====================================================================        
     |\_                                                                    
    /  .\_         *  I E C G  *  I N F O R M A T I O N  *                  
   | ( ___)         Frequently Asked Questions About the                    
   |    \              International Email Chess Group                      
   |    |         -----------------------------------------                 
   /_____\        Version 4.52    *    Updated: 01 Dec 1996                 
  [_______]       -----------------------------------------                 
====================================================================        
"The International Email Chess Group, IECG, is one of main           
chess organization in the world. Since 1994 it has provided                 
Internet users with the opportunity to play rated email chess               
games with people all over the world for free. As of May 1996               
IECG comprises 3800 players in 70 countries around the world.               
                                                                         
Welcome to IECG!"                                                           
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
                     - Table of Contents -                                  
                                                                         
                   1. What IECG is all about                                
                   2. Frequently asked questions                            
                   3. New entries, game reports, claims,etc
                   4. IECG Contact List
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
1. WHAT IECG IS ALL ABOUT                                                   
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
   This section briefly describes some of the key aspects of the IECG,      
   such as free membership, the types of tournaments and events that        
   are offered, rating classes, how to join and information for new-        
   comers to email and/or chess.                                            

1.1 Free membership!                                                        
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
    Membership in the IECG is open to all. Participation in the IECG        
    programs and events is free of charge.                                

1.2 IECG offers the following forms of chess competition:                   
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
       * Single-game introduction matches                                   
       * Two-game matches                                                   
       * Quad tournaments                                                   
       * Class tournaments                                                  
       * IECG Cup tournament                                                
       * IECG World Championship Invitational                               

     Rate of play is 10 moves in 30 days for Two-game matches ,
     10 moves in 40 days for all other multi-player tournaments.                                                           

1.3 Ten rating classes are available:                                       
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
       Senior Master: 2400+                                                 
       Master:        2200-2399                                             
       Expert:        2000-2199                                             
       Class A:       1800-1999                                             
       Class B:       1600-1799                                             
       Class C:       1400-1599                                             
       Class D:       1200-1399                                             
       Class E:       1000-1199                                             
       Class F:          0- 999                                             
       Class G:         unrated

1.7 Pairings in two-game matches                                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
Please note that in mini two-game matches you may be paired above           
or below your category, within a 200-250 point rating differential.             

    Example: A player rated 2050 may be paired against a player             
             rated 1850.                                                    
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
2. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS                                               
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
2.1   What is IECG?                                                         
2.2   What is the purpose of the IECG?                                      
2.3   What are the goals of IECG?                                           
2.4   What relation does IECG have with online chess servers?               
2.5   What is the cooperation between ICCF and IECG?                        
2.6   HOW TO BECOME an IECG member !!
2.7   What algorithm is used to determine player ratings?                   
2.8   What is a good number of games to start?                              
2.9   What are the championship and class tournaments?                      
2.10  What if I wish to play in a Quad Tournament?                          
2.11  Am I going to get flagged if I must temporarily suspend play          
      because of other commitments?                                         
2.12  How do I blow the whistle on someone who won't move?                  
2.13  How do we resolve typographical errors? (touch-move?)                 
2.14  Where can I get IECG information via www, ftp or email?               
2.15  How do I use the automated routines for requesting more action?       
2.16  How do I use the automated routines for reporting game results?       
2.17  How do I report a change in email address?                            

2.1 What is IECG?                                                           
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
The International Email Chess Group (IECG) is the largest international 
email chess organization.                                          

In early 1994, about a dozen chessplayers met via email to form the         
International Email Chess Group. Since that time IECG has experienced       
phenomenal growth.                                                          

We currently have over 3200 registered players at all playing levels -      
from grandmaster to novice - in 68 countries, and the number is 
growing daily.

The range and sophistication of our tournaments and services has            
expanded along with the membership base. For example, we now offer          
a complete range of tournaments and matches to suit players of all          
strengths.                                                                  

Every player regardless of strength receives an international Elo           
rating based on his performance. These ratings are regularly updated,       
and all players have access to on-line searchable ratings and games         
databases.                                                                  

IECG documents, the Quick Guide and Official Rules and Regulations are      
available via "autoresponders" and can be retrieved from anywhere in 
the world by sending email as follows:

IECG Quick Guide                         => iecg@mailback.com
IECG Rules (for matches)                 => rules@alvarez.satlink.net
IECG Tournament Rules                    => t-rules@alvarez.satlink.net
IECG Algebr. Notation and Move Transm.   => algebra@alvarez.satlink.net
IECG Reflection Time made easy           => reftime@alvarez.satlink.net
                                                                            
In addition, a monthly IECG Bulletin is published electronically       
and submited to our members through the IECG mailing list.                          

All of the activities described above have been implemented and             
maintained through the efforts of a small team of very dedicated and        
highly motivated IECG volunteers.                                           

IECG membership is open to all. There is no membership fee, nor are         
there any fees to participate in our expanding range of tournaments,        
nor to take advantage of our ever-widening range of special services.       

2.2 What is the purpose of the IECG?                                        
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
To continue to provide chessplayers throughout the world with the           
opportunity to compete and meet new chess friends in the context of an      
organization that does not require fees for membership and the rating       
of games. Players are required to have their own access to Internet,        
or the ability to use the Internet address of a friend.                     

2.3 What are the goals of IECG?                                             
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
The goals of the IECG are two-fold:                                         

(a) to fully staff IECG with capable volunteers - including trainers        
    for those new to chess via email - so that the chess-via-Internet       
    community can continue to enjoy the benefits of this service; and       
                                                                            
(b) to gain further recognition in the world's chess community so that      
    all members can enjoy that measure of status of belonging to an         
    international chess organization.                                       

2.4 What is the relation between IECG and the online chess servers ?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
None, at this moment.

2.5 What is the cooperation between the IECG and the ICCF?                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
At the International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF) Congress        
in Gjovik, Norway, 2-9 September 1995, the ICCF and the IECG concluded      
an agreement providing for a program of cooperation between the two       
organizations in the promotion of international email correspondence        
chess.                                                                      

The volunteer-based IECG group won praise from the ICCF leadership for      
its work in popularizing international email correspondence chess,          
noting that the 'ICCF recognizes the rapid progress which IECG have         
achieved in developing a service to chessplayers worldwide using email,     
and is pleased to join in partnership with them to promote all forms of     
correspondence chess'.                                                      

2.6 How to become an IECG Member !
----------------------------------------------------------------------
All prospective members must complete the mandatory IECG training/          
evaluation (T/E) program.                                                 
                                                                            
This program involves a complete email 2-game match, played against a
selected opponent (typically another prospective member)
under the helpful supervision of an IECG volunteer trainer.            

Even stronger players/masters find the T/E program beneficial, as         
the mandatory T/E match provides them with the opportunity to review         
carefully the unique aspects of chess-by-email in an unrated setting.       

If a player can document substantial chess-by-email playing experience      
when joining IECG, then player may petition the IECG to omit the T/E        
program from their membership requirements.                 

Players with officially established ratings with other organizations will 
be able to play rated games after the T/E phase. Those with no established
rating will be asked to play four (4) further rated games against rated
opponents, as this will help to give them a more reliable provisional 
rating.              

The unique IECG training/evaluation program is perhaps one of the         
reasons that there are so few dropouts or 'silent withdrawals' from         
IECG events.                                                                

For further info and to register, please contact our Tutorial Office at:
<vania@uts.cc.utexas.edu>. We have tutors in several languages!


2.7 What algorithm is used to determine player ratings?                     
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
* Formulas are similar to those used by ICCF.                       
  Please note: National ratings -- with appropriate conversions -- can      
  apply.                                                                    

A new "rating scheme" was approved by the IECG Council. Details will be
available soon through an email robot autoresponder. In short:

 1) New Players with a rating from a different organisation get a 
    starting rating according to the list in the new rating scheme document
    (mainly as is, ICCF members get an established rating).
 2) New Players without a rating start with an entry or starting rating
    of 800.
 3) If the player thinks his rating should be higher, he can select to
    play a Rating tournament (four games) only for getting a better (or
    worse!) starting rating. 
    While he /she plays in a Rating Tournament, cannot enter other IECG 
    events like class, cup, two-games or quads.
 4) The rating calculations are not made "game per game" but in "batch mode",
    taking the results of a player over a period of 2 months (or more). This
    will reduce "fluctuations", and it will give us a statistically stabler
    system, similar to the one used by ICCF.

2.8 New players frequently ask: "What is a recommended number of games      
    to carry at the beginning?"                                             
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
The question of how many games to play at one time from the beginning       
is difficult to answer without knowing the amount of available free         
time, the level of other commitments and the threshold of stress of         
the player.                                                                 

One suggestion is to start with one, two, or even three two-game            
matches. After such games completion, you will have a more exact idea
about your needs, and how much time you spent in the email games.


2.9 What are the championship, cup and class tournaments?                   
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
IECG World Championship Invitational -- runs in a two steps cicle:
IECG WCh Semifinal - invitations are extended winners in Class M of          
Class tournaments and Quads M tournaments to play a 7-player (or 9-, or 11-) 
single round group, and the IECG Wch Final, with players qualified from
IECG WCh Semifinals and first placed in the previous final.

IECG World Championship Invitational I, which began on 15 January           
1996, is a nine-player single round robin event, and within a high-
quality staff of players, there are several International Grand
Masters of Correspondence Chess (ICCF).                            

IECG Cup tournament -- available annually is a cycle of tournaments,        
open to all members, consisting of preliminary round(s), and leading        
to the final round in the form of 7-player (or 9-, or 11-) single           
round groups. A cycle typically takes two years to completion.              

IECG Cup I, which began play on 15 September 1995, had 203 participants 
from 34 countries in 29 sections.                                     
IECG Cup I semifinal started with 63 players in several sections on
15 September 1996.
IECG Cup II began on early November 1996 with 273 players!, in 39 sec-
tions.

Class tournaments -- on a continuing basis, seven-player single round       
tournaments are started as soon as valid groups of seven players are        
formed in their respective tournament classes:                              
                  ---rating---                                              
        class M   2200 and higher                                           
        class 1   1800 - 2199                                               
        class 2   1400 - 1799                                               
        class 3   1000 - 1399                                               
        class N     up to 999.                                              

Promotions/demotions to adjacent tournament classes are based on ratings    
and tournament results.                                                     

Quad tournaments -- on a continuing basis, 4 players double round       
tournaments are started as soon as valid groups of four players are        
formed in their respective tournament classes:                              
                  ---rating---                                              
        class M   2200 and higher                                           
        class 1   1800 - 2199                                               
        class 2   1400 - 1799                                               
        class 3   1000 - 1399                                               
        class N     up to 999.                                              

Promotions/demotions to adjacent tournament classes are based on ratings    
and tournament results.                                                   

2.10 What if I wish to play in a quad tournament?                            
-------------------------------------------------
IECG quads are 4-player *double round robin* mini-tournaments.              
Each player plays two games against each opponent, one as white and         
one as black.                                                               
For further details, please contact Richard Kyllo <rkyllo@mts.net>         

2.11 Am I going to get flagged if I am confronted with other                
     commitments                                                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
Players often ask if they are going to get flagged when confronted          
with major events and/or unexpected changes in their lives, such as a       
job-change, a-big-project, an-exam, a-week's-vacation or family-crisis.     
                                                                            
You will not get flagged if you advise your opponents *in advance*,
requesting an adjournment, with a copy of that message sent to your 
Class tournament secretary (TS)

In short, adjourments are permissible IF the TD or TS is notified           
in advance, and the notification is confirmed.                              

2.12 How do I blow the whistle on someone who won't move?                   
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
Please read the IECG Rules of Play or IECG Tournament Rules, depending
what event your are taking part.

In short, prior to making a complaint, you need:
- Repeat your last message to your opponent !
- If no answer or receipt acknowledgement was received after 7 more days,
  please contact *your Tournament Secretary*

To expedite processing of your claim, provide full details, including       
match type, match number, opponent's name and email address, nature of      
claim, agreed pace (if applicable), number of repeat messages sent,         
reflection time documentation, and complete record of moves.                

The following form may be used for your convenience.                        
======================================================================      
                  * IECG Forfeit/Cancel claim  *                            
======================================================================      
Match Type            : [ ] Training game                                   
                        [ ] Two-Game match                                  
                        [ ] Quad Tournament                                 
                        [ ] Class Tournament                                
                        [ ] Cup Tournament                                  

Match Number           :                                                    
Opponent's name        :                                                    
Opponent's email       :                                                    
Nature of claim        : [ ] Forfeit                                        
                         [ ] Cancel                                         
                         [ ] Other:                                         

Agreed pace            : [ ] Snoozer                                        
                         [ ] Semi-Frantic                                   
                         [ ] Frantic                                        
                         [ ] Other:                                         

Number of repeats send :                                                    

Please include your game score below, including the names of who is         
playing white and black, and documentation for reflection time used         
by both players.                                                            
======================================================================      

** The previous form *must* to be send your Tournament Secretary (TS).
If you take a few minutes to fill out the form, your TS will act faster!

2.13 How do we resolve typographical errors?  (touch-move?)                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
When playing in a two-game match or in a multi-player tournament, notify 
your tournament secretary. (TS).
                      
Send copies of move transmissions indicating the error.                     

2.14 Where can I get IECG information via www, ftp or email?                
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
Additional IECG information, including the IECG games database in           
portable game notation (PGN) and Chessbase formats, can be obtained         
from these sources:                                                         

  1. Chess WWW server http://www.ub.uit.no/chess/                           
  2. By e-mail using the "autoresponders" quoted above.
  3. ftp.pitt.edu/group/chess/NEWS/  files named iecg...

2.15 How do I use the automated routines for requesting more action?        
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
  The system is under construction. Please *do not use* the former
  automated routines !!

2.16 How do I use the automated routines for reporting game results?        
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
  The system is under construction. Please *do not use* the former
  automated routines !!

2.17 How do I report a change in email address?                             
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
  Please send the following info to:  elvis@giga.com.ar

LAST & FIRST NAME:
NEW EMAIL ADDRESS:
YOUR COUNTRY:

----------------------------------------------------------------------      
3. COMMUNICATION CHECKLIST                                                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------      

3.1 REQUESTS FOR ENTRY INTO NEW QUAD SECTIONS *ONLY FOR IECG MEMBERS*
Please send all requests for entry into new Quad sections to                
TD for Quads Richard Kyllo  <rkyllo@mts.net>                                 

REQUESTS FOR ENTRY INTO ALL OTHER EVENTS *ONLY FOR IECG MEMBERS*
Please send requests for entry into 2-game matches or class or other        
tournaments to <elvis@giga.com.ar> using the following form:

BEGIN TOURNAMENT  
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  First & Last name   :
  Email address       :
  Country:
  I wish to join a tournament: (put an X in your class)

  ( ) Class Tournament, 7 players, 6 games
  ( ) Two games matches
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
END TOURNAMENT                      

3.3 REPORTING GAME RESULTS
--------------------------
Send reports *only* to the appropriate Tournament Secretary.
You can see a lot of examples in the present newsletter (PGN games)

IMPORTANT: For registering results, the winner (the player with white for draw) 
needs to report: a) gamescores in PGN format (according to the example below)
,b) results,c) the IECG Tournament or Quad name or 2-Games-Match-Number", 
d) email address of *both* chessplayers.

Subject: GAME REPORT
My opponent email address is: <...@...>

[Event "1.017"]        correct event name and number: this example 
[Site "IECG"]                      refers to Class 1 #017
[Date "1996.11.27"]    date of completion of game: very important!
[Round "1"]            round number: very important for 2 game events!
[White "Alvarez, Roberto"]
[Black "Paetzold, Ortwin"]
[Result "1-2-1/2"]     or 1-0, 0-1

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 1/2-1/2

All reports *not* in this format will give more work to our Tournament
Secretaries, and cause a delay in the rating system.
*****
HINTS
******

Please, help your TS in the following way:
- Send gamescores & results in the right format !
- Send him the email addresses of your opponents!

There are several useful programs *freeware or shareware* you can use
for storing email games, time-keeping and to submit PGN reports:
(free demos availables through ftp.pitt.edu/group/chess)

ECTOOL v.1.60 : A Windows 3.1/Windows 95 program, very nice interface,
		  stores current/finished email games. Exports to PGN
		  notation, sends messages on-line, allows to send
		  IECG tournament entry forms. Absolutely IECG compliant.
		  Contact: avalverde@redestb.es (IECG member)
		  http://www.redestb.es/personal/avalverde
CHESS RECORDER : Windows 3.1 software, Shareware.Demo Available through
                 ftp.pitt.edu/group/chess\UTILS
FILEMATE        : Windows 3.1 or higher. 74401.3055@compuserve.com
DBSCHESS 1.7    : Windows 3.1. 4 language options. For more info:
                http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/DBSugden

And some commercial ones,which of course, have many more features!

Rebel 8.0                http://www.xs4all.nl/~rebchess/
                         email: rebchess@xs4all.nl
MChess PRO 6.0           email: mchesspro@aol.com 
BOOKUP                   http://www.coil.com/~bookup/
                         email: bookup@coil.com

3.4 CLAIMS REQUIRING ARBITRATION

All claims requiring arbitration should be sent to your Tournament
Secretary (TS). If you do not agree with your TS decision, you can
write to the Appeal Instance within 10 (ten) days of receiving your
TS decision. The Appeal Instance ruling is *definitive*

3.5 ALL OTHER COMMUNICATION

Please send all other communications to <elvis@giga.com.ar>
This includes specific problems/situations not covered by the above,
or troubles contacting your Tournament Secretary.       

----------------------------------------------------------------------      
4. IECG CONTACT LIST
----------------------------------------------------------------------      
IECG Council

  Roberto Alvarez          (ARG) roberto@alvarez.satlink.net
  John Bartkiw             (CAN) bartkiw@gaul.csd.uwo.ca
  Ian Brooks               (ENG) all4two@fast.net
  Sergio Cuniolo           (ITA) sergio@sia.cise.it
  Robert Dournes           (FRA) dournesr@micronet.fr 
  John Head                (USA) wallaby@exis.net
  Richard Kyllo            (CAN) rkyllo@mts.net
  Mats Larsson             (SWE) matsl@axis.se
  Thayne MacLean           (CAN) thayne@ra.isisnet.com
  Vania Mascioni           (SUI) vania@uts.cc.utexas.edu 
  Juan Morgado             (ARG) juan.morgado@alvarez.satlink.net
  Artur Mrugala            (CAN) artur@superiway.net
  Ortwin Paetzold          (GER) ortwin@bonsai.cologne.de 
  Filiberto Pivirotto      (ITA) fpivirot@ouverture.it
  Pierandrea Rosso         (ITA) pierosso@tigullio.liguria.it
  Pedro Taboada            (CHI) ptaboada@cmetnet.cmet.net

IECG Secretary: Roberto Alvarez (ARG)  <elvis@giga.com.ar>
=====================================
IECG World Championship I
=========================
Tournament Secretary:   Pedro Hegoburu (ARG)<pedro.hegoburu@alvarez.satlink.net>
Appeal Instance     :   Alan Rawlings (ENG) <alanr@bpcf.u-net.com>

IECG Class M ***New Tournament Secretary****
============
Tournament Secretary:   Filiberto Pivirotto (ITA) <fpivirot@ouverture.it>
                        or fpivirot@mare.gol.grosseto.it
IECG Class 1
============
for tournaments up to # 057 :
Tournament Secretary    Sergio Cuniolo (ITA) <sergio@sia.cise.it>
beginning with # 058  :  John A Head (USA)  <wallaby@exis.net> 
     
IECG Class 2   ***New Tournament Secretary***
============
"odd" groups (1,15,27)  Robert Dournes (FRA)  <dournesr@micronet.fr>
"even" groups (2,16,28) Roberto Alvarez (ARG) <elvis@giga.com.ar>
					   
IECG Class 3
============
for *odd* Groups (1,3,5,etc):
Tournament Secretary:   Ian Brooks (ENG) <all4two@fast.net>
for *even* (2,4,6,etc): ***New address****
Tournament Secretary:   Arthur Mrugala (CAN) <artur@superiway.net>

IECG Class N
=============
for *odd* Groups (1,3,5,etc):
Tournament Secretary:   John Bartkiw (CAN) <bartkiw@gaul.csd.uwo.ca>
http://gaul.csd.uwo.ca:8080/~bartkiw/chess.html
for *even* (2,4,6,etc):
Tournament Secretary:   Pedro Taboada (CHI) <ptaboada@cmetnet.cmet.net>

IECG Cup                
========
Tournament Secretary:   Pierandrea Rosso (ITA) <pierosso@tigullio.liguria.it>
http://www.split.it/users/pierosso/index/htm
			      
Quad Tournaments
================
Tournament Secretary:   Richard Kyllo (CAN)    <rkyllos@mts.net>
     
2-Game Matches
==============
Tournament Secretary:                 Roberto Alvarez (ARG) 
(matches started under "old" IECG)    <elvis@giga.com.ar>
(starting with #12000) :     Thayne MacLean (CAN)                     
                             <thayne@ra.isisnet.com>

Tutorial Program
================
We need experienced volunteers in this section to work as tutors so that
new members can be admitted faster.
Please contact (in English, Italian, French or German)

    Vania Mascioni (SUI) <vania@uts.cc.utexas.edu>

Rating tournamens for newcommers: Klaus Kluge (GER) <inphobos@wupper.de>
================================
Appeal Instance :	Bjoern Gambaeck (SWE) <gam@coli.uni-sb.de>
=================
Rating Office: ***New Address***
============== 
    Ortwin Paetzold (GER) <ortwin@bonsai.eics.com> 

Archivist:      Donald Camper (USA) <kingpawn@ctd.com> 
=========
Adjudicator:  Mats Larson (SWE)  <matsl@axis.se>      
===========
Advisor: GM Juan Morgado  <juan.morgado@alvarez.satlink.net>          
=======
--------------------------------------------------------------------
                IECG - International Email Chess Group 
====================================================================        
           (c) 1996 International Email Chess Group (IECG) 
----------
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