The following document is only a summary. Please refer to our complete
set of Rules for a comprehensive and detailed account.
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|\_
/ .\_ * 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 7.1 * Updated: 27 Oct 2004
[_______] -----------------------------------------
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The International Email Chess Group (IECG) is one of the main chess
organizations 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.
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- Table of Contents -
1. What IECG is all about
2. Frequently asked questions
3. New entries, game reports, claims, etc.
4. IECG Contact List
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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 newcomers
to email and/or chess.
1.1 Free membership!
IECG Membership 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:
At the standard rate of play is 10 moves in 40 days :
* Quad tournaments (4 participants - 6 games to play)
* Class tournaments (7 participants - 6 games to play)
* Server tournaments (up to 13 participants - 12 games to play)
* IECG Cup tournament (open)
* IECG World Championship (invitational)
* Two-game matches
At a quick pace of play on the server (Fischer clock 10 days + 1 day/move) :
* Rapid tournaments (7 participants - 6 games to play)
1.3 Five rating categories are available for Class and Quads groups :
Class M: 2200 and higher
Class A: 2000-2199
Class B: 1800-1999
Class C: 1600-1799
Class D: 1400-1599
Class E: 1200-1399
Class F: 1000-1199
Class N: up to 999
Three rating categories are available for Rapid and Server groups :
Class H: 2000 and higher
Class I: 1600-1999
Class L: up to 1599
1.4 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.
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2. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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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 on-line 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 report a change in email address?
2.17 When I have finished a game, to whom will I send the result ?
2.18 Is possible to start playing more games or I shall finish first my
current games ?
2.19 In these tournaments, are all the games simultaneous? Would I have 6
games going at once in a Class Tournament?
2.20. I received the pairings and I have a question. What happens if I do
not check my mail one day and I see that the move was sent the day
before. Do I indicate that it took a day for me to respond even if I
respond as soon as I receive it?
2.21 Where can I get an update of my rating?
2.22 How to behave when Internet connection is lost?
2.1 What is IECG?
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The International Email Chess Group (IECG) is the largest international
email chess organization. Founded on 1994, IECG currently has over 12000
registered players at all playing levels - from grandmaster to novice - in
more than 80 countries, and the number is growing!
Every player regardless of strength receives an international Elo rating
based on his/her performance. These ratings are regularly updated, and all
players have access to on-line searchable rating lists and game databases.
There is of course a must for every potential IECG player: reading our Rules
and Regulations
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ALWAYS REMEMBER TO VISIT OUR WEB SITE FOR LAST-MINUTE INFORMATION !!!!
URL : http://www.iecg.org
***********************************************************************
In addition, interesting information is published electronically and
submitted to our members through the IECG mailing list.
All of the activities described above have been implemented and maintained
through the efforts of a team of very dedicated and highly motivated
IECG volunteers. They are all listed in our Contact page.
Again, 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?
ANSWER: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 in a permanent way.
2.3 What are the goals of IECG?
ANSWER: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 other on-line chess servers ?
ANSWER: On January 7, 2003, IECG launches the server tournaments in cooperation
with ChessFriend.com. This service allows IECG members to play for free on
a web interface that will allow them to make moves with a graphical interface,
and to have the housekeeping work done by the server (managing the clocks,
sending the move to the opponent, making the result report to the TS ...).
2.5 What is the cooperation between the IECG and the ICCF?
ANSWER:The volunteer-based IECG group won praise from the ICCF leadership
for its work in popularizing international email correspondence chess.
Both organizations shared friendly relations, but no effective agreement
has been signed.
2.6 How to become an IECG Member!
ANSWER:All prospective members must complete the mandatory IECG training/
evaluation (T/E) program. This program involves a game played against one
of our tutors. The game does not need to be completed to achieve "promotion",
since the tutor will always be able to determine the appropriate moment for
this. 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 he/she may ask IECG to by-pass the T/E program towards
their full membership.
Players with officially established ratings with another organization will be
able to play rated games after the T/E phase with a starting rating that
corresponds to the one they achieved in these other organization. Those with no
established rating will be offered to start playing rated competitions right
away with the initial rating of 800.
For further info and to register, please contact our Registration Office (see
below). If you are writing to register as a new member of IECG, or if
you already were a member of "old IECG" and have lost touch and wish to
re-join, please visit our web-page at
http://www.iecg.org/Register.htm.
While you are at it please take the time to download and read (you can always
do it on-line, of course!) our information files.
In the unlucky case where someone should have no WWW access, please do as follows:
Send the registration request to:
Dr. Albrecht Fester (GER) registration@iecg.org
You may use the following Registration Form for your convenience:
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Registration Form
IECG - International Email Chess Group
Last & First Name:
Email Address :
Country :
Date of Birth : / / (mm/dd/yy)
Your chess history: (please detail in which organizations you played,
current national or international rating and any relevant information
about your chess strength).
Current Date: / /
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In any case we strongly recommend that you read our information files and at
least have a look at our rules before you register. This may avoid you
unnecessary headaches and/or disappointments, and of course it will also
considerably help our staff of volunteers, not to mention the fact that you
will have a better idea of what kind of chess organization you are joining.
2.7 What algorithm is used to determine player ratings?
ANSWER:(see the Rules document for more detailed information)
1) New Players with a rating from a different organization get an initial
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 initial rating of 800.
3) If the player thinks that the initial rating should be higher, then more detailed
information on the chess history needs to be supplied on the
registration form.
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 more stable
system, similar to the one used by ICCF.
http://www.iecg.org/Ratinfo.htm
(contains a list of all interesting information about rating)
http://www.iecg.org/Ratsear.htm
(the link to the searchable rating list)
For questions about your rating, write to the following address:
rating@iecg.org
2.8 New players frequently ask: "What is a recommended number of games
to carry at the beginning?"
ANSWER: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?
ANSWER: The IECG World Championship runs in steps: IECG WCh Preliminaries
and 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 (for more
details see our online document on the WCh).
The 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 3 years to complete.
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 (see 1.3 above).
Server tournaments are organized in three main rating categories, and
they hold 13 participants - so there are 12 simultaneous games to play. This
kind of tournament is available only to members who have at least finished
10 rated games within IECG. They are aplyed via a web interface on the
ChessFriend.com site.
Rapid tournaments are organized in three main rating categories, and
they are seven-player single round groups. The specifics of rapid groups
is the fast pace of play : 10 days + 1 day/move (Fischer clock).
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.
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?
ANSWER: 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 tdquad@iecg.org
2.11 Am I going to get flagged if I am confronted with other commitments?
ANSWER: 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, an exam, a vacation or family problem.
You will not get flagged if you advise your opponents *in advance*, requesting
an adjournment (leave), with a copy of that message sent to your tournament
secretary (TS).
In short, adjournments are permissible if the TS is notified in advance,
and if the notification is confirmed. Before withdrawing from an IECG
event please try to request a leave. You have the right to use up to 30 days
a year. Then, if you should still have troubles, please notify your
Tournament Secretary and your opponents of your withdrawal.
2.12 How do I blow the whistle on someone who won't move?
ANSWER: Please read IECG Rules and Regulations document, depending
on what event your are taking part. In short, prior to making a complaint:
- Repeat your last message to your opponent after 10 days of silence, with copy
to your Tournament Secretary
- If no answer or receipt acknowledgment was received after 10 more days,
(thus making 20 days without any move) contact immediately 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,
number of repeat messages sent, reflection time documentation, and complete record
of moves/times/dates.
2.13 How do we resolve typographical errors? (touch-move?)
ANSWER: When playing in a two-game match or in a multiplayer tournament and
in case of disagreement, notify your tournament secretary (TS). Send copies of
move transmissions indicating the error.
2.14 Where can I get IECG information via www?
ANSWER: All IECG information (the rules of play, games database, tournament tables ...)
can be obtained from our official web site: http://www.iecg.org
2.15 How do I use the automated routines for requesting more action?
ANSWER: Our web site offers an automatic procedure to enter our events.
2.16 How do I report a change in email address?
ANSWER: Please click the link below:
IECG Address Change
copy/paste the following form into the message body, fill the data and send.
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MEMBER ID:
LAST NAME:
FIRST NAME:
COUNTRY:
OLD EMAIL ADDRESS:
NEW EMAIL ADDRESS:
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2.17.When I have finished a game, to whom will I send the result ?
ANSWER: Mail it to the Tournament Secretary showed in the "start list" of
your section.
2.18. Is possible to start playing more games or I shall finish first my
current ones ?
ANSWER: Yes, it is possible. You can enter more events if you wish.
2.19.In these tournaments, are all the games simultaneous? Would I have 6
games going at once in a Class Tournament?
ANSWER: Yes, all games are being played at the same time. You will be playing
6 games at the same time if you have entered a Class or Quad event.
2.20. I received the pairings. What happens if I do not check my mail one
day and I see that the move was sent the day before. Do I indicate that it
took a day for me to respond even if I respond as soon as I receive it?
ANSWER: The playing rules are clear enough: a player can not "stop" their
clock by not reading his email messages. If you don't read your email during
a week, then, you shall charge those days to your time-account.
2.21 Where can I get an update of my rating?
ANSWER:Visit http://www.iecg.org/Ratsear.htm for a searchable rating
list. Besides, when you starts a new event, the "pairings" contains your
most updated rating.
2.22.How to behave when Internet connection is lost?
ANSWER:In case of lost of email connection, please CONTACT IECG using a
friend's email account or a public Internet access. If you simply
"disappear", then severe penalties could apply.
3. COMMUNICATION CHECKLIST
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3.1 How to enter IECG activities:
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FASTEST AND PREFERRED WAY: Through the WWW at
IECG Tournament Entry Form
BY EMAIL: Use the following form, and mail it to the right address
(multiple entries or different type of tournaments requires multiple
forms)
BEGIN TOURNAMENT
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IECG ID Number (important!) :
First and last names :
Email address :
Country :
I wish to join a tournament: (insert an X)
( ) Class Tournament,7 players,6 games -> mail to Jean-Luc Duriez
( ) Server Tournament,13 players,12 games -> mail to Ortwin Paetzold
( ) Rapid Class Tournament,7 players,6 games -> mail to Ortwin Paetzold
( ) Two games matches -> mail to Joe Deidun
( ) Quads, 4 players, double round robin -> mail to Richard Kyllo
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END TOURNAMENT
Find the addresses of the Tournament Directors at our Contact page
3.2 REPORTING GAME RESULTS
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After finishing a game ,send a report to the Tournament Secretary (name and
address are listed in the "start list" you've received before starting to
play the games). He is an example of such a report :
Subject: GAME REPORT
My opponent email address is: .......
[Event "CA-2002-0-00070"] (correct event number: is it given in the starting list)
[Site "IECG"]
[Date "2002.08.15"] (official start date of the tournament - see the starting list)
[Round "1"] (round number: important matches and quads, otherwise leave "1"!)
[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
In two game matches, where you might have to report two moves belonging to two different
games, please use the above format repeating it twice, once for each game (of course
you can send both moves in the same email message).
All reports *not* in this format will give more work to our Tournament
Secretaries, and cause a delay in the rating system.
There are several useful programs *freeware or shareware* you can use
for storing email games, time-keeping and to submit PGN reports. The following
are just suggestions. You can find several more by web-browsing:
ECTOOL : Excellent email chess manager for Windows. Download
freeware/shareware versions at http://www.ectool.nu
ChessBase Lite : Free limited version of ChessBase, one of the best chess database
manager in the world. Visit http://www.chessbase.com
3.3 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 with copy to your TS within 10 (ten) days of receiving your TS
decision. The Appeal Instance ruling is *final*.
3.4 ALL OTHER COMMUNICATION
Please send all other communications to our chair person.
This includes specific problems/situations not covered by the above,
or troubles contacting your Tournament Secretary.
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4. IECG CONTACT LIST
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Please refer to the updated Contact List on
this web server.
(c) 2004 International Email Chess Group (IECG)
Last modified on October 27, 2004
Back to the IECG Homepage