rainbow@ihuxe.UUCP (10/24/83)
I will make an attempt to start up another chess tournament since there still seems to be interest. I have an idea for a new format which eliminates many of the problems the previous tournament had, ie: 1)games of different lengths in time 2)people losing interest 3)new people wanting to enter 4)the inability to play more than one game at a time 5)losing one game results in effective elimination 6)etc The rules for the new "tournament" will be as follows: 1)Your initial ranking in the standings will be determined by me in a random undisclosed manner. I'll post them in about a week with mailing addresses. I'll post updated standings periodically. 2)You can challenge anyone you chose in the standings. 3)You can decline a challenge from anyone except the person immediately below you in the standings. 4)If you lose to a player below you in the standings or refuse to accept a mandatory challenge, the positions of the two people involved will be exchanged in the standings. 5)If you lose to a player above you in the standings, you will drop one position downward. 6)Send results of games(with moves) to me so that I can update standings. 7)All games started must be completed irregardless of changes in the standings. 8)Please let me know for my record keeping whenever a new match is started. This will also protect you in case there is a denial that a game ever took place. 9)The person higher in the standings will have choice of color with one exception. If the person immediately below you has challenged you(which is a mandatory acceptance) and the game has ended in a draw, he can immediately rechallenge you which you must also accept and he'll have choice of color. But this is only true if he still is immediately below you in the standings. Choice of color will continue alternating as long as the games end in draws. Remember though to keep me informed of all outcomes and new games. 10)If for some reason(ie vacation, etc) you cant play for a period of time, let me and your present opponents know so you dont lose your position by forfeit. Your position for the time being will be jumped over with regard to determining mandatory challenges. The term mandatory challenge that I've been using is a bit misleading. You never have to challenge anyone. This only refers to a challenge that must be accepted by your opponent or he forfeits. For example, you are number 9 in the rankings. You challenge number 6 to a match. He declines as is his right. You challenge number 8 and he declines(stupid, but maybe he knows hes going to lose). This was a mandatory challenge, ie he has to accept, so its treated as a forfeit. You are now number 8 and the previous 8 is now number 9. You now challenge number 7 and he reluctantly accepts. The game ends in a draw. You immediately rechallenge him and chose white as is your right. He now goes on vacation for a month during this game. Now you can challenge number 6 and he must accept since position number 7 is now temporarily on the inactive list. This game goes real well but now number 7 returns and resumes his game with you. And number 9 has a change of heart and now challenges you which you must accept. So now you have three games going. First you lose to number 7, so you drop one place to 9 and 9 moves to 8. Now you beat number 6 so you exchange positions with him(ie he is now number 9). You still have a game in progress with the now number 8 which you must complete. Number 7 may now challenge you any time you are still number 6 and you must accept or forfeit. And you can make a mandatory challenge to number 5 any time you are still number 6. I hope this scenerio is clear. 11)Any problems with contacting people or lengthy time intervals between responses in your game, etc., let me know and I'll decide if a forfeit is in order. 12)Any questions or comments are appreciated. I'll post a revision of these rules at a later date if necessary. 13)I will contact you to verify your entry. If you dont receive this follow-up, I didnt receive your entry or I have the wrong mailing address. So reenter. As long as there are at least a few people who will actively participate in this ordered arrangement of chess matches, I think it will work out very well. So send your entries to me. I'll post the first standings(rankings) on 10/31.