0.Introduction
Iccf-webchess.com receives about 2,000 pageviews per day. This domain is currently hosted by Markus Bach Betriebs GmbH with IP address of 77.236.98.57 on the server that is located in Rheinberg, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. Time Zone: Europe/Berlin.
1.General overview
Overview
The ICCF Webserver is a purpose-built system for correspondence chess players and administrators. It can organize a wide variety of CC events internationally, zonally, nationally or by special category. Each event can be flexibly tailored by organizers or administrators to suit their own particular needs. Extensive playing facilities are provided for individuals and teams. ICCF titles, norms and ratings are fully supported.
Principles
Evolution. In order to make an easy transition to webserver play, the roles and responsibilities of administrators and players will largely remain unchanged, although the method of discharging these responsibilities may differ from other playing modes. The first version of the webserver will offer basic functionality; delivery of further features will be staged.
Simplicity. The webserver technology will be exploited to automate many routine playing and administrative functions. However, it will not seek to offer complex facilities – for example, it will not be a full-function chess-playing engine; it will not evaluate positions; nor will it recognize infrequent situations such as threefold repetition or the 50-move rule.
Time. Central webserver time will be the definitive base for all time displays and calculations, including start and stop dates, holidays and leaves, time consumed and time remaining. The current central webserver time can be viewed on the Welcome page.
2.System Design
Overview
The ICCF Webserver is an original design, commissioned by ICCF and implemented by Martin Bennedik and Dr. Ambar Chatterjee. Analysis and project management were provided by Iain Mackintosh.
Principles
Substitution. The webserver offers a variety of options to administrators and players to organise and conduct their chess as flexibly and as close to their preferences as possible. Options are presented in a variety of ways, including drop down lists, check and radio buttons, keyed values and text fields.
Modularity. The system is capable of extension by the addition or modification of code segments in order to introduce new functionality, to reflect changes in the governing rules of webserver play, or to improve the operation of the system.
Standards. The webserver is capable of interacting with other webservers and chess software via prescribed interfaces defined by the XFCC standard. Implementation of the standard is required by third parties for the interface to operate correctly.
Security. The webserver provides secure access to users, and respects their personal privacy via email and inline messaging. The operation of the webserver is controlled by an appointed service provider with full backup, recovery and failover facilities.
Technology
The webserver is built on the following components and standards: .NET, C#, ASP. NET, ADO. NET, SQL Server, XML and web services.
Copyrights
XFCC is the intellectual property of Martin Bennedik. All other webserver design and code is the intellectual property of ICCF.
3.Internal Administration
Overview
The ICCF Webserver is organized internally by defining roles which control the security and operation of technical, administration and playing facilities.
Principles
Technical. The master role for the entire system rests with the Webserver Commissioner (WC). The WC role is performed by the lead developer during the construction of the system. The WC role allocates the main Administration role (WTD below), and ma y allocate permissions to one or more WC assistant roles (WA) in order to carry out some or all of the following technical functions:
- Server, website and workspace passwords
- File uploads, database and source code maintenance
- Backup, failover and other system recovery
- System monitoring, performance and capacity
Administration. The main role for the administration of events rests with the World Tournament Director (WTD). The WTD carries out some limited but confidential functions, and is able to allocate further administrative roles in the following hierarchy:
- Tournament Officer (TO): one or more roles capable of creating new events
- Tournament Director (TD): one or more roles which control and edit events
- Trusted Roles: these are allowed to register the email addresses and starter passwords of new players. The TO role is automatically trusted, but the TD is not, and needs to be specifically allocated. Other officials may be allocated trusted status (e.g., National Delegates, who can supply player details to the system).
Playing. Players must be registered on the system before they are allowed to enter events. Once this is done, they have automatic access to the full range of playing facilities, subject to the rules defined by each event in which they play. In general, players are not allowed to access administrative facilities, but it is possible for TO and TD roles to be players also – however, they are not allowed to administer events in which they are playing.
Public. The system allows casual visitors to inspect parts of the site, including the welcome page, and being able to view games in events where the public viewing rule has been selected by the organizers.