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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS);faqs.198



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."

[7] 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.

[8] 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 [9]).
"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.

[9] 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.)

[10] 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 (ISBN 0-9617-207-0-5) by GM Lev
Alburt and Roman Pelts.  (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.

  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 Tarrasch.  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 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_ (ISBN 0-671-65688-0).  Another good
endgame book for novices and intermediates.

  9. _Simple Chess Tactics_ by Gillam (ISBN 0-7134-6513-1).  A first tactics
book for novices.

  10. _Square One_ by Bruce Pandolfini.  For the earliest of novices and
children.

  11. _Your Move_ by Yakov Neishtadt.  A good tactics book with 350 positions
for you to try with solutions and explanations.

[11] Recommended Openings and Opening Books for Novices and Early 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.

[12] Publications
-----------------

_Ajedrez Universal_, Luis Hoyos-Millan, P.O. Box 10020, Staten Island, NY
10301.

_APCT News Bulletin_, c/o Helen Warren, P.O. Box 70, Western Springs, IL
60558.  Correspondence chess.

_BDG World_, P.O. Box 7363, Warner Robins, GA 31095.

_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_ magazine from Pergamon in the U.K.  Pergamon Chess, London Road,
Wheatley, Oxford, England OX91YR.  $44.95/year (2nd class airmail)

_Chess Chow_, Chess Chow Publications, c/o Joel Benjamin, Apt. 2-B, 115 West
75th St., New York, NY 10023.  Edited by GM Joel Benjamin.  6 issues/year;
$21/yr, $39/2 yrs; $25/yr, $45/2 yrs (Canada/Mexico); $45/yr, $85/2 yrs (air
mail Europe).  48 pp., many guest GM and IM contributors, emphasis on
instruction and entertainment.

_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 Quarterly_ published quarterly by ICD Corp., 21
Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station, NY 11746.  Phone [phone].
Subscriptions are $10/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 Jonathan Schaeffer,    Department of Computing Science,
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H1.  European address:
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 [phone]; fax [phone].
Internet: [e-mail] (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).

[13] 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.

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 [phone].  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.

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.

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 Quarterly_ (see [12]).

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.  Distributor for Swis-Sys, a $49.95 Swiss System
pairing program.

PBM International Corp. Inc., 11 Church Street, Montclair, NJ, 07042.
800-726-4685; fax [phone].  Computers, software, and clocks.  Catalog
available.

USCF - books, boards, sets, clocks, computers, software (see [2]).

[14] 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
very good way to find a local club is to look at the tournament listings in
the back of every _Chess Life_.

[15] 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
Sports Network (see [16]).

Correspondence Chess League of America, c/o Dick Vandenburg, 2316 Regan Ave.,
Boise, ID 83702.

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: [e-mail]

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.

[16] Bulletin Board Systems (BBS's)
-----------------------------------

CANADA
  Alberta: Chess Hackers.  403-456-5808.

USA
  CompuServe: 800-848-8990.
  Sierra Network: 800-SIERRA-1 (800-743-7721).
  USA Today Sports Network: 800-826-9688.  Provides both on-line and "postal"
chess games, some of which are associated with American Postal Chess
Tournaments.  Address: USA Today Sports Center, Four Seasons Executive
Center, Building 9, Terrace Way, Greensboro, NC 27403.
  CA: Charles Rostedt's chess BBS: 213-634-8549 (data), 634-8477 (voice).
  CA: Strategies and Tactics: 714-458-0818.
  Berkeley, CA: Berkeley BBS: 510-486-0795.
  Modesto, CA: Flightline of Dbase: 209-551-2227.
  CO: Colorado Chess BBS: 303-444-4301.
  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.
  MD: Interstate Express: 301-674-6835.
  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.

[17] E-Mail Games, ICS, Mailing Lists, Usenet reader
----------------------------------------------------

Rob Buchner ([e-mail]) organizes e-mail games on "ladders."
If you would like to be included on the ladder, simply send him a message.
Contacting potential opponents and setting up matches is your initiative.
Just let him know whenever a match starts or ends.  Also, after a game has
been completed, include the following information:
 white   score   black   completed       moves   opening
 *****   *****   *****   *********       *****   *******
 name     ?:?    name    date            number  type
Ladder updates are posted to rec.games.chess about once a month.

The Internet Chess Server (ICS) was originally developed by Michael Moore
([e-mail]).  ICS allows interactive chess games
for those with Internet telnet capability.  Use telnet (e.g., "telnet
eve.assumption.edu 5000") to connect.  All may log on and play chess, but if
you wish to have your games recorded and develop a rating, register by
sending e-mail to the contact person listed below with the name & password
you'd like.
    Available servers:
valkyries.andrew.cmu.edu (128.2.232.4) 5000 [e-mail]
eve.assumption.edu (192.80.61.5) 5000 [e-mail]
    Features of ICS include:
o  Game score recording, with the time taken for each move.
o  You can have your game's moves automatically sent to you upon completion.
   You can also have the list of moves for any game sent to you.
o  Elo rating system.
o  Save/Load games.
o  Observe up to 8 on-going games.
o  Settable time clocks.
o  Standard communication package of "say," "tell," and "shout."
Also, see [18] for information on xics.

Michael Nolan has set up a mailing list for rec.games.chess which is
gatewayed to Usenet.  Messages sent to the list will be posted in
rec.games.chess, and all posts to rec.games.chess will be sent to the mailing
list.  The address to send messages to be posted to rec.games.chess is:
                  [e-mail]
The mailing list administration address is:
                  [e-mail]
tssi.com is a registered domain, but just in case the UUCP addresses are:
           tssi!chessnews  and  tssi!chessnews-request
Requests to be added to the mailing list should include a clear indication of
the e-mail address to be used, and will be verified before being accepted.
(This is to avoid problems with bounced e-mail.)

There is a mailing list which is not associated with rec.games.chess called
"chess-l."  It averages about 4 posts/day, which are sent to subscribers via
e-mail.  To subscribe to the chess-l newsgroup, send the message "subscribe
chess-l Your-Real-Name-Here" to [e-mail].

For those on the Internet whose sites do not receive rec.games.chess, it can
be read (along with all other Usenet groups) from an experimental bulletin
board system (EBBS) run by the University of North Carolina.  The Internet
address for EBBS is samba.acs.unc.edu (128.109.157.30).  A news reader
(read-only) is available to all users, but posting is limited to those who
have been verified by land mail.  Internet e-mail privileges are also
available to verified users.  All access to this system is free at this time.

There is a FidoNet conference for chess which offers games by e-mail.
Contact the moderator of the CHESS conference: Tim Eichman @ 1:273/603.5.

[18] Material Available via Anonymous FTP
-----------------------------------------

FTP is a way of copying files between networked computers.  Information on it
is available via anonymous FTP from rtfm.mit.edu (18.172.1.27) in the file
/pub/usenet/news.answers/finding-sources.  If you do not know how to use
anonymous FTP or do not have access to it, you can retrieve the file by
sending an e-mail message to [e-mail] with "send
usenet/news.answers/finding-sources" as the Subject: or body of the message.
(Send a message containing "help" for general information on the server.)
Or, see the posting titled "How to find sources (READ THIS BEFORE POSTING)"
in the news groups comp.sources.wanted or news.answers.  (Sigh: DON'T INCLUDE
any double quotes ("") given above.)