Correspondence Chess Rules for Variant-Chess

I thought the rules would be changed to reflect actual practice:

Vacation is allowed after a time warning is issued

Requirement for announcing vacation before using it is subsequently voided along with 17 day wording (due to an additional day of the time warning).

Which brings a question:

Is the 4th time warning (within 40 moves) subject to vacation also?

Hi PerpetuallyPinned. Thanks for the reminder. I changed the rules to say that vacation can be called anytime (even after a time-warning). This was discussed briefly at post#47 (here). As mentioned the intent is give the most latitude for anyone who has an emergency (sickness, family crisis, etc).

However, once a game has been called it's too late (assuming the warning was legitimate and the 24 hours has elapsed). I feel that this should be clear by the existing text (#15) "The player must announce it before using the extra time".

To be honest, I don't understand your comment "Requirement for announcing vacation before using it is subsequently voided along with 17 day wording (due to an additional day of the time warning)."

If a player wants only a single extra day they can do it without asking for vacation. Of course they risk being given a time-warning, which adds to their jeopardy. I feel that a player who keeps doing this is either inattentive, or has poor etiquette - which is why there is a maximum of three time-warnings per 40 moves; the fourth being a loss.

Thanks for your comments on these rules. Please let me know if anything isn't clear.

fyi, this rule clarification was implemented due to a dispute in (PerpetuallyPinned - Marks1420). I appreciated everyone's comments (including by PerpetuallyPinned, Marks1420, Martin0, captaintugwash, etc.). Nobody was unreasonable, and I appreciate everyone giving their view in good faith.

Thanks, Vickalan

I guess I'm confused by the "extra time". I thought the context was vacation time as it's the only time that's "announced". Noone announces they will take "extra time" (that I've seen) when in jeopardy of a time warning.

Extra time is created by the vacation allowed after a warning. Perhaps not extra vacation...idk...lol

Suggestion for rule change...

Christmas vacation - automatic vacation for everyone between 24th and 27th December., separate from the 14 days vacation a player already has. Moves can be played if required, but clocks are essentially paused for all players in all games. 

I know most of us will allow opponents extra time over Christmas, but I feel this would be beneficial to have a rule in place. Nobody wants to be arguing about timeouts after a nice Christmas with the family.

Seems like a great idea.

I would have to say I partially agree with this idea, but not totally. Your reasons are very legitimate. On the other hand:

1) I believe in some countries, Christmas is not the biggest holiday of the year. For example, I believe the Chinese New Year is more popular in China (takes place in February).

2) Even if this extra time is not in the rules, any two players can agree beforehand (or even during a game) to add this as an allowed pause.

3) Even with family visiting and other activities, I would think most people can find time to play a move. They might skip a day, but should be able to honor the three-day time limit. (for me some game-playing is a holiday activity).

Nevertheless, I think your reasoning makes good sense. I'll see if there's other opinions, and of course it can be considered.

Well the new rule does not prohibit players from moving during this time period, it only allows them to choose not to.

One could argue that such an automatic vacation favors people who celebrate Christmas over those who don't. If people want vacation time, they should have to use their actual vacation time.

Those are fine points. I don't know about others, but I won't even log in over Christmas, I'll completely abandon the internet. I will of course use my regular vacation in my games, but perhaps people will forget. 

The points about other religious festivals are fair though. It would favour those who celebrate Christmas, in fact it could even be considered discriminatory if for example a Muslim were to timeout during Ramadan. I should've thought it through a little more.

I think this rule needs a caveat...

"17. 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)"

In some games where there is hidden information (the Chameleon games are what I have in mind) this should be changed to 1-ply, since an invisible piece might become visible. A player cannot know this until the mod posts a board. I've mentioned this in my current game, but if we adopt the chameleon, or any similar piece, we need to ensure the rules are clear and fair.

Games with incomplete information are not eligible for rated Bulldog, so we do not need to cover that situation in these rules.

Fair enough. 

Hi all

Merry Christmas for all of you.

I want if possible to change the rules for the WFB regulation. Some players abuse using it to think one or more days more than allowed time. That's why a change is needed. 

Here is what i suggest:

Using the WFB only for a limited number of times (3 times each 10 moves for each player appears for me to be logical and fair, preventing those who abuse of the WFB each one of their moves from playing slower games because their only goal is to disgust you.

The count of the number of allowed WFB requests is linked and reinstated again when 10 consecutive moves are played= 20 plies.

Anyone who asks for Board more than the allowed 3 each 10 moves, can still ask for Board but time will be always running when Waiting for Board and this is allowed only once each 10 moves. Once this right is used it's no longer allowed to ask for more boards unless your opponent agrees.

If a player doesn't request a Board during his 10 moves or he have 1 or 2 slots remaining, he can cumulate them for more complicated positions. But the maximum number of slots is 4 each 10 moves and the remaining slots are only usable in the following count of 10 moves. 

Example:

I didn't used my right for Board during my 10 first moves, i can ask for board 3+1 = 4 times during the following 10 moves. The count starts with the 3 regular slots then we will use our 1 slot bonus remaining from the previously unused slots. If i use 3 rights WFB and even if there is 1 slot remaining i don't have the right to extend my next 10 moves WFB slots by 1. But if i only used 2 slots i still have the right to extend my slots by 1 for the next 10 moves as i haven't used all my regular slots.

When requesting a Board, our clock is stopped for 24 hours but starts ticking again even if the mod haven't updated the Board.

These new regulations are to prevent some players abusing from the WFB rules to extend their thinking time each move. 

Merry christmas

to bypass problems from WFB, could one not post a board with their move, negating the possibility of WFB?

However I think this might be too less. 

As an not-so-active forum suggesting person but a quite-active player I think that when crazy or interesting positions arise we can do the following:

1) Both players can PM the mod to bid the times both players can issue an WFB. The lowest bid on chances and highest on time wins.

for example: on move 25,

White says "for the rest of the game both players can issue an WFB 3 times per 5 move" that's 3/5 per day and for 15 moves

Blacks says "for the next 10 move both players can issue an WFB 3 times per 7 moves" thats 3/7 per day and for 10 moves

Then mod will declare that "For the rest of the game both players can issue an WFB per 7 moves." (The bid goes to White on time, the bid goes to Black on chances)

2) On "for the rest of the game"

If a game is less than 35 moves currently then the rest of the game is considered to be until move 40.

If a game is less than 55 moves currently then the rest of the game is considered to be until move 60.

If a game is less than 75 moves currently then the rest of the game is considered to be until move 80. and etc

Hi

When both players agree to rise the WFB number of requests discussing it clearly with the mod and on the thread of their games it's naturally possible to rise the number of slots. This is a good suggestion which prevents from handicapping honest players when the game becomes complicated. We can add this naturally to the regulations, but should be an exceptional customised rule and for a limited number of moves in my opinion. 

My best suggestion: 

• unlimited board requests for positions 3+ ply away from the last board
• maximum 4 board requests for positions 2 ply away from the last board, per player per 20 moves

Are there people who are able to mod their own games and still let a 3rd person mod their own games? That strikes me, I must say.

laziness-people do get tired sometimes, you know