--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 123 CHESS Ref: DEQ00032 Date: 10/20/96 From: BRUCE MOON Time: 01:48pm \/To: WILLIE WALKER (Read 1 times) Subj: WW vs. BM On (07 Oct 96) Willie Walker wrote to Bruce Moon... GAME 2 -- Walker-Moon: 1 d3 d5 2 Bd2 e5 3 Nc3 f5 4 e3 Nf6 5 Qf3 Nc6 6 0-0-0 Be6 7 Kb1 Be7 8 Ka1 d4 9 exd4 Nxd4 10 Qxb7 Ba3 11 ... GAME 3 -- Moon-Walker: 1 d4 e6 2 c4 ... WW>BM> I was utilizing a "literary allusion". (Look it up! That's what WW>BM> books are for! ) WW> Oh yeah, I just now remembered that Zeus and the other gods played WW> chess and that influenced life on earth. Sorry, my mind wonders WW> for days and I don't know whats going on... Well, at least it doesn't wander very far... Later, Bruce Moon --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 123 CHESS Ref: DEQ00033 Date: 10/20/96 From: BRUCE MOON Time: 02:25pm \/To: EARL MONTGOMERY (Read 1 times) Subj: Would like to play a game On (19 Oct 96) Earl Montgomery wrote to ALL... EM> I would like to play a game with someone who checks this echo at EM> least once several times a day. I read this echo at EM> least 3 times every day. It would seem you have some serious misconceptions about how this echo works. First of all, this is not some local conference; it's carried all over the globe. I have opponents in India, Singapore, the Ukraine, Germany, Belgium, and more. It takes an average of 2-3 days for a message to be seen by its intended recipient after being sent. Most players try to respond within 48 hours, and their reply will take 2-3 days for the return trip. Games against opponents outside your Zone are often slower. Thus, expecting any particular game to progress significantly faster than one move pair per week is unrealistic. I have games going with 30-40 opponents here and it's a waste of my time to check the echo more than nce a day. Some days, in fact, I get nothing! EM> I would prefer to play one of the regulars on this echo. Well, I certainly qualify there. How about 2 games, 1 of each color? GAME 1 -- Moon-Montgomery: 1 e4 ... GAME 2 -- Montgomery-Moon: 1 ... EM> My playing strength is around 2000. I prefer not to play against EM> your computer but against YOU. However, since there is no way for EM> me to know I'll take my chances. You may find that the uncalled-for presumption of rampant cheating in this echo will offend many. I've been playing here for over 2 years and have played against anybody who'll hang around long enough to play, and played through games between other players, and I have yet to see ANY reason or hint to accuse ANYONE of using "mechanical" brain cells. Later, Bruce Moon --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 123 CHESS Ref: DEQ00034 Date: 10/20/96 From: BRUCE MOON Time: 04:22pm \/To: CRAIG WHITEMAN (Read 1 times) Subj: Help! 1/2 On (12 Oct 96) Craig Whiteman wrote to ALL... CW> Could someone please explain how a game works, and the CW> notation used? Rules or FAQ might help? This Weekly 'How To' Guide was written and generously donated to this echo by Bruce Moon. 1. IS THIS ECHO FOR PLAYING CHESS GAMES OR JUST DISCUSSING CHESS-RELATED TOPICS? Both, actually. There are people here who play very little chess within the echo, but participate in most of the discussions. Conversely, there are those who play chess and leave the discussions to others. We also have many people who play chess and discuss topics. 2. ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON DISCUSSION TOPICS? Well, in general, the topics should chess-related without being mean-spirited or offensive. For a more complete run-down, post a message to "Moderator", asking for a copy of the ECHO GUIDELINES. 3. HOW MANY GAMES CAN I PLAY AT ONCE? As many as you can handle without feeling "crowded". The important thing is to be willing to finish any game(s) you start. Should you decide to stop playing, or if circumstances make it difficult to continue, you should notify your opponents of your intent to discontinue. (Notify them individually if at all possible, as a message to "All" may get overlooked.) 4. HOW DO I TELL MY OPPONENT WHAT MOVE I MADE? Moves are transmitted by writing them in some form of CHESS NOTATION. The three main forms of notation used in this echo are Algebraic Notation, Coordinate Notation, and Descriptive Notation. Because many of the players in this echo reside in non-English-speaking countries, it is strongly recommended that you use Algebraic or Coordinate notations for your games here. Descriptive simply doesn't "translate" well. Ask the moderator for a "how-to" sheet on Algebraic Notation. 5. HOW DO I MAKE DIAGRAMS? Although a few people use special software programs to generate diagrams, most of the players do without unless they are discussing a chess problem or some specific position. If you want to use diagrams, and you don't have the software, the easy way is to find a diagram format someone else is using you like and then "capture" it. 6. HOW DO I FIND AN OPPONENT? The usual way is to post a message to "All" stating your desire to play. Alternatively, you can send messages to other people who request opponents, or ask specific people already playing games if they can handle one more opponent. PLEASE BE PATIENT! Most of the players here are NOT in your local area, and some are even on other continents. It will probably be at least 7-10 days before you can expect to get replies. If you don't hear anything within 2-3 weeks, it means there is a communication problem somewhere -- just post your request(s) again. (If you are also new to BBS-ing in general, check with the sysop of your local BBS to make sure you understand how to receive messages.) 7. ARE THE GAMES THAT ARE PLAYED HERE RATED? No, but many of the players here are rated OTB (over-the-board) in their native countries, or carry ratings from various correspondence chess organizations. (But see also the note following the answer to #8.) 8. ARE THERE ANY ORGANIZED TOURNAMENTS ON THIS ECHO? Yes! As of this date (20 Oct 96), two events are in progress (the INTER-ECHO MATCH and the MON-MAN TOURNEY), and a third event (the FIDO ALL '96 TOURNEY) is currently accepting entries (watch the echo for info!). Such things are dependent on player interest, player commitment, and someone willing to accept the headaches of organizing and/or directing such vents. (NOTE: No rating system is in current use here, but one COULD be worked ut for such events.) 9. WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T HEAR FROM AN OPPONENT FOR SEVERAL WEEKS? Bear in mind that FIDONET is not a perfect system -- messages do get lost. Also, other things happen that prevent communcation -- satellite problems, regional snafus, individual BBSs go on the fritz or leave town or stop carrying the echo, players have equipment problems, etc. It is also true that players desert the echo and leave their opponents hanging. In general, though, most players reply to a move within 48 hours of receiving it, so if the usual flow of messages from a given opponent suddenly grinds to a halt, it means either your opponent never got your last message, or his reply never reached you. If you have difficulties establishing or maintaining communication with another echo participant, send a netmail or echomail message TO: MODERATOR requesting assistance in isolating the communication problem. Later, Bruce Moon --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 123 CHESS Ref: DEQ00035 Date: 10/20/96 From: BRUCE MOON Time: 04:17pm \/To: CRAIG WHITEMAN (Read 1 times) Subj: Help! 2/2 Area : CHESS Date : Mar 03 '95, 05:37 From : Bruce Moon 1:356/4 Subj : Algebraic Notation First of all, the FILES (vertical rows of squares) are lettered "a"-"h" (see diagram); and the RANKS (horizontal rows of squares) are numbered "1"-"8" (see diagram). [NOTE: Chess diagrams are usually oriented with White at the bottom and Black at the top. Also, for purposes of this diagram and similar ASCII constructions, White pieces are represented by uppercase letters, Black by lowercase.] 8: r n b q k b n r R 7: p p p p p p p p A 6: - - - - - - - - N 5: - j - - - - - - K 4: - - - z - - - - S 3: - - - - - - - - 2: P P P P P P P P 1: R N B Q K B N R -------------------------- a b c d e f g h F I L E S This gives each square a unique name, since each square is located on exactly one file-rank intersection. In referring to specific squares, the file is given first, then the rank. In the diagram, the square marked with a "j" is called "b5", and "z" is named "d4". In describing moves, the pieces are reduced to their initial letters, with two exceptions. Knights are to "N" (since "K" already stands for "King"), and Pawns are not designated with a letter at all (I'll clarify that in a moment). In general, each move is represented by the initial of the piece moving followed by the square it lands on, such as "Nf6", "Bc4", "Rd1", etc. Pawn moves are indicated by the square they move to, such as "e4", "c6", "f4", c. Captures are indicated by inserting an "x" between the piece and the end-square: "Bxc6", "Kxd8", "Nxe5", etc. Pawn captures include the starting file: "exd5", "bxc6", "cxd4", etc. A plus mark "+" is used for "check", and "++" signifies "checkmate". For castling, "0-0" (Kingside) and "0-0-0" (Queenside) are used; and for en passant, "e.p." is added after the move ("dxc6 e.p.", for example). For Pawn promotion, an equal sign "=" and the letter of the piece promoted to are dded to the move: "g8=Q", bxa1=N, etc. Ambiguity occurs when two pieces of the same color and type are able to move to the same square. This can happen as early as the third move. Let's say White's first move was 1 d4 and his second was 2 Nf3. At this point either White Knight could move to d2, so writing "Nd2" is ambiguous. The situation is clarified by inserting either the rank or the file the moving piece starts on: 3 Nbd2 or 3 Nfd2. (NOTE: By convention, the file designation is used to resolve ambiguities, unless the pieces in question are on the same file to start with, in which case, the rank gets the nod.) As for the use of question marks (?) and exclamation points (!) -- these are chess writers' diacritical markings. "?" means a bad move, and "!" means a good or strong move. You will also see "??" (horrendous move) and "!!" (tremendous move). What writers are often inconsistent on are the meanings of "?!" and "!?". (Actually, the meanings are fairly well agreed upon -- it's which meaning goes with which symbol wherein the problem lies!). In my own chess writing (for the local chess club), "?!" indicates an "inexactitude", a move for hich there was probably a superior alternative, but the move actually made is not quite bad enough to be called a "blunder". Conversely, "!?" is an "inter- esting" move, and is used to indicate a move which is not quite a "strong" move, often mixed with a bit of uncertainty or risk. That's all there is to Standard Algebraic Notation -- except for practice, practice, practice! Later, Bruce Moon --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 123 CHESS Ref: DER00000 Date: 10/20/96 From: RYAN LITTLE Time: 07:20pm \/To: ALL (Read 1 times) Subj: New HI everybody, forgive my ignorance but it has been many years since I have had anbody to play a game of chess with, and a whole lot longger than that since I used numbers to play. Is there a text file I can look for that would give me your game play rules, and preferably a board with the positions on it. I am runnig on an Amiga 3000 so some of the things may not work but text will. RyAn LiTTle ... Call 1-900-SX-CHANGE and ask for Lorena. * Q-Blue 2.0 [NR] * --- Maximus 3.01 * Origin: The BandMaster, Vancouver, B.C., Canada (1:153/7715) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 123 CHESS Ref: DER00001 Date: 10/21/96 From: EARL MONTGOMERY Time: 01:19pm \/To: BRUCE MOON (Read 1 times) Subj: Would like to play a game On Oct 20 14:25 96, Bruce Moon of 1:356/4.27 wrote: BM> On (19 Oct 96) Earl Montgomery wrote to ALL... EM> I would like to play a game with someone who checks this EM> echo at least once several times a day. I read EM> this echo at least 3 times every day. BM> It would seem you have some serious misconceptions about BM> how this echo works. First of all, this is not some local BM> conference; it's carried all over the globe. I have BM> opponents in India, Singapore, the Ukraine, Germany, BM> Belgium, and more. It takes an average of 2-3 days for a BM> message to be seen by its intended recipient after being BM> sent. Most players try to respond within 48 hours, and BM> their reply will take 2-3 days for the return trip. Games BM> against opponents outside your Zone are often slower. BM> Thus, expecting any particular game to progress BM> significantly faster than one move pair per week is BM> unrealistic. I have games going with 30-40 opponents here BM> and it's a waste of my time to check the echo more than BM> once a day. Some days, in fact, I get nothing! I did not realize how slow play can be. I am afraid that would be too slow for me. But I appreciate the info you provided. EM> My playing strength is around 2000. I prefer not to play EM> against your computer but against YOU. However, since there EM> is no way for me to know I'll take my chances. BM> You may find that the uncalled-for presumption of rampant BM> cheating in this echo will offend many. I've been playing BM> here for over 2 years and have played against anybody who'll BM> hang around long enough to play, and played through games BM> between other players, and I have yet to see ANY reason or BM> hint to accuse ANYONE of using "mechanical" brain cells. I did not intend to offend anyone but evidently I did. I never thought there was "rampant cheating" going on and did not use those words. I've played many a game over the computer where before the game started we both agreed NOT to use our computers. Then I have played several games where it was "UNDERSTOOD" my computer against your computer. Regards --- Msgedsq 2.2e * Origin: Earl's Point * Dallas TX * (1:124/5125.11) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 123 CHESS Ref: DER00002 Date: 10/20/96 From: DALE COOPER Time: 08:02pm \/To: STEFAN WALTER (Read 1 times) Subj: DC vs. SW SW> God bless you, Dale! SW> Dale Cooper wrote to Stefan Walker: SW> ^^^ SW> My name ist Wa*l*ter :-) SW> Game 2 Cooper-Walter SW> 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Bb6 SW> 7. Bc4 Nge7 8. O-O d6 9. Nb5 Kd8 10. Nd2 Ne5 11. Be2 c6 12. Nd4 Bd7 SW> 13. f4 N5g6 14. Nf3(d2) Nh4 15. Nxh4 ?? SW> Game 1 Walker-Cooper SW> 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bg4 5. f3 Bh5 6. g4 Bg6 SW> 7. f4 e6 8. f5 exf5 9. exf5 Bxf5 10. gxf5 d5 11. Bb5+ Nc6 SW> 12. Bg5 Be7 13. Qe2 O-O 14. O-O-O Nd4 15. ?? Sorry about the mix up of the games, and about your name. I was going to fast last time. Dale --- Maximus 3.01 * Origin: MUSKEG BBS [Dawson Creek, BC] (604)782-9216 (1:3405/104) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 123 CHESS Ref: DER00003 Date: 10/20/96 From: DOUG ATTIG Time: 03:35pm \/To: ALL (Read 1 times) Subj: Chess Files on Filebone! The following files were placed on the Fido Filebone and International Filegate systems on Sunday 10-20-96. They are also being archived on ftp.pitt.edu under group/student-activities/chess followed by the area tag listed below, without the 'CHS-' (e.g. /CA). From the Web: http://www.pitt.edu/~schach Mouse on FTP Site, or on allindex.txt to download the index to the entire site. Area : CHS-CA Comment : CHS: Chess Assistant Data Files ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NICL-CA.ZIP 385,636 Nimzo-Indian, Classical Var. (4.Qc2): 4383 Games NIKM-CA.ZIP 93,564 Nimzo-Indian, Kmoch var. (4.f3): 964 Games NISP-CA.ZIP 31,313 Nimzo-Indian, Spielmann Var. (4.Qb3): 253 Games