What Is Correspondence Chess?
Played remotely, there is far more time allowance given to the players in comparison to a classical chess game. Varying depending on the event rules, there may be several days or even a week given to a player to make a move. This changes the feeling of the game to be less of a race against the clock and more a conversation between the two players.
This however is not a modern concept, decades before online chess, players could play correspondence chess by mail. Players would send their move dictated in the letter or postcard and patiently wait on the reply to continue the game. With the invention of the internet has decreased the waiting time but correspondence chess games still take place online.
The appeal comes from the slow pacing. There is now the time to closely analyze the preposition, compare different plans and fully contemplate variations, otherwise impossible to do in a fast paced game.
How Correspondence Chess Is Played
The chess rules remained unchanged, but the difference comes from the amount of time a player has to make decisions. In the modern online version, a player makes a move and then waits for the other player to respond. The time limits will depend on the platform but can be scaled from minutes to days.
But this changes the entire approach to chess, breaks can occur and you can withdraw and come back to the board with different eyes. A complicated position might stay on your mind throughout the day before you finally decide what to play. Correspondence events tends to have their own ruling, depending on the tournament, platform or opening books the rules may differ. So it is important to understand the rules before beginning.
One of the main organizations overseeing competitive correspondence chess is the International Correspondence Chess Federation or (ICCF). There are international events run
Correspondence Chess vs Over-the-Board Chess
The obvious difference is the setting. Over-the-board chess means sitting across from another player, with a physical board and chess clock between you. Correspondence chess can be played from almost anywhere, with the two players potentially thousands of kilometres apart.
The pace is different too.
Correspondence Chess:
Played remotely
Often allows days per move
More time to study positions
Usually played online today
Rules on outside resources can vary
Over-the-Board Chess:
Played face to face
Usually played within hours
Decisions often have to be made quickly
Normally uses a physical board
Tournament rules control what is allowed
For some, the experience can be made much more enjoyable by the extra time. If you draw enjoyment from digging into a position, exploring an opening, or working out a complicated endgame without the need to keep looking at the clock, then correspondence chess could be the game for you.
However even if you enjoy the fast paced nature of chess, it can also be useful to learn correspondence chess. Since you have time to analyze each decision it may grant you the ability to notice things you would normally skip in a fast game. You may also enjoy studying out chess openings to understand the plans behind them rather than just memorizing them.
Conclusion
It may be slower than the majority of people are used to but that is the crux, it allows you to give space to each and every move. It gives you room to think. What has grown from chess moves being sent through the mail has evolved into an international form of chess that can be played OTB and online. For those who enjoy careful calculation, strategy, and taking their time, correspondence chess may be the perfect format for you.