6 This chess server's main purpose is to link users who want to play chess.
7 Among other things, the server allows you to contact other users about playing
8 chess matches, checks to make sure that your moves are legal, keeps track of
9 the board position while you play, and updates ratings of players after the
12 The basic way of contacting a user about playing a chess match is by using
13 the match command. There is a separate help file for the match command, so we
14 will not go into details here. But here is a list of the various commands
15 that you may want to learn about (remember that requests are sent to your
16 opponent, not to the server, and must be accepted by your opponent in order to
20 ------- --------------------------------------------
21 match request a match with another user
22 abort request that a game be canceled
23 accept accept a request from a user
24 adjourn request that the match be stopped, saved and continued at
26 decline decline a request from a user
27 draw request that the chess match be declared a draw
28 flag end the match because your opponent is out of time
29 moves have FICS send you the moves to the match you are playing
30 pause request that the match be suspended temporarily, but not
32 promote set the kind of piece a pawn will be promoted to when it
34 refresh display the current board position
35 resign give your opponent the win, and end the match
36 say communicate with your current (last) opponent
37 switch request that you and your opponent change sides (colors)
38 takeback request that one or move moves be taken back (canceled)
39 unpause request that a paused match be resumed
40 withdraw cancel a request you have made
42 It is possible to play matches with more than one user simultaneously, much
43 like a simultaneous exhibition at many major chess tournaments. If you are
44 interested in playing more than one chess game at once, or interested in
45 playing against someone with simultaneous matches, read the "simuls" file.
47 See Also: match simuls [and the individual commands]
49 [Last modified: June 16, 1995 -- Friar]