This Isn't "Correspondence Chess"

We can call this want we want, but it isn't correspondence chess.  It's like correspondence chess in some respects, but it's also like live or regular chess in many more ways.  It's online chess, sui generis.  I bring this up because every time I'm involved in a chat about the role of vacations on chess.com and how some of us prefer games that move without interruption, an angry chorus arises to shout, "this is correspondence chess, you twit, it's supposed to be slow".  The delays in correspondence chess, though, and I played a number of games in the 70s, were occasioned by the time it takes to deliver the moves and responses between the players.  The time it takes to deliver moves in online chess is almost instantaneous.  As such, there are some who prefer for the games to progress at a measured but steady pace, i.e., without the other person taking a "vacation" which just means that she or he wants to call a time-out.  Those of us who wish to play without the possibility of vacations (and this option is only available in tournaments), at least in my experience, do not want to eliminate vacations for everyone, but just would like the option of issuing "no vacation" challenges.

Is a type of correpondence through e-mail.

The option to issue 'no vacation' challenges would no doubt prove appealing to many - but that doesn't alter the fact that 'Turn-Based Chess' is closer to correspondence chess than to any other form.

btw we are in the 21st centary not in the 20th so thing has move on a little more quickly and differently.

I've nothing against 'no vacation' games (though I wouldn't play them myself).

There are a range of speeds in TBC: from 1 day per move through to 14 days per move - to cater for all tastes.

The fact remains that a 45-move game, even at 1 day per move, can still take 3 months. How many people can commit to being available every day for 3 months?

me.

never said I was against the vacation.

I'm relieved to hear it. Where are you planning on going this year?

Hopefully will be away in October.

I'm with artfizz. I have no issue with folks having the ability to issue a no-vacation challenge, but, don't send one to me if you want it accepted. I won't play a game where I'm not allowed to take time off once in a while. But, I fully support other's rights to play chess as best fits their temperment/life.

But to the OP, no, this isn't EXACTLY correspondance chess, but, it's a LOT closer to that than it is to OTB.

Some alternative handles discussed here ... appropriate-terminology.

As unlikely as it sounds, perhaps the two players could just make a gentleman / gentlewoman's agreement before the game?

OP & OTB ?

This is cheaper than postal chess, and more convenient.

OP = Original poster, in this case, you.

OTB = Over The Board. Chess that is played on a physical board, moving actual pieces, in person.

Thank you, 

And I should add to the Furtiveking's observation, I agree that this resembles correspondence chess more than it does OTB.

Correspondence chess via e-mail. One important way it's similar to correspondence is the fact that reference materials are allowed. This raises issue of cheating and the effort involved in preventing people from using chess engines. All forms of online chess will eventually have to come to terms with "cyberchess."

Fezzik:  Do you want to ban legitimate uses of extended vacation time as well?  I've been on the wrong side of vacation abuse many times, but I've also been out of the country for 2+ weeks and having the option to pause my games on this site was invaluable.

Why not give the player on the other side of the vacation taking opponent, the ability to quit the game with no gain or loss of rating points to either player?