In Superchess, while promoting a pawn, it is only allowed to promote to an available piece. That means either a piece that has been captured earlier in the game, or a FIDE piece that you didn't use because it was replaced by a variant piece.
Per game or variant this should be stated explicitly, to what extent you are allowed to promote to any piece you like.
I do wonder how all these games affect the server and database of chess.com. Lots of threads, lots of posts exceeding the avarage number of posts per thread, and especially lots of pictures representing the positions.
With more games going on it became necessary to keep track of my ongoing games separately, in order not to forget any of them where it's my move.
I think the rules should be updated to allow vacation time (not sure of exact rules) and that waiting for a board update does not count towards the time to move. Not sure if it should be required to make a post requesting a board update within the allowed time or what the rules should be exactly.
I agree, there are a few situations where rules aren't clearly defined.
One is vacation time. I'm assuming none is allowed unless the players agree beforehand. But we can change that if another way is better.
Another is who is allowed to call for a time warning. Obviously either player can do it. But we should probably also explicitly say that a game director or moderator can give a warning too (for situations where both players are lazy, and others are waiting for the result).
Also, at the start of each game, it is probably a good idea to say who is responsible for posting the diagrams (and can time warnings be issued if a move has been played, but no board posted)?
When I moderate a game for others, I make it clear that time waiting for a board does not count toward the 3-day limit.
These are all situations that aren't explicitly stated, but I usually assume to be part of the rules. Other comments welcome.
I think vacation time is more or less gentlemans agreement or an unspoken rule right now. If someone says they will be gone for 5 days and the opponent says he never agreed to vacation time and want to be declared a win (or give a timeout warning after 3 days to be more exact), then claiming win can seem like a bad sportsmanship. I don't think it is bad sportmanship, but since most people probably think vacation time is allowed by default, it is probably better to have vacation time allowed by default.
When it comes to timeout warnings, I agree the moderator should be able to give timeout warnings and also the TD of a tournament if it is a tournament game or a member of the Committee if it is a Challenger game.
Something not discussed yet: does a (non-posting) opponent have a right to see the board after every move, and who to post?
imo, I think at least 2 plies (1 white move, 1 black move) should be enough to request a board update. Less than that does not sound necessary.
Thanks Martin0, how about we add these new rules:
Vacation time: Each player may once per 40 moves, take four vacation days (added to the 3-day move limit, for a total of 7 days for a move). The player must announce it before using the extra time. Every 40 moves, vacation time is "refreshed" (another 4 day vacation time is allowed). Vacation days cannot be banked.
Time warnings: Warnings may be called by either player. Tournament directors may also issue time warnings. A member of the bulldog chess federation may also issue warnings for prize games (candidate and challenge games). Same rules apply to game forfeits (games called due to a time violation).
Board updates: Unless otherwise agreed, one player in each game should post a board update, or a board should be provided by someone who has agreed to moderate the game. Either player has a right to request a board once per move (2 plies). If a board has not been posted which is at most 1-ply from the current position, and a player requests to see a board, time waiting for the board does not count as playing time.
I consider time warnings, and board updates to be in effect immediately (formalize current practice).
If there are no comments or protests, the vacation time rule will be regarded as in effect starting May 14, including games already in progress.
I guess that would mean the moderator doing board updates for a game can not call a timeout warning? I would not mind that actually, but just an observation that is far from obvious.
Not sure what the best rules are for vacation time. I would like to hear more opinions about that before deciding. Other than that I like the new rules though
Refreshing every 40 moves would mean you can use vacation time both before and after 40 moves.
I would probably allow for more vacation time though. Like 7 days instead of 4 (so 10 days if you include the time/move).
ICCF rules for correspondence chess are here: https://www.iccf.com
It used to be that notation in ICCF postal games was numeric rather than algebraic, but I see that this has been changed this year so that players can agree on a notation.
1. You may consult chess books, periodicals, and written online resources.
2. You may not use computer programs or endgame tablebases unless you and your opponent have agreed to prior to the game.
3. You may not consult other players for advice unless you and your opponent have agreed to prior to the game.
4. Announce moves using algebraic notation unless you and your opponent agree to another system. Ensure there is a non-ambiguous designation for each piece (i.e "Ar = Archbishop, Ad = Advisor").
5. Some variants may have other rules which require supplemental information. In these cases include information to ensure the declared move is clear and non-ambiguous. Example: A variant may have the king and queen starting in reversed positions compared to FIDE chess, so when castling it may be necessary to add information such as "28.0-0-0 (long side castle)", to ensure it is not taken as a queen-side castle.
30.Rd8
conditional:
If...RxR then 31.QxR
As with any other move, conditional moves are binding and cannot be changed. The opponent may reply to the entire sequence, or he may play each move at normal time control.
9. Missing or mistaken announcement of check, capture, or "e.p." does not invalidate a move.
10. A declared move may be accepted as valid if it has capitization errors but is otherwise non-ambiguous. (example: 12.B3 may be interpreted as 12.b3, a pawn move).
11. A move announcement has priority over any commentary submitted with a move.
14. If your opponent submits a diagram along with the move notation, check the diagram for correctness before proceeding. If the diagram has an error, notify your opponent. A valid move notation has priority over a diagram. An error in a diagram is not by itself a reason to disqualify a game if all posted moves are legal. Play continues even if a diagram has an error for any number of moves. (Therefore if you are using an opponent's posted diagram it is important to check it for correctness before using it).
15. Time control: Three days maximum per move, unless agreed otherwise. Once notified of an illegal or ambiguous move, the time spent correcting or clarifying the move must be within the three day day limit. If your opponent has not announced his move within the three day limit, request a reply. If a legal move is not announced within one extra day (24 hours), your opponent is a "no show" and he/she has forfeited the game. A maximum of three time-warnings are allowed per player every 40 moves. The fourth time-warning is a loss. Every 40 moves the limit is refreshed.
18. Board updates: Unless otherwise agreed, one player in each game should post a board update, or a board should be provided by someone who has agreed to moderate the game. Either player has a right to request a board once per move (2 plies). If a board has not been posted which is at most 1-ply from the current position, and a player requests to see a board, time waiting for the board does not count as playing time.
Section-3 (Non-players of a game)
19. Do not post comments about an active game on any website or public forum.
Note: some discussion related to revisions of these rules were agreed in the bulldog club (here).