ICC Help: guidelines

The Internet Chess Club has thousands of members from various countries and with various backgrounds. To help our members enjoy the ICC and avoid problems, we have certain rules for behavior that are listed in various help files such as help atmosphere, help abuse, help agreement, and help computers.

This file has a list of some types of behavior that many people consider to be unsporting or rude, related to playing games on ICC. This list is not complete. It just gives examples. The ICC does not have rules against these, but we want you to be aware that many ICC players may not appreciate these things:

- Using opening books, endgame books, or notes during your games. (This is fine in correspondence games, though).

- When you are lost, letting your time run out instead of resigning.

- Talking to your opponent or kibitzing during the game, unless you know your opponent doesn't mind.

- Offering draws, aborts, or adjourns repeatedly, particularly in dead-lost positions.

- Aborting games on move 1 without reason, or disconnecting before move 5 to get an abort intentionally.

- Kibitzing in other players' games. (Use "whisper" instead.)

Repeated displays of poor sportsmanship while playing games on ICC may also constitute abuse, and admins may take action if they decide it is necessary.

After you finish a game, it's sporting (but by no means required) to offer a rematch. Berating an opponent that refuses a rematch is considered abuse.

See also: abuse, agreement, atmosphere, computers, takeback, rematch, resign