4 PLAYING IN CHESS MATCHES
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
15 The basic way of contacting a user about playing a chess match is by using
16 the match command. There is a separate help file for the match command, so we
17 will not go into details here. But here is the simplest way to ask another
22 The other user will be asked to accept or decline your match request. If the
23 user accepts, the server will determine who plays White and Black and will
24 notify you that a match has begun with that user. The starting position will
25 be sent to you, and play will begin.
30 During a chess match, you and your opponent will moves the pieces on the
31 board and also issue various commands or requests. The help file
32 "intro_moving" explains how to move the pieces on the board. Here is a list
33 of other commands and requests you may need to use during a match (remember
34 that requests are sent to your opponent, not to the server, and must be
35 accepted by your opponent in order to occur):
38 ------- --------------------------------------------
39 abort request that a game be canceled
40 adjourn request that the match be stopped, saved and continued at
42 draw request that the chess match be declared a draw
43 flag end the match because your opponent is out of time
44 moves have FICS send you the moves to the match you are playing
45 pause request that the match be suspended temporarily, but not
47 promote set the kind of piece a pawn will be promoted to when it
49 refresh display the current board position
50 resign give your opponent the win, and end the match
51 say communicate with your current (last) opponent
52 switch request that you and your opponent change sides (colors)
53 takeback request that one or move moves be taken back (canceled)
54 unpause request that a paused match be resumed
55 withdraw cancel a request you have made
57 It is possible to play matches with more than one user simultaneously, much
58 like a simultaneous exhibition at many major chess tournaments. If you are
59 interested in playing more than one chess game at once, or interested in
60 playing against someone with simultaneous matches, read the "simuls" file.
62 See Also: accept adjournments decline intro_moving match pending simuls
63 [and the individual commands]
65 [Last modified: July 20, 1995 -- Friar]