Pyramids are continuous competitions where players challenge each other, the results of these matches will determine what level of the pyramid they are on. There is usually a single pyramid leader (less frequently 2-3 players on top level), then - the lower the level, the more players. Therefore the pyramid shape and competition name.
Pyramid Participation
Pyramid List
To see the list of all available pyramids, together with some statistics (such as the number of participants), visit the Pyramids List window (from menu - Community/Pyramids). On SchemingMind pyramids have been set up for many of the chess variants that are played on the site.
Click any pyramid of interest to see more detailed information about it, with an option to join (or leave).
Before you Join
Each pyramid you join potentially gives you two games. Do not join too many pyramids unless you are able to handle the load.
Joining the Pyramid
To join a pyramid, enter its screen and click the "Join" button. You will be immediately added to the pyramid players, starting on level 1 (lowest). Then you can challenge a player from level 1 or 2.
The pyramids are open to all level of membership (including guests), so this is a good way to continue playing on SchemingMind if you do not want to renew your membership.
Leaving the Pyramid
To leave the pyramid, enter its screen (either from pyramid list, or from some game which belonged to this pyramid - clicking the 'Leave' button.
Competition Rules
All pyramid participants are organised into the levels. By winning the games, one goes up the pyramid, by losing, one goes down. The aim of the competition is to go as high as possible - and maintain this position.
Challenges
All pyramid games are started as challenges, issued among the pyramid players. Within one pyramid you can play at most 2 games simultaneously.
You may challenge any other player who is on the same level of the pyramid as you, or on the level above, and is not already challenged by somebody else. Players' challenge preferences are not honoured by the pyramid, so you will not be able to block or decline challenges. You can only play one game at a time as challenging player, and one as the challenged player. The challenging player always plays with the white pieces.
To issue the pyramid challenge, just enter the pyramid level screen and click the Challenge link placed in line with the opponent whom you want to challenge.
Game Outcome
Whenever a pyramid game ends, a change in the pyramid occurs. Your movement in the pyramid will depend on your opponents relative position at the end of the game:
For a win: If your opponent is on the same level of the pyramid, or one place above you, you will move up one level. If your opponent is more than one level above you, you will move up two levels. If your opponent is below you, your position will stay the same.
For a draw: If your opponent is more than one level above you, you will move up one level. If your opponent is more than one level below you, you will move down one level. If your opponent's level is within one of yours, your position will stay the same. You cannot drop below level one following a draw.
For a defeat: If your opponent is on the same level of the pyramid, or one place below you, you will move down one level. If your opponent is more than one level below you, you will move down two levels. If your opponent is above you, your position will stay the same. You cannot drop below level one following a defeat.
Abandoned games (i.e. games that have been claimed on time where less than five full moves have been made) will count as a win for the purposes of the pyramid.
Additional Remarks
While being on the pyramid, especially if you manage to go up a level or a few, you are quite likely to be challenged very often. Once you manage to defend your position, you are likely to be attacked again. This is the feature of the competition, there is no rest here.
Sometimes a level disappears (say, there are players on level 5,4,2 and 1, but there is nobody on level 3). This is a temporary effect, which disappears once somebody from the lower level wins the game, or somebody from the higher one loses. A particular case of this effect is the remote leader - say, a single leader on level 5, and other players on level 3 or below.
Pyramid Forum
There is special forum for discussions about pyramids.