what is the point of correspondence chess?!??

I dont understand why they allow the use of computers during correspondance chess games. I thought the to whole point of correspondence chess was to play a game using postcards or email. Then you get two or three days to ponder and think about your next move and then send it back. But.i read they allow the use of computers in international correspondence chess games. So aren't people just using.their computers to come up with moves. I dont see the point of.being a correspondence chess GM when your rating is just based upon how strong of a chess engine.tjat you are using.

Much slower than on line chess

There are two issues here.  First, engines are allowed because it's pretty impossible to police their use in correspondence games.  Secondly, it is more than just who uses the strongest engine.  It is definitely a different skill than just normal chess, but knowing how to optimally use a computer's calculation ability in combination with some positional knowledge that computers don't have is the real skill in the game.

That is a very good point.  The mail service is going out of business.  I did not consider that correspondence chess actually would help them stay in business.  thanks for your help dude!!!!

I understand that it's difficult to police correspondence chess. That's partially why databases for openings are allowed. However surely the "human skill of working with engines" is merely recognizing which positions look more critical, so that one can let the engine sit on it at a higher depth for longer. I don't know if that constitutes enough of a human component of thinking for it to be a worthwhile competition.

Would there not be ways of making official correspondence players not use engines? Like making players go to a tournament hall, effectively to play "classical chess", with the exception of them being allowed to move the pieces on their individual computer screens prior to making their move?

They surely wouldn't mind spending 2 or 3 years locked in that "tournament hall".

Splendid idea.

Magipi why on earth would you have to splendidly misinterpret my idea to make the players be locked up for 2 or 3 years? how courteous of you. I was suggesting they could have a time limit for all their moves of a few hours maybe... duh

(rather like classical chess)

So your point is to delete correspondence chess and replace it with "classical chess played over the internet"?

What if players like correspondence chess as it is? And that's why they play that and not some other game? Have you ever thought of that?

Even at 3 hours per move they'd be in a tournament hall for over two weeks. I don't know why anyone would want to do that or why anyone would want to try to administrate a tournament like that. The necessary arrangements for ensuring that they have no contact with the outside world would feel very oppressive.

you're clearly looking for some random argument for no reason. (@magipi)

It wouldn't have to replace, or delete regular correspondence chess, unassisted by engines.

I'm mealy pointing out that there's no such thing as humans "improving the engine's thinking", or positional elements that humans are better at than engines. The most a human can do is decide which positions to let the engine think for longer at.

My main point is the rather obvious one that correspondence chess without engine use is more human and meaningful. But yes, to each their own.

Oh my god. Not 3 hours per move. 1 to 2 hours for ALL the completion of all the moves, for the white side and the black side. Just like it would be in regular chess. What's so hard to understand about what I meant? My original suggestion was just a somewhat unusual, yes, but friendly suggestion.

So you'd delete correspondence chess and replace it with rapid?

Your suggestions are getting worse and worse.

What is more, they are utterly pointless, you are trying to fix a problem that's not a problem.

correspondence chess is a different animal. correspondence chess is not just about winning. it is the search for the perfect game.

correspondence chess is where a majority of theory advances come from. because it allows the time, the resources, and the patience to look for the best moves in any given position.

OTB GMs use correspondence games as a resource for thier own play.

For some, Correspondence chess is about enjoying the game. Nothing more. Class dismissed.

Exactly. And the vast majority of those who play it do not use engines They set up the position on their board, drink tea and ponders the position.

Yes sir, spot on my friend! Green matcha infused with tumeric and black pepper for me, thank you. Weird, i know, but it's good for the arthritis. 😉

I simply, enjoy having the time to really think about what is really going on in a particular position. and the ability to stop and come back to it through the course of a day.

in rapid play, I am a 1300 to 1600 level player. but in daily, I can compete with 1900 to 2200 level players and occasionally even win.

I like to say that i need much more time to really screw it up! 🤣