Formal Challenges are a last resort only and cannot be issued unless all normal means of obtaining a game that are listed in the general rules have been tried and exhausted. If you cannot find the person to be challenged in the chat room, they must be emailed first and allowed 24 hours to reply before a formal challenge can be issued. If you still cannot get a game, then the Formal Challenge system may be used. Also, you cannot issue a formal challenge if you have played the same person in the past 3 days. Failing to follow this rule may result in a penalty. Formal challenges take precedence over all other challenges.