What is correspondence chess?
Correspondence chess is a very-slow form of chess where a player can take anywhere from minutes to days to ponder over his move!! Yes, you read it right. So a game can go for months and years.
Back in the old days, the moves were sent via postal service. Not many do that anymore. Now instead, correspondence chess is played online on various servers, but the basic idea remains the same: its SLOW, and you can take a LOT of time to ponder and think over the current position and make the best move (provided you really used your time well!)
Dont the players cheat?
Given the slow nature of the game, that is a possibility. However, many servers officially allow using/consulting an Engine (AI) or books. After all, the main aim is to make your best move and improve your analytical skills!
Where can I play?
ChessMoves app allows you to login to various chess servers and make your moves. But before that you need to create an account with the online servers. We list down the ones that the App supports:
ICCF – International Correspondence Chess Federation
site: https://www.iccf.com/
“ICCF was founded in 1951 as a new appearance of the ICCA (International Correspondence Chess Association), which was founded in 1945, as successor of the IFSB (Internationaler Fernschachbund), founded in 1928.”
- No yearly fee
- Official Ratings? – Yes
- You can get official ICCF Norms and Titles like Grandmaster & International Master etc
- You can play some free games. But official events are paid
AICCF – All India Correspondence Chess Federation
site: http://www.aiccf-chess.com/
It is affiliated to the aforementioned ICCF. This is the official body for correspondence chess in India.
- Annual membership fee
- Official Ratings? – Yes
- Unlimited tournaments with no additional fees
Other private servers
So create an account on one or more of these servers and then open the ChessMoves app, login and start making your moves!