Why did CCLA choose the ICCF server to play server tournaments?

The CCLA is a U.S.-based ICCF national affiliate. The ICCF server is well designed, stable and as an ICCF affiliate it makes sense for CCLA to base its server tournaments there.

Print the entry form and mail to CCLA along with your check, or email: CCLA if you have a credit balance to deduct from.

All CCLA members are eligible and encouraged to participate in CCLA's server tournaments. A description of the tournament format may be found on CCLA's webpage, in "The Chess Correspondent" or in the e-mail newsletters regularly sent to members.

Once one signs-up for a server tournament, what happens next?

You are assigned an ICCF ID number. CCLA will arrange for your number to be assigned. You will then receive two e-mails. The first e-mail will include registration details. You will need to login to the ICCF webserver site (see instructions below) and change your login password. We recommend that you use a password that is easy for you to remember and not obvious to others. After everyone is registered and the section is full, you will be then be sent a tournament start sheet with tournament details. The sheet will show an official start date. You may begin to play before the start date if you and your opponents are ready.

What does the e-mail with registration details look like?

• From: info@iccf-webchess.com
• To:
• Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 7:08 AM
• Subject: ICCF: Your starter password
• You are registered in the ICCF database as Doe, John.
• Your starter password for ICCF is 7jdegppz

• Please go to ICCF Webchess site within the next 14 days and log in with your ICCF ID# (Your personal six digit ID number is here) and your starter password. All passwords are case sensitive. After logging in the first time you will have to change your password. Go to ICCF Webchess Help, or else refer to online help, available from the site's navigation menu.

1. Go to the ICCF Webchess site. DO NOT go to the main ICCF site. One can ONLY login from the webserver site.

2. Once on the server site, click "Login." It's prominently displayed in the top left margin.

3. A new page opens. You must input your six digit ICCF ID number (not your name) and your password. The first time you login you will use the starter password that you were sent. You will be prompted immediately to change that password to something user friendly. After changing the password, you will login with your ICCF ID number and your user friendly password. Note: the "Remember login" (checkbox) feature will not work if you have cookies disabled on your computer, and you'll have to enter your ID# and password each time you log in.

Once the tournament is started, you will receive a tournament start list by e-mail. The list has all the information you normally receive from CCLA -- player names, player ratings, and tournament rules. The names on that list will appear in your "Games List." After logging on, the Games List appears in the left margin about half way down. It's under the heading "Playing." It's very clearly labeled "Games List." Click "Games List" and all your games are listed.

A list of all your active games appears. The list includes by default "Status" (whose move is it), your "Time Left", "Opponent's name," "Opponent's time left" and "Event" (section number). You may customize the list to include other information by clicking the "Customize" button. If the Status says "Waiting," it is your opponents move, just wait. If it says "Your turn," your clock is running until you move.

Click "Your turn" for one of the games where it is your turn. A chess board appears. There are also two message boxes. One box shows any message your opponent included with his/her move. The second box is available for you to type a message to your opponent. Use your mouse to make a move. Click the piece you want to move, continue to hold the click button and drag the piece to the square you want to move it. Drop the piece by releasing the mouse click button. Type your message (if you have one) in the message box, click "Submit." Look at the board position to make sure you moved where you want. If the move and position are correct, click "Confirm." This officially posts your move. IMPORTANT - your move is not sent until you click "Confirm," so not forget to do this.

One way is to logon to the server, look at your game list and see which games have "Your turn" listed in the status column. Another way, which is very convenient, is for you choose to receive an e-mail notification whenever your opponent makes a move. This notification in turned ON by default. You can also receive e-mail notifications when you make a move. That is turned OFF by default. It is strongly recommended you keep the notification that your opponent has moved turned ON. That's a great way to keep track that it is your move. You can turn notifications OFF/ON by clicking "Personal settings." That option appears in the left margin about halfway down your initial login screen.

When making a move there is a check box you may click called "Offer draw." Click that before you click "Submit." When you click "Confirm," a draw offer is sent with your move.

When you are ready to resign, click the "Resign" check box, then click "Submit" and then "Confirm." You can add a thank you for the game and congratulations in the message box.

You don't have to. The server sends results automatically to the TD as soon as you, or your opponent resigns, or the game ends in a draw. The tournament table is also automatically updated.

There are two ways. One way is to click "Tables and Results" from the left margin from your login screen. You then must click the tournament type and the tournament number to find the tournament table. Another way is to open a game from your game list and click "Event" in the title bar. A drop-down menu appears. Click "Show crosstable" and results for the whole section appear in crosstable form. You can do use this function to see how you and your opponets are faring in the tournament.

Do I need to send date received, date sent, and reflection time used information with my moves?

NO! The server keeps track of all those details. You just play chess and enjoy the game the way it is suppose to be enjoyed!

CCLA server time rules are 40 days/10 moves with unused time carried forward. The maximum allowable days for one move is 40 days. The ICCF server is set up so that if you do hear from your opponent for 14 days, he or she is automatically sent a reminder notification by the server. You do nothing at this point, but wait. If after 28 days, there is still no response, he or she receives a second notice. After 40 days, you may file a time complaint with the TD.

If my opponent oversteps his or her total allowable time, or the 40 days allowed for one move is exceeded, how do I file a claim for a win with the TD?

Fortunately these situations occur rarely in the CCLA. Should it happen in one your games, open the game, click "Game" in the title bar. A drop down menu appears. Choose "Claim win." Your e-mail program opens. Send the claim for win to your TD. The TD will handle the claim as quickly as possible.

Open one of your games. Click "Event" in the title bar. A drop-down menu appears. Choose "Take Leave." You may type in your leave dates or use the calendar to click the start and end leave dates. The dates are inputted for you when using the calendar. Finalize your leave plans by clicking "Take Leave." Note: you only have to do this once-the server automatically list you "on leave" with everyone in that section. You are shown how many leave days you have left during this process. The server will not let you exceed the number of leave days allowed. You may also check your opponent's leave status from this same drop down menu.

Yes if the option is turned on. CCLA has chosen not to allow conditional moves on the server during its first tournaments. Server games move quickly. Conditionals save very little time in a server match. Further, it is our opinion that the process for sending conditionals moves on the server is too confusing. We will re-consider this option in the future.

Are stalemates and other default draws automatically recognized by the server?

Only stalemates are recognized. The server will automatically record a stalemate as a draw and the result will posted in the crosstable accordingly. An official claim must be made to recognize other default draws. These include threefold repeats, perpetual checks and 50 moves without a pawn move or piece capture. To claim a draw open the game, click "Game" in the title bar. A drop down menu appears. Choose "Claim draw." Your e-mail program opens. Send the claim for draw to your TD. The TD will handle the claim as quickly as possible.

Is there a website where I can get more detailed help to use the ICCF server?

Yes, Correspondencechess.com includes a full tutorial on ICCF server play. Or, if you prefer email your questions to the or to the for a personal response.