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Newsgroups: rec.games.chess,rec.answers,news.answers
Path: bloom-beacon.mit.edu!hri.com!noc.near.net!MathWorks.Com!panix!zip.eecs.umich.edu!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!gatech!swrinde!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!shauck
From: shauck@netcom.com (William R. Shauck)
Subject: rec.games.chess Answers to Frequently Asked Questions [1/2]
Message-ID: <chess1_762589524@netcom.com>
Followup-To: poster
Summary: This posting addresses some of the FAQ's on the
rec.games.chess news group. Topics include International, National
& Local Organizations, Mail and E-mail Organizations, Ratings and
Titles, Tournaments, Self-Improvement, and Supplies.
Keywords: chess FAQ semimonthly answers
Supersedes: <chess1_760523162@netcom.com>
Reply-To: shauck@netcom.com
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 1994 06:25:43 GMT
Approved: news-answers-request@mit.edu
Expires: Wed, 30 Mar 1994 06:25:24 GMT
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Xref: bloom-beacon.mit.edu rec.games.chess:22921 rec.answers:4331 news.answers:15950
Last-Modified: 1994/03/01
Archive-Name: games/chess/part1
This twice-monthly posting is intended to address some of the frequently asked
questions (FAQ's) on the rec.games.chess news group. Because the answers may
not be complete, please feel free to ask questions. This is only intended to
address first-level concerns, and not to stifle discussions.
The FAQ list was last revised March 1st. A list for CC-Publisher, a software
program for creating chess texts under Microsoft Windows, was added to [23]
(thanks, Mark Ginsberg!). The updated FIDE rating list was added to [8]
(thanks, Steve Rix and M.D.Crowther!). The listing for Australian Chess
Enterprises was updated for [16] (thanks, Lee Jones!). The e-mail address for
Steven Edwards was updated for [18] (thanks, Steven!). The name "USA Today
Sports Center" was updated to "USA Today Information Center" (thanks, Elliott
Winslow!). Please address suggestions to shauck@netcom.com.
This posting is in two parts. Part 1 is about Organizations, Ratings &
Titles, Tournaments, Self-Improvement, and Supplies. Part 2 is about Mailing
Lists, freely available Services and Material, Chess-playing Hardware,
Software, and Utilities, and a Miscellaneous section.
Organizations: International, National, Local, and Mail/E-Mail
[1] Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE)
[2] The United States Chess Federation (USCF)
[3] Chess Federation of Canada (CFC)
[4] American Chess Foundation (ACF)
[5] State and Local Organizations (USA)
[6] Correspondence Organizations
[7] Bulletin Board Systems (BBS's)
Ratings and Titles
[8] Ratings (with FIDE list)
[9] How USCF Ratings are Calculated
[10] How USCF Lifetime Titles are Earned
Tournaments
[11] Tournaments
[12] The Swiss Tournament Pairing System
Self-Improvement
[13] I'm a Novice/Intermediate. How Do I Improve?
[14] Recommended Openings (and Books) for Novice to Intermediate
Supplies
[15] Publications
[16] Where to Get Books and Equipment
This FAQ list may be obtained via anonymous FTP from rtfm.mit.edu under
/pub/usenet/news.answers/games/chess/part1. Or, send email to
mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with 'send usenet/news.answers/games/chess/part1' in
the body of the message, leaving the subject line empty.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: [1] Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE)
FIDE (pronounced "fee-day") is an international chess organization that
organizes tournaments (e.g. Olympiad), grants titles, and controls the World
Championship cycle. Write to: Federation Internationale des Echecs, Abendweg
1, P.O. Box 2841, CH-6002 Lucerne, Switzerland. Phone 041 41 513378,9; fax
041 41 515846.
FIDE grants three over-the-board titles: FIDE Master (FM), International
Master (IM), and International Grandmaster (IGM; but more commonly just
"Grandmaster" and "GM"). FM can be obtained by keeping your FIDE rating over
2300 for 25 games. IM and GM titles require performances at certain levels
for 25-30 games (2450 for IM and 2600 for GM). This is usually achieved by
obtaining several "norms." A norm is obtained when a player makes at least a
given score in a FIDE tournament. The required score is a function of the
number of rounds and the strength of the opposition. There are also minimum
rating requirements. There are about 35 GM's, 60 IM's, and 100 FM's living
in the U.S., not all of whom are active players.
FIDE also grants titles for which only women are eligible: FIDE Woman Master,
International Woman Master (IWM; but _Chess Life_ often uses "Woman
International Master" and "WIM") and International Woman Grandmaster (WGM).
Women are also eligible for the other titles.
FIDE also grants titles for Chess Composition, Composition Judging,
Tournament Direction (as "Arbiter"), and Correspondence Chess; and maintains
a separate rating list (and titles) for "Action chess" (G/30).
------------------------------
Subject: [2] The United States Chess Federation (USCF)
The USCF is the national chess organization of the United States. It does
several things: (1) computes ratings for players who play in USCF-rated
tournaments, (2) publishes a monthly magazine called _Chess Life_, (3)
sponsors national over-the-board tournaments such as the National Open and
the U.S. Open, and a variety of correspondence (postal) tournaments, and
(4) officially represents the interests of chess in the U.S. to international
chess organizations. Most over-the-board tournaments held in the U.S. are
USCF-rated. This means that to play in them, you must join the USCF (this can
normally be done at the tournament site if you prefer).
_Chess Life_ includes a listing, sorted by state, of USCF-rated tournaments
to be held in the following few months. It periodically publishes the
addresses of all state chess organizations (see [5]). It also has chess
news, games from the U.S. and around the world, instructional and enjoyment
articles, and embedded catalogs from which you can purchase books and
equipment.
Regular memberships are $30/year, including a _Chess Life_ subscription.
Youth memberships (same benefits) for age 19 & under are $15/year.
Scholastic memberships for age 19 and under (provides a bimonthly publication
called _School Mates_ instead of _Chess Life_) are $7/year. Senior
memberships (age 65 and over) are $20/year. Life memberships are $600 or can
be had by paying double the regular membership rate for 10 years running.
_Chess Life_ subscription (without membership): $33/year. Write to: United
States Chess Federation, 186 Route 9W, New Windsor, NY 12553-7698. Phone
800-388-5464 or 914-562-8350.
Those with access to Internet e-mail have active members of the USCF staff
available. IM Elliott Winslow is Assistant Editor of _Chess Life_, and can be
reached at ekw@panix.com. For non-_Chess Life_ matters, Assistant Director
Larry King is available at uscf@delphi.com.
------------------------------
Subject: [3] Chess Federation of Canada (CFC)
The CFC maintains ratings of all players in good standing, runs tournaments,
attempts to promote chess in Canada, and sells equipment to both members and
non-members. Members get a subscription to _En Passant_, a bimonthly
magazine. The rating system used by the CFC is the Elo system, also used by
the USCF and FIDE. Local variations make CFC ratings from 25-200 points
lower than USCF ratings for players of similar ability. Dues range from
$25-$45 (Canadian), depending on province of residence. Junior memberships
range from $15-$25 (Canadian). Life memberships are also available,
depending on age. Write to: Chess Federation of Canada, 2212 Gladwin
Crescent, E-1(b), Ottawa, Ontario, K1B 5N1, Canada. Phone 613-733-2844; fax
613-733-5209.
------------------------------
Subject: [4] American Chess Foundation (ACF)
The American Chess Foundation promotes chess in the U.S. It sponsors some
promising young players and contributes money toward large tournaments (e.g.,
the U.S. Championship). Write to: American Chess Foundation (President Fan
Adams, Executive Director Allan Kaufman), 353 West 46th St., New York, NY
10036.
------------------------------
Subject: [5] State and Local Organizations (USA)
Every state has its own chess organization affiliated with USCF, and most also
have a bimonthly or quarterly publication. The state organizations are listed
in the annual _Chess Life_ yearbook issue (April). From these state
organizations, information can be obtained on local chess clubs. Another good
way to find a local club is to look at the tournament listings in the back of
every _Chess Life_.
------------------------------
Subject: [6] Correspondence Organizations
American Postal Chess Tournaments, c/o Helen Warren, P.O. Box 305, Western
Springs, IL 60558. Also runs electronic "postal" chess on the USA Today
Information Center (see [7]).
Correspondence Chess League of America (CCLA), P.O. Box 3481, Barrington, IL
60011-3481.
International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF), c/o Max Zavanelli,
ICCF-US Secretary, 1642 N. Volusia Ave #201, Orange City, FL 32763. Non-US
residents may contact ICCF directly to obtain information about their
respective affiliated national correspondence chess federation, by writing to
the ICCF Tournament Director, address: ICCF Tournament Director, c/o Ragnar
Wikman, Box 36, 20111 Abo, Finland. Internet e-mail: rwikman@finabo.abo.fi
Transcendental Chess, c/o Maxwell Lawrence, 1655A Flatbush Ave., No. 1502,
Brooklyn, NY 11210. Postal chess (PRE-chess!--first 8 moves set up the
pieces behind the pawns) organization.
------------------------------
Subject: [7] Bulletin Board Systems (BBS's)
CANADA
Alberta: Chess Hackers. 403-456-5808.
USA
CompuServe: 800-848-8990.
HoloNet: 800-NET-HOLO (800-638-4656).
Prodigy: 800-284-5933.
Sierra Network: 800-SIERRA-1 (800-743-7721).
USA Today Information Center: 800-826-9688. Provides both on-line and
"postal" chess games, some of which are associated with American Postal
Chess Tournaments. Address: USA Today Information Center, Four Seasons
Executive Center, Building 9, Terrace Way, Greensboro, NC 27403.
CA: Charles Rostedt's chess BBS: 310-634-8549 (data), 634-8477 (voice).
CA: Chess Hotline BBS: 310-634-8549.
CA: Strategies and Tactics: 714-458-0818.
Berkeley, CA: Berkeley BBS: 510-486-0795.
Modesto, CA: Flightline of Dbase: 209-551-2227.
Waterbury, CT: Chess Horizons BBS: 203-596-1443. 755-9749 (voice). Rob
Roy, 54 Calumet, Waterbury, CT 06710-1201. Free software catalog.
Plant City, FL: The ChessBoard: 813-754-6043.
Chicago, IL: ChessBoard: 312-784-3019.
IL: Free! Board: 312-275-0848.
Louisville, KY: The Chess Board: 502-271-5233.
Metairie, LA: High Tech BBS: 504-837-7941.
New Orleans, LA: Woodpusher BBS: 504-271-5233.
Chevy Chase, MD: The Mystery Board BBS: 301-588-9465, 588-8142.
Fort Meade, MD: Interstate Express: 301-674-6835.
Durham, NC: The Isolated Pawn: 919-471-1440.
Brooklyn, NY: The Round Table BBS: 718-951-6652.
Columbus, OH: The Endgame BBS: 614-476-3351.
Mansfield, OH: DK Jet-Works: 419-524-3959.
Mansfield, OH: Procyon: 419-524-7825.
Portland, OR: PDX Chess BBS: 503-232-2282.
TX: Let's Play Chess: 512-244-3349.
Austin, TX: Austin Chess Studio: 512-448-4861.
------------------------------
Subject: [8] Ratings (with FIDE list)
Different countries have different rating systems. The most common system in
use is called the Elo system, named after its inventor. An excellent book on
the subject is _The Rating of Chessplayers, Past & Present_ by Arpad E. Elo
(copyright 1978; ISBN 0-668-04721-6). FIDE and the USCF use the Elo system,
although in the USCF there have been some adjustments and additions in the
past which have distorted USCF ratings vis-a-vis systems which have been
"pure Elo" forever.
FIDE Rating list, Open, 1 January 1993 (Kasparov & Short removed)
Rank(R), Player, Date of Birth, Country, Last 2 ratings,(1 and 2,93),
Current rating (1,94) and number of rated games
played (G) and the change in rating (Dif.) are provided.
R Player Birthdate Country 1.93 2.93 1.94 G Dif
Kasparov,Garri Russia 2805 XXXX 2800 (unofficial)
1. Karpov,Anatoli 23.05.51 Russia 2725 2760 2740 40 -20
2. Anand,Viswanathan 11.12.69 India 2710 2725 2715 37 -10
3. Ivanchuk,Vassili 18.03.69 Ukraine 2710 2705 2710 33 +5
4. Kramnik,Vladimir 25.06.75 Russia 2685 2710 2710 32 =
5. Shirov,Alexei 04.07.72 Latvia 2670 2685 2705 47 +20
6. Kamsky,Gata 02.06.74 USA 2655 2645 2695 36 +50
7. Salov,Valeri 26.05.64 Russia 2660 2685 2685 31 =
8. Bareev,Evgeni 21.11.66 Russia 2670 2660 2685 29 +25
9. Gelfand,Boris 24.06.68 White Russia2690 2670 2685 23 +15
10.Epishin,Vladimir 11.07.65 Russia 2620 2655 2675 32 +20
11.Yusupov,Artur 13.02.60 Germany 2645 2630 2665 35 +35
Short,Nigel England 2655 XXXX 2665 (unofficial)
12.Adams,Michael 17.11.71 England 2630 2630 2660 55 +30
13.Khalifman,Alexander18.01.66 Russia 2630 2645 2660 39 +15
14.Sokolov, Ivan 13.06.68 Bosnia 2640 2610 2650 52 +40
15.Beliavsky,Alexander17.12.53 Ukraine 2610 2635 2650 23 +15
16.Dreev,Alexei 30.01.69 Russia 2570 2645 34 +75
17.Kaidanov,Grigory 11.10.59 Russia 2620 2640 2645 25 +5
18.Topolov,Vesseline 15.03.75 Bulgaria 2635 2650 2640 31 -10
19.Chernin,Alexander 06.03.60 Hungary 2600 2615 2630 36 +15
20.Tiviakov,Sergei 14.02.73 Russia 2575 2635 2630 23 -5
21.Polgar, Judit 23.07.76 Hungary 2595 2630 2630 22 =
22.Nikolic, Predrag 11.09.60 Bosnia 2630 2625 2625 46 =
23.Lautier,Joel 12.04.73 France 2645 2620 2625 31 +5
24.Yudasin,Leonid 08.08.59 Israel 2610 2605 2625 30 +20
25.Vaganian,Raphael 15.10.51 Armenia 2615 2615 2625 17 +10
26.Azmaiparashvili,Z 16.03.60 Georgia 2655 2630 2625 11 -5
27.Dautov,Roustam 28.11.65 Russia 2625 2625 2625 0 =
28.Yermolinsky,Alexey 11.04.58 USA 2615 2605 2620 51 +15
29.Timman,Jan 14.12.51 Holland 2625 2620 2620 32 =
30.Benjamin,Joel 11.03.64 USA 2585 2620 2620 29 =
31.Andersson,Ulf 27.06.51 Sweden 2625 2625 2620 20 -5
32.Korchnoi,Viktor 23.03.31 Switzerland 2605 2625 2615 59 -10
33.Georgiev,Kiril 28.11.65 Bulgaria 2660 2660 2615 47 -45
34.Gulko,Boris 09.02.47 USA 2625 2635 2615 40 -20
35.Smirin,Ilia 21.01.68 Israel 2590 2640 2615 40 -25
36.Hertneck,Gerald 18.09.63 Germany 2565 2615 25 +60
37.Almasi,Zoltan 29.08.76 Hungary 2490 2580 2610 68 +30
38.Ehlvest,Jaan 14.10.62 Estonia 2625 2620 2610 43 -10
39.Gurevitch, Mikail 22.02.59 Belgium 2610 2605 2610 43 +5
40.Dolmatov,Sergei 20.02.59 Russia 2615 2630 2610 40 -20
41.Vishmanavin,Alexei 01.01.60 Russia 2620 2605 2610 41 +5
42.Greenfeld,Alon 17.04.67 Israel 2560 2590 2610 37 +20
43.Hubner,Robert 06.11.48 Germany 2620 2605 2610 24 +5
44.Akopian,Vladimir 07.12.71 Armenia 2615 2600 2605 47 +5
45.Piket,Jeroen 27.01.69 Holland 2590 2590 2605 46 +15
46.Speelman,Jonathan 02.10.56 England 2595 2605 2605 38 =
47.Rozentalis,Eduardas27.05.63 Lithuania 2595 2600 2605 34 +5
48.Van der Sterren,P 17.03.56 Holland 2525 2605 34 +80
49.Granda Zuniga,J 25.02.67 Peru 2590 2605 2605 23 =
50.Nunn,John 25.04.55 England 2580 2590 2605 19 +15
51.Morovic, Ivan 24.03.63 Chile 2575 2605 18 +30
52.Portisch,Lajos 04.04.37 Hungary 2580 2585 2605 13 +20
53.Ribli,Zoltan 06.09.51 Hungary 2620 2610 2600 15 -10
54.Ljubojevic,Ljubomir02.11.50 Yugoslavia 2605 2595 2600 8 +5
55.Malaniuk,Vladimir 21.07.57 Ukraine 2600 2635 2595 47 -40
56.Hjartarson,Johann 08.02.63 Iceland 2625 2605 2595 38 -10
57.Alterman,Boris 04.05.70 Israel 2600 2585 2595 30 +10
58.Wolff,Patrick 15.02.68 USA 2580 2585 2595 24 +10
59.Agdestein,Simen 15.05.67 Norway 2630 2610 2595 19 -15
60.Lutz,Christopher 24.02.71 Germany 2550 2605 2595 10 -10
61.Glek,Igor 07.11.61 Russia 2535 2590 63 +55
62.Miles,Anthony 23.04.55 England 2570 2590 55 +25
63.Shabalov,Alexander 12.09.67 US 2575 2590 2590 43 =
64.Illescas Cardoba,M 03.12.65 Spain 2615 2625 2590 42 -35
65.Oll,Lembit 07.11.64 Estonia 2585 2595 2590 42 -5
66.Lputian,Smbat 14.02.58 Armenia 2570 2590 30 +25
67.Gavrikov,Viktor 29.07.57 Switzerland 2575 2580 2590 27 +10
68.Morosewitsch,Alex. 18.07.77 Russia 2545 2590 22 +45 IM
69.Milov,Vadim Israel 2500 2585 69 +85
70.Psachis,Lev 29.11.58 Israel 2575 2585 2585 64 =
71.Bologan,Viktor 14.12.71 Moldavia 2510 2585 49 +75
72.Romanashin,Oleg 10.01.52 Ukraine 2590 2615 2585 48 -30
73.Goldin,Alexander 27.02.65 Russia 2540 2585 47 +45
74.Gurevich,Ilya 08.02.72 US 2575 2585 23 +10
75.Seirawan,Yasser 24.03.60 US 2575 2585 15 +10
76.Sveshnikov Evgeni 11.02.50 Russia 2570 2585 15 +15
77.Mozetic,Dejan 16.08.65 Yugoslavia 2580 2580 2585 6 +5 IM
78.De Firmian,Nick 26.07.57 USA 2545 2580 61 +35
79.Hansen,Curt 18.09.64 Denmark 2610 2590 2580 26 -10
80.Vladimirov,Evgeni 20.01.57 Kasahkstan 2585 2585 2580 9 -5
81.Arbakov,Valentin 28.01.52 Russia 2460 2575 64 +115 IM
82.Kozul,Zdenko 21.05.66 Bosnia 2550 2595 2575 61 -20
83.Khouzman,Alexander 10.04.62 Ukraine 2520 2575 53 +55
84.Vaiser Anatoli 05.03.49 France 2555 2580 2575 50 -10
85.Nenachev,Alexander 25.08.62 Uzbekistan 2565 2580 2575 39 -5
86.Polugaevsky,Lev 20.11.34 Russia 2635 2605 2575 16 -30
87.Mecking,Henrique 23.01.52 Brazil 2575 2575 0 =
88.Cvitan,Ognjev 10.10.61 Croatia 2550 2570 74 +20
89.Hodgson,Julian 25.07.63 England 2565 2625 2570 62 -45
90.Van Wely,Loek 07.10.72 Holland 2560 2585 2570 62 -15
91.Pigusov,Evgeni 31.03.61 Russia 2575 2585 2570 38 -15
92.Schneider,Alexander22.05.62 Ukraine 2560 2570 37 +10
93.Dorfman,Josef 01.05.53 France 2555 2570 36 +15
94.Van der Wiel,John 09.08.59 Holland 2570 2570 34 +5
95.Tukmakov,Vladimir 15.03.46 Ukraine 2605 2600 2570 33 -30
96.Eingorn,Vereslav 23.11.56 Ukraine 2575 2580 2570 28 -10
97.Lobron,Eric 07.05.60 Germany 2620 2575 2570 27 -5
98.Dokhojan,Yuri 26.10.64 Russia 2550 2570 24 +20
99.Krasenkov,Mikhail 14.11.63 Russia 2560 2595 2565 46 -30
FIDE Rating list, Restricted to women, 1 January 1993
1. Judit Polgar Hungary 2595 +20
2. Zsuzsa Polgar Hungary 2560 +20
3. Pia Cramling Sweden 2525 -5
4. Maya Tschiburdanidze Georgia 2510 +5
5. Jun Xie China 2470 -15
6. Nana Ioseliani Georgia 2460 +15
7. Alisa Gallyamova Ukraine 2445 +45
8. Ketevan Arakhamya Georgia 2440 +5
9. Svetlana Prudnikova Russia 2420 +85
10. Ketevan Kakhyani Georgia 2420 +60
11. Ildiko Madl Hungary 2415 +5
12. Irina Levytina USA 2415 0
13. Alisa Maric Yugoslavia 2415 +25
14. Zsofia Polgar Hungary 2415 -30
15. Kanying Qin China 2410 +95
16. Yelena Donaldson USA 2405 0
17. Svetlana Matveyeva Kirgisia 2395 -40
18. Ainur Sofiyeva Azerbaidzan 2390 +5
19. Vesna Bashagic Bosnia-Hercegovina 2385 -5
20. Natasha Boykovic Yugoslavia 2385 +20
21. Anna Akhsarumova USA 2385 0
USCF has rating classes as follows (with number in class as of 1 Nov 1992):
title range number (change-from-1991)
Senior Master 2400 and up 239 (+28)
Master 2200 - 2399 861 (+19)
Expert 2000 - 2199 2,407 (-68)
Class A 1800 - 1999 3,880 (-42)
Class B 1600 - 1799 4,851 (-59)
Class C 1400 - 1599 5,234 (-40)
Class D 1200 - 1399 4,994 (+201)
Class E below 1200 11,123 (+5155)
There are more USCF members than the total 33,609 (+5198) listed here. These
are just those who have been active in tournaments recently. The average
rating on this list is 1421 (-125). Your rating is determined by your results
and the ratings of the players you play against.
There is no hard and fast relationship between the various rating scales.
One question which often arises is: Do Elo historical ratings of famous
players of the past enable us to predict how well they would do against
present day players?
Some discussion of this issue occurred in (the now discontinued) _Chess
Notes_ in 1988. Edward Winter wrote, "Elo's retrospective rankings look less
and less convincing the more one studies them. For example, George Walker is
attributed 2360, the same as George Botterill in January 1988 (who has thus
had the benefit of insight into a century and a half of chess development
since Walker's time)." Ken Whyld responded this "shows a misunderstanding of
ELO. The ratings do not reflect how a player from a past age would fare
against a present-day player. . . . Elo's figures measure competitive
ability, NOT the quality of play. . . . In chess we can only know the
standing of players within the pool of which they are a part. It is idle
speculation to make comparisons between discrete periods." Arpad Elo himself
then got into the discussion, saying, "The historical ratings have generated
controversy partly because people misunderstand what they represent . . . Mr.
Ken Whyld . . . correctly points out how ratings should be viewed, i.e., as a
measure of competitive ability, and that proper comparisons can be made only
between players of the same milieu. . . . There is also a fundamental point
that should not be overlooked: the rating scale itself is an arbitrary scale,
open ended, . . . with no reproducible fixed points."
------------------------------
Subject: [9] How USCF Ratings are Calculated
The following is a simplified version of how the USCF rating system works;
for a full version, write to the USCF (see [2]).
*** For the first 20 games (provisional rating): ***
Take the rating of the opponent +400 if the player wins.
Take the rating of the opponent -400 if the player loses.
Take the rating of the opponent if the game is a draw.
Average these numbers. (If unrated players play other unrated players, this
requires several iterations of the above.)
*** After 20 games (established rating): ***
The maximum amount a player can win or lose per game (called the "K" factor)
varies according to rating. Players rated under 2100 have a 32-point
maximum; players rated 2100-2399 have a 24-point maximum, and players rated
2400 and up have a 16-point maximum. (In a "1/4 K" tournament, divide these
maximums by four.)
If players of equal rating play, the loser loses half of the maximum, the
winner gains the same amount. No change for a draw.
If players of unequal rating play, the higher-rated player gains fewer points
for a win, but loses more points for a loss. (The lower-rated player does
the opposite, of course.) A higher-rated player loses points for a draw; a
lower-rated player gains points. For players rated 400 or so points apart,
the maximum rating change is used for an upset, and the minimum gain/loss is
1 point if the much higher-rated player wins.
The true formula for the number of points won/lost versus the ratings
difference is a curve, but a straight-line approximation for players with a K
factor of 32 points can be used, where every 25 points of ratings difference
is one additional rating point gained/lost starting from a beginning of 16
points for a win/loss, and from zero for a draw. (I.e., for a 100-point
difference, the higher-rated player gains 16 - 4 = 12 points for a win, but
loses 16 + 4 = 20 points for a loss. If a draw, the higher-rated player
loses 4 points, the lower-rated player gains 4.)
The actual formula is as follows:
K = K factor
delta_R = (Opponent's rating) - (Player's rating)
Expected_Wins = 1/(10^(delta_R / 400) + 1)
New_Rating = (Current rating) + K * ((Actual wins) - (Expected_Wins))
An established player's rating cannot drop below (his rating - 100) truncated
to the next lowest hundred (i.e., a 1571 player cannot drop below 1400).
This is called the rating's "floor."
------------------------------
Subject: [10] How USCF Lifetime Titles are Earned
USCF's class title norm system is similar to the system FIDE uses to
determine GM and IM titles (see [1]). There is no time limit for
accumulating points towards USCF titles.
There are two titles per class from E to Expert: "Certified" and "Advanced."
Master-level titles have a different naming scheme: 2200 is "Life Master,"
followed by "1-Star Life Master" at 2300, "2-Star Life Master" at 2400, etc.
Points are earned toward titles by exceeding the expected score of a player
with the minimum rating of that level by a certain number of points. Rules:
1. A norm can be earned only in events of four rounds or greater. (Norms
cannot be earned by playing a rated match.)
2. A minimum score of two game points in the event is required, not
counting unplayed games.
3. Ten "norm points" are required for a title.
4. Making a norm earns two points toward the title for that level.
5. A player who does not have the title 100 points below the norm level
also earns five points towards that title.
6. A player who does not have the title 200 points below the norm level
automatically achieves that title.
7. A player who achieves an established rating, but not the title
corresponding to 100 points below this rating, is awarded that title.
8. Only established rated players can earn titles.
The Life Master title may still be earned by playing 300 games at the 2200
level. After 1996, this title may only be earned through the norm system.
For a full description of the system, see _Chess Life_ May 1992.
------------------------------
Subject: [11] Tournaments
Chess tournaments can be large (1000 players) or small (10 players or even
less); long (1 round per day for 2 weeks) or short (a few rounds in one day).
There are tournaments only for Masters and tournaments only for beginners,
although most tournaments are open to anyone. A typical _Chess Life_ will
list about 350 tournaments coming up in the U.S. in the next couple of
months, and there will be about the same number which are unlisted. If you
want to participate in a tournament but are intimidated because you don't
know the procedures, by all means go and ask the director and/or other
players questions before things begin. They'll be glad to help.
A typical tournament announcement will contain the following: (1) Date(s) and
name of the tournament. (2) What kind of tournament it is, e.g., 4-SS or
3-RR. The number given denotes how many rounds will be played. "SS" stands
for Swiss System, which is a method of pairing the contestants (see [12]).
"RR" stands for round-robin, a format in which the players are divided into
groups of similar ratings before the tournament begins, and then each member
of a group plays every other member of that group. Thus, in a 3-RR, the
group size will be four. The Swiss System is by far the most popular in the
U.S.
(3) The time controls, e.g., "30/60, SD/60" or "G/60" or "20/1, 30/1." The
number on the left is the number of moves, and the number on the right is the
time in minutes, or if that number is 1 or 2, in hours. "SD" stands for
"sudden death," and "G" stands for game. Where more than one time control is
listed, they are the controls which will take effect as the game progresses.
So, the three examples given above can be explained as follows. In the first
example, the players would each get 60 minutes on their clocks, and would
have to have made their 30th moves before the 60 minutes expires (your clock
only runs when it is your turn to move). Then, they each have another 60
minutes to finish the game completely. Time left over from the first time
control carries over to subsequent time controls. In the second example,
each player would begin with 60 minutes on his clock, and would have to
finish the game within that time. In the third example, the players would
each get 1 hour for the first 20 moves, 1 hour for the next 30 moves, and
another hour for every subsequent group of 30 moves.
(4) The location of the tournament. (5) The entry fee, sometimes by section
(see item 7). (6) The total prize fund (if any), either "guaranteed" (G) or
based on a certain number of entries (e.g., b/30). The difference is
guaranteed prizes must be paid, and "based on" prizes need only be paid in
full if the stated number of players enter. If the stated number of players
do not enter, the prize fund is reduced proportionally, but only down to a
minimum of 50%.
(7) Sections, if any. If none are listed, the tournament is an "open."
"Open" sections are always open to *any* player. Other sections may be
restricted to players below a certain rating, and/or occasionally above a
certain rating. Sometimes sections (or whole tournaments) are restricted to
certain age groups, school grades, etc. "Class" tournaments separate players
by USCF rating classes. Sometimes different sections carry different entry
fees. (8) Prize fund breakdown (if any). If the tournament is in sections,
each section shows its own prize fund. In an small open, a typical prize
fund might look like this: $140-100-70, A 50, B 45, C 40, D/E/Unr. 35, Jrs.
20. This means first prize is $140, second is $100, and third is $70. The
top Class A player gets $50, etc. The top player in the combined classes of
D, E, and unrated players gets $35, and the top Junior (under age 21) gets
$20. (9) The registration time and time the rounds will begin. (10) Where
to send an advance entry fee, and/or who to contact for more information.
------------------------------
Subject: [12] The Swiss Tournament Pairing System
The best way to get the rules for a Swiss System is to buy a copy of the USCF
rulebook, available for about $7.95. (The FIDE rulebook also has rules for a
Swiss, which vary from USCF's rules.)
However, a VERY simplified summary of the USCF rules is:
1. Arrange players in order by rating, highest to lowest, unrated either at
the bottom or by estimated rating.
2. For round 1, divide into two stacks. The top players in EACH stack play
each other, then the second players in each stack play each other, etc.
This results in the highest-rated player playing the middle-rated player.
3. After round one, divide up by score groups. Win=1, Draw=1/2, Loss=0.
4. Pair up each score group as in step 2. If an odd number, the bottom
person in higher point group plays top person in next score group. If
odd number in lowest score group, lowest rated player gets a full point
bye. (Limit players to one bye each.)
5. Where possible, players should alternate color, or at least equalize.
(By round 4, players ideally should have had two Whites, two Blacks.)
6. Players NEVER play the same opponent more than once. If necessary, pair
players with someone in next lower score group. (Treat as if odd
number.)
7. To improve on color allocation as per step 5, if two players in the
bottom half of a score group are rated within 100 points, they can be
interchanged. (If rated over 2100, 50 points is a better cutoff.)
------------------------------
Subject: [13] I'm a Novice (or Intermediate). How Do I Improve?
There are lots of variations to the methods, but the things most good
teachers agree on is to emphasize (1) tactics, (2) endings, and (3) playing
with a plan. Most people spend too much time studying openings. Just learn
enough about openings to get to a playable middlegame. The books listed
below should give you a great start on (1), (2), and (3). Of course, playing
experience is important. Review your games (with a much stronger player if
possible) to find out what you did right and wrong. Seek out games against
stronger players, and learn from them.
Some books are listed below to help in the quest to improve. You don't need
to buy all these--pick and choose as you please. For example, buy #1 and see
what you might want to supplement it with later. Or, buy one or two general
works (numbers 3, 4, 5, and 6), a tactics book, and an endgame book.
1. _Comprehensive Chess Course_ 2nd edition by GM Lev Alburt and Roman Pelts
(ISBN 0-9617-207-0-5). (Available as 2 separate vols. from Chess Digest.)
Expensive. Chess neophytes (i.e., NOT most rec.games.chess readers) will find
volume I useful; otherwise, try volume II. Good teaching material for an
intro-to-chess class. (It is now in its 3rd edition.)
2. _Essential Chess Endings Explained Move by Move_ by IM Jeremy Silman
(ISBN 0-87568-172-7). Very clear explanations of basic endings. For novices
and intermediates.
3. _The Game of Chess_ by Siegbert Tarrasch (ISBN 0-486-25447-X). Excellent
instruction for intermediates.
4. _How to Reassess Your Chess_ by IM Jeremy Silman (ISBN 0-938650-53-X).
Explains how to formulate a plan. An excellent improvement program for the
intermediate player.
5. _Logical Chess Move by Move_ by Irving Chernev (ISBN 0-671-21135-8).
Looks at 30 or so games, and comments on the thought behind *every* move.
Bridges the gap between novice and intermediate books.
6. _My System_ by Aron Nimzovich (ISBN 0-679-14025-5). As per _The Game of
Chess_ above.
7. _1001 Winning Chess Sacrifices and Combinations_ by Fred Reinfeld (ISBN
0-87980-111-5). A cheap book of 1001 tactical quizzes, most from actual
games. Mix of easy & hard. Great for improving tactical ability.
8. _Pandolfini's Endgame Course_ by NM Bruce Pandolfini (ISBN
0-671-65688-0). Another good endgame book for novices and intermediates.
9. _Simple Chess Tactics_ by A. J. Gillam (ISBN 0-7134-6513-1). A first
tactics book for novices.
10. _Your Move_ by Yakov Neishtadt. A good tactics book with 350 positions
for you to try with solutions and explanations.
------------------------------
Subject: [14] Recommended Openings (and Books) for Novices to Intermediates
Remember your goal is to reach a playable middlegame. Don't worry about what
is popular, or what the Masters play. As GM Lombardy once said, all openings
offer good winning chances in amateur play.
As you become stronger, you can shop around for an opening yourself. But,
the openings recommended here are hardly inferior, and will serve you well
throughout your chess career if you so choose.
Besides what is recommended here, you may want a general manual to browse in
(not study from!). _Modern Chess Openings_ 13th edition (MCO-13) or
_Batsford Chess Openings_ edition 2 (BCO-2) are good choices.
White Pieces
Opening 1.e4 is a really good idea, as it will get you into tactics fast.
Yes, you may last a few moves longer against a Master by cowering around with
1.Nf3 2.g3 3.Bg2 4.O-O etc., but you won't learn as much or improve as fast.
Add a gambit or two to your system if you open 1.e4.
Another good idea is the Colle System, where White opens 1.d4 and sets up
with Nf3, e3, Bd3, c3, Nbd2, O-O, and plays to open up the position with e4
and attack on the Kingside. The great thing about the Colle is White has a
clear plan (and will encounter some tactics, too).
Recommended books for White Opening (pick one):
_Winning with 1.e4_ (ISBN 0-87568-174-5) by GM Andy Soltis. Covers all
(reasonable) Black responses with good lines which tend to avoid the
well-trodden paths.
_Winning with the Colle System_ (2nd ed.; ISBN 0-87568-169-7) by Ken Smith
and John Hall. Comprehensive coverage of this opening.
_Colle System_ by IM George Koltanowski, a real pioneer of this system.
Cheaper than the book above, but a bit less comprehensive.
Black Pieces
As a response to 1.e4, establish pawn control in the center by either 1. ...
e5 or 1. ... c5 (Sicilian), or make a "strong-point" at d5 by either 1. ...
e6 (French) or 1. ... c6 (Caro-Kann), followed by 2. ... d5. Playing 1. ...
e5 will subject you to some hairy attacks, but again, you will learn tactics
thereby. To help avoid reams of theory, use the Petroff defense (1.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nf6) if you choose 1. ... e5.
1. ... c5 (the Sicilian) has rather a lot of White possibilities to play
against, but is sound and aggressive at the same time. The French and the
Caro-Kann are a bit easier to play, but don't run into as many early tactics
(usually).
As a response to 1.d4, play 1. ... d5 and then follow 2.c4 (the most typical
2nd move) with either 2. ... dxc4 (Queen's Gambit Accepted), 2. ... e6
(Queen's Gambit Declined), or 2. ... c6 (Slav Defense). The first promotes
early tactics, and the other two have the advantage usually producing similar
pawn structures to the French Defense and Caro-Kann, respectively. If you
play French and QGD or Caro-Kann and Slav, you are less likely to be confused
by transpositions if White varies his move order in the early stages, e.g.,
by opening 1.Nf3.
Recommended books for Black Opening (pick either I, II, or III):
I. Choose one from A. and one from B.
A.
_A Complete Black Defense to 1.P-K4_ by Cafferty and Hooper. The main
line is the Petroff Defense, but the authors also show how to handle the
other possibilities, e.g., the King's Gambit.
_How to Play the Sicilian Defense Against all White Possibilities_ (ISBN
0-87568-168-9) by GM Andy Soltis and Ken Smith.
B.
_A Complete Black Defense to 1.P-Q4_ by Cafferty and Hooper. The main
line is the Queen's Gambit Accepted, but the authors also show how to
handle the other possibilities, e.g., the Richter-Veresov Attack. The
disadvantage is you aren't shown how to handle other closed openings
such as 1.Nf3, 1.c4, etc. although these can frequently be transposed
into the QGA.
Or, as your B. choice, use the "closed" opening defenses from either
II or III.
II. _A Complete Black Repertoire_ (ISBN 0-87568-163-8) by IM Jeremy Silman.
Based around the French and Queen's Gambit Declined.
III. _A Black Defensive System for the Rest of Your Chess Career_ by GM
Andy Soltis. Based around the Caro-Kann and Slav.
------------------------------
Subject: [15] Publications
_Ajedrez Universal_, Luis Hoyos-Millan, P.O. Box 10020, Staten Island, NY
10301.
_American Chess Journal_, P.O. Box 2967, Harvard Square Station, Cambridge,
MA 02238. Phone 617-876-5759; fax 617-491-9570; e-mail cfc@isr.harvard.edu.
Edited by Christopher Chabris, Timothy Hanke, and GM Patrick Wolff. 128
pp./issue, book format, 3 issues/year. Single copy $12 to U.S.,
$14 to Canada/Mexico, $16 elsewhere; 3-issue subscription $30, $36, $42;
6-issue subscription $54, $66, $78. Emphasizes good writing, in-depth
analysis, history, and reviews.
_APCT News Bulletin_, c/o Helen Warren, P.O. Box 70, Western Springs, IL
60558. Correspondence chess.
_BDG World_, 303 Cleveland St., P.O. Box 66, Headland, AL 36345.
_Blitz Chess_, WBCA, 8 Parnassus Rd., Berkeley, CA, 94708. Edited by GM
Walter Browne, who also founded the World Blitz Chess Association. The WBCA
runs "blitz" (5 minutes/game) tournaments and has a separate rating system.
_Caissa's Chess News_, P.O. Box 09091, Cleveland, OH 44109.
_Chess_, Chess & Bridge, Ltd., 369 Euston Road, London, England NW1 3AR.
Phone (+44) 071 388 2404. General manager is IM Malcolm Pein. 12
issues/year; subscription rates are: UK L23.95/yr, L45/2 yrs; Europe
L29.95/yr, L56.95/2 yrs; USA/Canada (2nd class airmail) $49.95/yr, $95/2 yrs.
_Chess Chow_, Chess Chow Publications, P.O. Box 3348, Church St. Station, New
York, NY 10008. 212-432-6546. Edited by GM Joel Benjamin. 6 issues/year;
$25/yr, $45/2 yrs; Foreign rates: $40/yr & $75/2 yrs. 48 pp., many guest GM
and IM contributors, emphasis on instruction and entertainment. (More info:
e-mail mginsbur@rnd.stern.nyu.edu).
_Chess Horizons_ by the Massachusetts Chess Association, c/o George
Mirijanian, 46 Beacon St., Fitchburg, MA 01420 is published bimonthly and
contains about 64 games/issue, many of them from outside the U.S. $10/year;
$18 Canada; $19 Europe; $20 Australia.
_Chess Informant_ by Sahovski Informator, P.O. Box 739, Francuska 31, 11001
Beograd, Yugoslavia (Serbia). Published in March, August, and December
(semi-annually before 1991). Consists of "good" games (judged by committee)
from major tournaments; as well as interesting positions (combinations,
endings) given as a quiz, and tournament crosstables. There are about 750
games/issue classified by opening (known as _ECO_ classification). Notation
is figurine algebraic; games are annotated (often by the players) with
special ideographs (defined for 10 languages). The January & July FIDE
rating lists are published in the following edition. _Informant_ games are
also available in ChessBase/NICBase formats.
_Chess Life_ magazine and/or _School Mates_ magazine--see [2].
_The Computer Chess Gazette_, Box 2841, Laguna Hills, CA 92654.
714-770-8532. Focuses on computer chess.
_Computer Chess Reports_ published semiannually by ICD Corp., 21 Walt Whitman
Road, Huntington Station, NY 11746. Phone 800-645-4710. Subscriptions are
$12/year. Focuses on computer chess, and rates dedicated chess-playing
computers and software. The main contributor is IM Larry Kaufman.
_GMA< News_, 2 Avenue de la Tanche, 1160 Brussels, Belgium.
_Inside Chess_ magazine published biweekly by International Chess
Enterprises, Inc. Subscriptions in the U.S. are $45/year, $80/two years.
Subscription address: ICE, Inc., P.O. Box 19457, Seattle, WA, 98109. Phone
800-677-8052 (or 206-325-1952). _Inside Chess_ describes itself as THE
magazine for the serious player. Edited by GM Yasser Seirawan.
_International Computer Chess Association (ICCA) Journal_ published quarterly.
Membership/subscription is $30/year. Follows computer chess worldwide. ICCA,
c/o Don Beal, Department of Computing Science, Queen Mary and Westfield
College, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, England. ICCA Europe, c/o Prof. Dr. H.
J. van den Herik, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maasticht, The Netherlands
(Membership/subscription is Hfl. 50).
_New In Chess_ published by Interchess BV, P.O. Box 393, 1800 AJ Alkmaar, The
Netherlands. U.S. distribution: Chess Combination Inc., P.O. Box 2423 Noble
Station, Bridgeport, CT 06608-0423. Phone 203-367-1555; fax 203-380-1703;
e-mail 70244.1532@compuserve.com (Albert Henderson). 8 issues, $68 by air
mail, $58 by surface; intro subscription: 6 issues, $34 by air. Sample issue
$5 (free for Internet or CompuServe users).
------------------------------
Subject: [16] Where to Get Books and Equipment
American Chess Equipment (DeWayne Barber), 524 S. Avenida Faro, Anaheim, CA
92807. 714-998-5508. Good source for sets and boards in quantity.
Australian Chess Enterprises, 4/69 Garfield Road East, Riverstone, NSW 2765
Australia, ph: 61-2-838-1529 fax: 61-2-838-1614. Chess supplies, software,
promotions and publications.
Dale Brandreadth, P.O. Box 151, Yorkland, DE 19736. 302-239-4608. Used chess
books.
Caissa's Press, P.O. Box 609091, Cleveland, OH, 44109-0091. Buys and sells
used (and some new) books; send $1 for current list.
Chess Digest, Inc., P.O. Box 59029, Dallas, TX 75229. 800-462-3548; fax
214-869-9305. Massive selection of books; also boards, sets, and clocks.
Limited computers and software. Large (!) catalog available.
Chess House, P.O. Box 12424, Kansas City, KS 66112. 800-348-4749 or
913-299-3976; fax 913-788-9860. Books, boards, sets, clocks, computers.
Catalog available.
Chessco, P.O. Box 8, Davenport, IA 52805-0008. 319-323-7117. Associated
with Thinker's Press publishers. Books, boards, clocks. Catalog available.
Computer Chess Gazette, Box 2841, Laguna Hills, CA 92654. 714-770-8532.
Chess computers and software.
Electronic Games, 1678 Mayfield Road, Lapeer, Michigan 48446. 800-227-5603
or 313-664-2133. Computers, software, and clocks.
ICD Corp., 21 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station, NY 11746. 800-645-4710
or 516-424-3300. Chess computers and software. Associated with _Computer
Chess Reports_ (see [15]).
Lindsay Chess Supplies, Box 2381, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. 313-995-8738. Books,
sets, clocks. Possibly the cheapest source for _Informants_. Catalog
available.
Metro Game Center (Jeff Prentiss), 4744 Chicago Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN
55407. 612-874-9555.
National Chess and Games, P.O. Box 17278, Anaheim, CA 92817. 714-282-8483.
PBM International Corp. Inc., 11 Church Street, Montclair, NJ 07042.
800-726-4685; fax 201-783-0580. Computers, software, and clocks. Catalog
available.
Jon C. Rather, P.O. Box 273, Kensington, MD 20895. 301-942-0515. Used chess
books.
Fred Wilson, 80 E 11th St, Suite 334, New York, NY 10003. 212-533-6381.
Specializes in out-of-print and rare chess books; also fine chess sets.
USCF - books, boards, sets, clocks, computers, software (see [2]).
------------------------------
--
William R. Shauck Internet: shauck@netcom.com