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The PGN "Standard" (Ha!)

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David Myers

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Dec 18, 1993, 12:59:44 AM12/18/93
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* Original Area: CHESS
* Original To : Wayne Mendryk @ 990/113 (1:3641/1)
* Original Subj: Re: Interpolis Final

>>
>> [Event "Interpolis"]
>> [Site "Tilburg, Holland"]
>> [Date "1993.12.02"]
>> [Round "7.2"]
>> [White "Karpov"]
>> [Black "Ivanchuk"]
>> [Result "1/2-1/2"]
>>
>> 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 f5 5. f4 Nf6 6. Nf3 Be7
PD>
PD> I have noticed that the format of those games is very
PD> special. Cani
PD> it be read by a special database program ?
PD>
PD> Pierre Denommee
WM@9>

WM@9> Pierre, I believe that the "format" was generated by a special program,
WM@9> (If my memory serves me correctly), but whether or not it is presently
WM@9> on a BBS in North America is a question I cannot answer. These messages
WM@9> were posted on Internet by someone in Europe, I will try and keep my
WM@9> eyes open and see if the individual who produces these messages mentions
WM@9> whether these can be converted to a database.

The "format" is called Portable Game Notation. No database reads .PGN directly
at present, nor frankly is there any DOCUMENTATION for this standard.
There is a program call PGNREAD that attempts to address the standard
as it has been (in ad hoc fashion) implemented. Any attempt I've made to use PGNREAD results in nothing happening; moreover, many of the PGNREAD archives available are crippled. Stephen J. Edwards, author of the Standard Algebraic Notation Toolkit (The san toolkit, available on my BBS) mentions the .PGN standard, in fact created it, but documentation of this "standard" is nonexistant.

My general impression is that hell will freeze over before it is
documented. Clearly documenting PGN is way way WAY down on sje's list of
things to do.

And as long as the "standard" definition resides more in sje's imagination than any other place, there will be scarcely any reason for any chess database to support it.

David.

Walter Ravenek

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Dec 20, 1993, 6:51:29 AM12/20/93
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I am not in the habit of answering ridiculous and foul talk,
but I am of the opinion that David Myers should first do his
homework, and if he has something useful that say after that
he should try to do so in a civilized manner.
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