
You can NEVER use chess programs (Chessmaster, Fritz, etc) to analyze current ongoing games unless specifically permitted (such as a computer ...
- 694
14
votes
Are world-class correspondence games more likely to be drawn than world class OTB games?
Yes (actually, hell yes).
World class correspondence chess is very close to the infamous "draw death" of chess. If you thought 70-80% draw rate among the world elite at classical chess was ...
- 24.3k
12
votes
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Pros and cons of playing correspondence chess
According to friends who play correspondence chess they report the following benefits:
Variety - you play lots of games all at the same time. Although you might not match Claude Bloodgood, who ...
- 87.9k
12
votes
Is analysing moves on separate board in correspondence chess ethical?
Your question is a bit paradox: analyzing is the whole point of correspondence chess (and since strong engines exist, it is sort of a zombie). It is very unfortunate (and not your fault) that Lichess ...
- 13.7k
11
votes
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Mate Prevails - Chess Rule
If you make a checkmating move before your flag falls, but then your flag falls before you press the clock, you win. The relevant FIDE rules (emphasis mine) are:
5.1.a. The game is won by the player ...
- 14.8k
11
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Is it ethical to tell your opponent how you are going to checkmate them?
I don't know why anyone should be offended by this. We are talking about correspondence chess here, even if you play it using a web server instead of through the postal service! The rules of ...
- 10.4k
10
votes
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Can you use the copycat strategy in correspondence chess?
According to the USCF correspondence rules:
You may consult chess books and periodicals but not other players.
I would interpret this to mean that playing two opponents against each other would not ...
- 17.3k
9
votes
Computers in correspondence chess
As others have noted, in international correspondence play, conducted under the auspices of ICCF, computers are allowed. Correspondence chess has been an interesting battleground for this debate ...
- 91
9
votes
Does playing correspondence chess improve your game?
Whether or not playing correspondence chess will help you to improve depends a lot on how you play. If you move after a quick look at the position and use it more like a Blitz game with the ...
- 1,345
9
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Pros and cons of playing correspondence chess
Frankly, the biggest con is that today's correspondence game has turned into computer vs. computer contests. So yes, you learn how to use the computer well, but you may as well play your own computer ...
- 32.3k
8
votes
Is analysing moves on separate board in correspondence chess ethical?
In its FAQ, lichess explicitly states their rules for what they call "correspondence chess":
Is correspondence different from normal chess?
On Lichess, the main difference in rules for ...
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7
votes
Are world-class correspondence games more likely to be drawn than world class OTB games?
We can compile some "statistics" from the FICS games database. It doesn't have correspondence games, but it has a range of time controls and a range of ratings, so we can extrapolate a little bit. I'...
- 339
7
votes
Does playing correspondence chess improve your game?
A standard structure for a chess training program is broken down as follows:
Use a 4-day cycle.
Divide each day's chess time into 4 time units (the total of whatever time you can afford each day).
...
- 3,297
7
votes
Is it ethical to spar against an engine when playing correspondence?
In chess we have to find the best move to play. In order to achieve this, we calculate several moves ahead. By using a computer 'only for sparring' you're effectively limiting the depth of your search ...
- 219
7
votes
In what ways is it the best to use a computer in correspondence chess?
Obviously, as long as they are permitted within the rules of the organization, here is how I would use a computer.
First, realize that different programs are better at different things, and I will ...
- 32.3k
7
votes
Accepted
Pushing for Advantage with White in Correspondence chess
There is no doubt that this position is currently equal, and should end in a draw, but white has two pluses that are might make it worth playing on, at least for a while.
First, there e5 square, and ...
- 32.3k
6
votes
Accepted
Does anyone have the 1996 correspondence game between De Groot-Simmelink?
This question seems to have been answered by TD in ChessPub Forum. I post the answer below:
[fen ""]
[Date "1996"]
[Round "?"]
[White "De Groot, Adrianus Dingeman"]
[Black "Simmelink, Joop Theo"]
[...
- 3,253
6
votes
What is the status of correspondence chess?
Correspondence chess is still alive and well. Just as in the pre-engine days it is the branch of chess which comes closest to chess "truth".
Before the internet and strong chess engines ...
- 87.9k
6
votes
Which is better for an improving amateur to play even better: correspondence chess or faster time controls[both online]?
Correspondence chess will do more to improve the quality of your game. That is, your moves will be a lot more thoughtful and deliberate, and so will your opponent's. When you lose, it will probably be ...
- 12.4k
6
votes
Recommended software for ICCF play?
The best engine to use for analysis is most likely stockfish. Works with multiple procs, probably the strongest tactically. And as a bonus, it's free (but you should get a good UCI. I use Fritz UCI ...
- 376
6
votes
Accepted
Is it ethical to refer to opening book for the first few moves of a correspondence game?
Yes.
ICCF: Says nothing about it, or assistance of any kind, and you can even use computers legally. Here are their rules.
USCF: "3. You may consult chess books and periodicals but not other players....
- 32.3k
5
votes
Are there any websites that allow standard correspondence chess time controls?
ICCF is a non-free site that offers 'standard' correspondence chess. I believe they have free 'friendly' (non-rated) matches. Typical fees for 7 player tournaments are around $11USD last time I ...
- 111
5
votes
Are there any websites that allow standard correspondence chess time controls?
http://ChessTempo.com offers a wide choice of correspondence time controls including a fixed number of days per game, or increment after a move. Just check it out.
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What would approximately be the ICCF rating of a GM with no external help and of a computer with no human judgment?
I play on ICCF. My guess is that the engineless GM might be able to maintain a 2000 rating by beating other engineless players or players who are bad at engine use.
I don't think the second player ...
- 1,297
5
votes
Accepted
Could I have improved my position in this pawn up exchange Slav?
Your play was good, and you managed to slowly gain the upper hand from the more or less dead equal opening. At the end Rxe3 is forced, but after Qd2 I would have definitely considered Re4. You ...
- 19.6k
5
votes
Is it ethical to refer to opening book for the first few moves of a correspondence game?
Yes.
All correspondence chess always allowed written materials.
Now they may also allow computers, and AFAIK also do so as it would be impossible to know if someone was using one or not.
Many ...
- 3,813
5
votes
Accepted
Your time is up on an online correspondence game but your oponnent has only his king; is it a draw?
Note: This was answered before the OP edited the question, and specified it was an online competition.
According to ICCF (international) rules, yes, it is still a draw.
6.7 Except where one of the ...
- 32.3k
4
votes
Does playing correspondence chess improve your game?
Well, it will help you certainly. Try to analyze the position when your opponent play his move. Take your time and see if you can find out his plans and ideas that stand behind his moves. Howeverdon't ...
- 729
4
votes
Accepted
Database of correspondence games?
Maxwell,
Congrats on your request for finding correspondence games. These are pure gems as today you can expect these games to be examples of almost perfect chess (yes, all correspondence players ...
- 56
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