4 Usage: set formula <formula-expression>
9 The formula variable filters out match requests. If you have a formula set,
10 then any match request not satisfying your formula is automatically declined;
11 you will be notified that the offer was made and rejected by your formula. If
12 you make an offer that fails a player's formula, you will be given this
13 feedback. A user's formula and f-variable settings are displayed using the
14 "variables" command. You disable (turn off) your formula by typing "set
15 formula". This will, in essence, erase your current formula setting.
17 Here are some simple examples, with descriptions in [] brackets:
19 blitz [match must be blitz]
20 !wild [match must be non-wild]
21 inc >= 10 [match must have an increment of 10 or higher]
23 Create or modify a formula by using the "set" command. For example, "set
24 formula blitz". Special variables (f1-f9) can also be established using the
25 "set" command; these variables make it easier to modify your formula depending
31 (1) Decide whether you will be changing your formula often. If so, think
32 about using f-variables to make these changes easier.
34 (2) Decide exactly what kinds of filters you want to have, such as type of
35 game, time controls, and kinds of opponents.
37 (3) Review the available formula operators and pre-defined variables (listed
38 below) to see which ones fit your needs.
40 (4) Write out your formula and f-variables on paper to make sure that their
43 (5) Enter the logical expressions for the f-variables and formula using the
46 Changing your f-variables and formula follows the same procedures.
51 Several variables are allowed in formula settings. Some of these variables
52 hold numerical information while others are Boolean (true/false, 1/0). Here
53 is a list of allowed variables, where Boolean variables are denoted by "(B)":
55 The following variables are allowed in formulas:
58 ------------ ---------------------------------------------------
59 abuser 1 if opponent is on the abuser list; 0 otherwise (B)
60 assessdraw How many rating points you will gain/lose by drawing a
62 assessloss How many rating points you will lose by losing a chess
64 assesswin How many rating points you will gain by winning a chess
66 blitz 1 if match is blitz in type; 0 otherwise (B)
67 computer 1 if opponent is a computer; 0 otherwise (B)
68 inc Increment time for each player
69 lightning 1 if match is lightning in type; 0 otherwise (B)
70 maxtime(n) The maximum time n moves will take for BOTH players
71 (in seconds) [you must supply the 'n' value]
72 mymaxtime(n) The maximum time n moves will take YOU (in seconds)
73 [you must supply the 'n' value]
75 nonstandard 1 if the game will have different time controls for the
76 two players; 0 otherwise (B)
77 private 1 if game will be private; 0 otherwise (B)
78 rated 1 if game will be rated; 0 otherwise (B)
79 rating Opponent's rating
80 ratingdiff The difference between opponent's rating and your
81 rating [rating - myrating]
82 registered 1 if opponent is a registered user; 0 otherwise (B)
83 standard 1 if game will be standard in type; 0 otherwise (B)
84 timeseal 1 if opponent has timeseal; 0 otherwise (B)
85 time Start time for each player
86 untimed 1 if game will not involve the clock; 0 otherwise (B)
87 wild 1 if game will be wild in type; 0 otherwise (B)
89 Also, the word "minutes" is allowed after a number that is not enclosed in
90 parentheses (but right now, you must use "1 minutes"; the singular is not
91 recognized). The word has the effect of multiplying the previous number by
92 60, thus turning minute-values into seconds-values -- important for the
93 maxtime and mymaxtime variables. For example, "2 minutes" would yield the
99 The following formula operators are allowed; their order of precedence in
100 the calculations and evaluations is listed. Sometimes more than one set of
101 symbols leads to the same result. When functions in the formula have equal
102 precedence, the precedence is from left to right.
104 Symbol Function Precedence
105 ------ ------------------------------- ----------
107 - minus [as in -20 or -variable] 1
113 <= less than or equal to [ =< also works] 4
115 >= greater than or equal to [ => also works] 4
116 = equals [ == also works] 5
117 != not equals [ <> also works] 6
118 & and [ && also works as does 'and'] 7
119 | or [ || also works as does 'or'] 8
121 Parentheses () are allowed in formulas and function as they do in numerical
122 equations: expressions within parentheses are evaluated first. You can use
123 the pound sign '#' after your settings to provide comments and reminders to
124 yourself. NOTE: The program divides by a fudge factor of .001 instead of
128 USER-DEFINED FORMULA VARIABLES (f-variables)
130 F1 through f9 are user-defined formula variables changed by using the "set"
131 command. These variables can return either numerical or Boolean results.
132 They make it easy to change one part of your formula without retying the whole
133 thing, or to adjust your formula depending on your mood. For example, if your
134 various f-variables were ...
136 f1 rated & time=5 & inc=0 # rated 5 minute games
138 f3 maxtime(40) >= 2*8minutes # at least 8 mins each for 40 moves
139 f4 f2>400 # I want a REAL fight
141 f6 standard | (ratingdiff<200 & blitz)
143 ... then, depending on your mood, you could type one of the following:
145 set formula f1 & f5 # rated 5 min. games only
146 set formula f2 > -100 # long games, decent competition
148 -or- set formula f2 >= 0 | blitz
150 You define an f-variable using the "set" command. With respect to the above
151 examples, you would type such lines as ...
154 set f4 f2>400 # I want a REAL fight
158 Be careful how you write the f-variables. Make sure they have the proper
159 sequence. For example, f5 can refer to f2 but f5 cannot refer to f8.
164 Using maxtime sets the expected total time for the game. If your formula
165 (or f-variable) included the following expression ...
167 maxtime(30) <= 10 minutes
169 ... this would allow no more than 10 minutes total time for the first 30 moves
170 of the game (5 minutes for each player, or any other combination).
173 CREDITS: Formula program for FICS written by Dave Herscovici (hersco)
176 See Also: assess blitz lightning match timeseal variables
178 [Last modified: December 17, 1995 -- Friar]