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Last update: Wednesday April 25, 2007 14:26
The event shall be played according to the FIDE Laws of Chess. The FIDE Tournament Rules shall be used in conjunction with the Laws of Chess which in no way contradicts them. They apply to all official FIDE competitions. It is recommended they also be applied to all FIDE rated tournaments, amended where appropriate. The organizers, competitors and arbiters involved in any competition are expected to be acquainted with these regulations before the start of the competition.
1. General remark
Where an event has a problem not covered by internal rules, it is recommended
these rules be accepted as the definitive regulations.
2. The Organizer (CO)
The federation or administrative body responsible for the organisation of a
competition may entrust the technical organisation to an Organizer. He, together
with the federation, in consultation with FIDE where appropriate, shall appoint
an Organizing Committee to be responsible for all financial, technical and organisational
matters.
3. Invitation, Registration and Functions
(a) Invitations to a FIDE competition shall be issued as soon as feasible.
(b) The CO must send, through the respective national federations,
invitations to all participants qualified for that competition. The invitation
letter shall first be approved by the President of FIDE for World and the Continental
President for Continental Championships.
(c) The invitation should be as complete as possible, at the earliest opportunity,
stating clearly the expected conditions and giving all details which may be
of use to the player. The following should be included in the invitation letter
and/or brochure which should also be posted on the FIDE website:
(1) The dates and site of the tournament.
(2) The hotel where the players are to stay (including e-mail, fax and telephone
numbers)
(3)The tournament schedule: dates, times of play and places of: arrival, the
opening ceremony, drawing of lots, play, special events, the closing ceremony,
departure.
(4) The rate of play and the kind of clocks to be used in the tournament.
(5) The pairing system to be used for the event and the tie-break system.
(6) The financial arrangements: travel expenses; accommodation, duration for
which board and lodging shall be provided, or the cost of such accommodation,
including that for people accompanying the player; arrangements for meals; start
money, pocket money, entry fee, full details of the prize fund, including special
prizes, point money, the currency in which money shall be disbursed; tax liability;
visas and how to obtain them.
(7) The means of reaching the playing venue and arrangements for transportation.
(8) The likely number of participants, the names of players invited and the
name of the Chief Arbiter (CA see below).
(9) The website of the event, contact details with the organizers including
the name of the CO.
(10) The players’ responsibility towards the media, general public, sponsors,
government representatives and other similar considerations.
(11) The date by which a player must give a definite reply to the invitation
and where and when he shall report his arrival time.
(12) Security arrangements.
(13) Special medical considerations such as vaccinations recommended or required
in advance.
(14) Arrangements for: tourism, special events, internet access, etc.
4. Once an invitation has been issued to a player, it must
not be withdrawn provided the player accepts the invitation by the reply date.
If an event is cancelled or postponed the organizers shall provide compensation.
5. The CO shall guarantee medical treatment and medicines for all participants, official seconds, arbiters and officials of a FIDE competition and shall insure them against accidents and the need for medical services, including medicine, surgical procedures, etc., but shall have no responsibility where there is a chronic condition. An official doctor shall be appointed for the duration of the competition.
6. Organisers and arbiters of a FIDE competition should bear in mind the Regulations for organisation of Top Level Tournaments (C.01).
7. Other regulations hereunder may apply also to the role of the CO. He and the CA must work closely together in order to ensure the smooth running of an event.
8. The Chief Arbiter (CA)
The CA of a World competition shall be nominated by the President
of FIDE and of a Continent Competition by the Continental President, each in
consultation with the CO. He shall have the title of International Arbiter and
shall have adequate experience of FIDE Competitions, FIDE official languages
and relevant FIDE Regulations.
FIDE and/or the Organising Committee may nominate the arbiters and other staff.
The duties of the CA are as specified by the Laws of Chess,
the regulations of the competition and other FIDE Rules. During the event they
are also to keep the record of each round, to oversee the proper course of the
competition, to ensure order in the playing venue and players' comfort during
play, and to supervise the work of the technical staff of the competition. Prior
to the start of the competition: he may make additional regulations in consultation
with the CO; must check all the conditions for play including
the playing venue, playing hall, lighting, heating, air conditioning, ventilation,
noise, etc.; secure through the CO all the necessary equipment;
ensure a sufficient number of deputies and auxiliary technical staff are engaged.
He shall ensure that conditions for the arbiters are satisfactory. It is his
final decision, whether all the playing conditions meet the requirements of
these FIDE regulations.
9. Pairings
(a) The drawing of lots for the first round shall be arranged by the CO, if
possible, to be open to players, visitors and media. Responsibility for the
actual pairings, including drawing of lots, rests with the CA.
(b) The drawing of lots shall take place at least 12 hours (one night) before
the start of the first round. All participants should attend the ceremony of
drawing of lots. A player who has not arrived on time for the drawing of lots
may be included at the discretion of the CA. The first round pairings shall
be announced as soon as possible thereafter.
(c) If a player withdraws, is excluded from a competition after the drawing
of lots but before the beginning of the first round, or there are additional
entries, then the announced pairings shall remain unaltered. Additional pairings
or changes may be made at the discretion of the CA in consultation in with the
any players directly involved, but only if these minimise amendments to pairings
which have already been announced.
(d) The pairings for a round robin shall use Berger tables, adjusted where necessary
for double round events.
(e) The pairing for a Swiss shall use the pre-announced pairing system.
(f) The pairing system for events run on other systems shall be announced in
advance.
(g) If the pairings are restricted in any way, e.g. players of the same federation,
if possible, shall not meet in the last three rounds, then this shall be communicated
to the players as soon as possible.
(h) For round robins this restricted drawing of lots may be done by using the
Varma tables, reproduced below, which can be modified for tournaments of from
10 to 24 players
Direction for “restricted” drawing of tournament numbers:
1. The arbiter shall prepare beforehand, unmarked envelopes each containing
one of the below numbers. The envelopes containing a group of numbers are then
placed in unmarked larger envelopes.
2. The order in which players draw lots is listed beforehand as follows: The
players of the federation with greatest number of representatives shall draw
first. Where two or more federations have the same number of representatives,
precedence is determined by the alphabetical order of the FIDE country code.
Among players of the same federation, precedence is determined by the alphabetical
order of their names
3. For example, the first player of the first with the largest number of players
shall choose one of the large envelopes containing at least enough numbers for
his contingent, and then draw one of the numbers from this envelope. The other
players from the same contingent shall also draw their numbers from the same
envelope The numbers that remain are available for use by other players.
4. The players of the next contingent then draw lots and the procedure is followed
until all players have drawn their numbers.
5. The following Varma Table can be used for 10 to 24 players.
• 9/10 players A: (3, 4, 8); B: (5, 7, 9); C: (1, 6); D: (2, 10)
• 11/12 players A: (4, 5, 9, 10); B: (1, 2, 7); C: (6, 8, 12); D: (3,
11)
• 13/14 players A: (4, 5, 6, 11, 12); B: (1, 2, 8, 9); C: (7, 10, 13);
D: (3, 14)
• 15/16 players A: (5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14); B: (1, 2, 3, 9, 10); C: (8,
11, 15); D: (4, 16)
• 17/18 players A: (5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16); B: (1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12);
C: (9, 13, 17); D: (4, 18)
• 19/20 players A: (6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18); B: (1, 2, 3, 11, 12,
13, 14); C: (5, 10, 19); D: (4, 20)
• 21/22 players A: (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20); B: (1, 2, 3, 4, 12,
13, 14, 15); C: (11, 16, 21); D: (5, 22)
• 23/24 players A: (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19, 20, 21, 22); B: (1, 2, 3,
4, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17); C: (12, 18, 23); D: (5, 24)
10. The play
(a) All games must be played in the playing area at the times specified in advance
by the organizers, unless otherwise decided by the CA.
(b) Smoking is banned in FIDE-rated events. Smoking is not permitted in the
playing hall for the duration of the tournament. This applies to everyone present
- players, officials, media representatives and spectators.
A separate area outside the playing area must be provided where smoking is permitted.
This should be easily accessible from the playing hall. If local ordinances
totally prohibit smoking on the premises, the players and officials must be
provided with easy access outdoors.
(c) If mechanical clocks are used, they shall be set so that each unit registers
six o’clock at the first time control.
(d) The CA shall announce the time for starting and for adjourning games.
(e) Where it is clear games have been pre-arranged, the CA
shall impose penalties.
(f) A glossary of common relevant terms in several languages should be available
to the arbiter.
11. Where not all games are played
(a) If a player has lost one game by default for reasons that are not valid,
the player is expelled after one game unless the CA decides otherwise.
(b) If player has lost three games by default he shall be expelled from the
competition, unless the regulations of an event indicate otherwise or the CA
rules otherwise.
(c) When a player withdraws or is expelled from a round-robin tournament, the
effect shall be as follows:
(d) If a player has completed less than 50% of his games, his score remains
in the tournament table (for rating and historical purposes), but the points
scored by him or against him are not counted in the final standings. The unplayed
games of the player and his opponents are indicated by ‘-’ in the
tournament table and those of his opponents by ‘+’. If neither player
is present this will be indicated by two ‘-’.
(e) If a player has completed at least 50% of his games, his score shall remain
in the tournament table and shall be counted in the final standings. The unplayed
games of the player are shown as indicated as above.
(f) If a player withdraws from a Swiss-system tournament the points scored by
him and by his opponents shall remain in the cross-table for ranking purposes.
Only games that are actually played are rated.
(g) Articles 10(e) and (f) also apply to team events; both unplayed matches
and unplayed games must be clearly indicated as such.
12. Penalties, appeals
(a) When there is a dispute, the CA or CO
as appropriate should make every effort to resolve matters by reconciliation.
If such means fail and the dispute is such that penalties are appropriate, where
penalties are not specifically defined by the Laws or the regulations, he shall
have discretionary power to impose penalties. He should seek to maintain discipline
and offer other solutions which may placate the offended parties.
(b) In all events there shall be an Appeals Committee. The CA
and CO shall ensure that the Appeals Committee is elected or
appointed before the start of the first round, usually at the drawing of lots.
It is recommended this consists of a Chairman, at least two members and two
reserve members. Preferably no two members of the committee shall come from
the same federation. No arbiter, administrator or player involved in the original
dispute shall be a member of the appeal committee actually considering that
dispute. Such a committee should have an odd number of voting members. Members
of the Appeals Committee should not be younger then 18 years old.
(c). A player may appeal against any ruling made by the CA
or CO or one of their assistants, provided the appeal is accompanied
by a fee and submitted in written form not later than the deadline. Both fee
and deadline shall be fixed in advance. The decisions of the Appeal Committee
shall be final. The fee is returnable if the appeal is successful. It may also
be returned if the appeal is unsuccessful, but reasonable in the view of the
committee.
13. TV, filming, photographs
(a) Television cameras are permitted in the playing venue and contiguous areas
with the approval of the CO and CA only if
they operate noiselessly and are unobtrusive. The CA shall
ensure the players are not disturbed or distracted in any way by the presence
of TV, video, cameras or other equipment.
(b) Only authorised photographers may take photographs in the playing venue.
Permission to do so in the playing hall is restricted to the first ten minutes
of the first round and the first five minutes each subsequent round, unless
the CA decides otherwise.
14. The conduct of the players
(a) Once a player has formally accepted an invitation, he must play except in
cases of force majeure, such as illness or incapacity. Acceptance of another
invitation is not considered to be a valid reason for withdrawal.
(b) In his reply a player may, if he wishes, mention pre-existing medical conditions
such as diabetes and special dietary requirements.
(c) All the participants should be dressed in a suitable manner.
(d) A player who does not wish to continue a game and leaves without resigning
or notifying the arbiter is discourteous. He may be penalised, at the discretion
of the CA, for poor sportsmanship.
(e) A player may speak only as permitted in the Laws of Chess and Tournament
Regulations.
(f) All complaints concerning the behaviour of players or captains must be made
to the arbiter. A player is not permitted to complain directly to his opponent.
14. Team Captain’s Role in Team Tournaments
(a) The role of a team captain is basically an administrative one during play.
Depending on the regulations of the specific competition, the captain shall
be required to deliver, at a specific time, a written list naming the players
in his team who will participate in each round, communicate to his players their
pairing, sign the protocol indicating the results in the match at the end of
the play, etc.
(b) A captain is entitled to advise the players of his team to make or accept
an offer of a draw or to resign a game, unless the regulations of the event
stipulate otherwise. He must confine himself to give only brief information,
based solely on the circumstances pertaining to the match. He may say to a player,
“offer a draw”, “accept the draw”, or “resign
the game”. For example, if asked by a player whether he should accept
an offer of a draw, the captain should answer “yes”, “no”,
or delegate the decision to the player himself.
The captain shall abstain from any intervention during play. He shall give no
information to a player concerning the position on the chess board, nor consult
any other person as to the state of the game.
Players are subject to the same prohibitions. Even though in a team competition
there is a certain team loyalty, which goes beyond a player's individual game,
a game of chess is basically a contest between two players. Therefore, the player
must have the final say over the conduct of his own game. Although the advice
of the captain should weigh heavily with the player, the player is not absolutely
compelled to accept that advice. Likewise, the captain cannot act on behalf
of a player and his game without the knowledge and consent of the player. All
discussions shall take place in sight of the arbiter and he shall be entitled
to insist on hearing the conversation.
(c) A team captain should encourage his team always to follow both the letter
and the spirit of Article 12 of the FIDE Laws of Chess concerning the conduct
of the players. Team championships, in particular, should be conducted in the
spirit of the highest sportsmanship.
Annex to the FIDE Tournament Regulations regarding tiebreaks
1. Handling of unplayed games
For tie-break purposes, the result shall be counted as a draw
against the player himself. This has no effect on the Sum of Progressive Score
or Koya System. In such systems only the result counts.
List of commonly used Tiebreak Systems
In all Systems the players shall be ranked in descending order of the respective
system. Within the following list there is not intended to be any indication
of an order of preference.
2. Tiebreak Rules using the Player’s own results
(a) Sum of Progressive Scores
After each round a player has a certain tournament score. These scores are added
to determine the total Sum of Progressive Score.
(a1) Sum of Progressive Score Cuts
The Sum of Progressive Score reduced by the tournament score of one or more
rounds, starting with the first round.
(b) The Koya System for Round Robin Tournaments
This is the number of points achieved against all opponents who have achieved
50 % or more.
(b1) The Koya System extended
The Koya System may be extended step by step to include score groups with less
than 50 %, or reduced step by step to exclude players who scored 50% and then
higher scores.
(c) Number of games won
(d) The greater number of games played with the black pieces.
(e) Direct Encounter
If all the tied players have met each other, then the sum of points from these
encounters is used.
(f) Number of games won
(g) The greater number of games played with the black pieces.
3. Tiebreak Rules using a team’s own results
(a) Match points in Team Competitions decided by game points, for example:
2 points for a won match where a team has scored more points than the opposing
team.
1 point for a drawn match
0 points for a lost match
(b) Game points in Team Competitions decided by match points.
The tie is broken by determining the total number of points scored.
(c) Combined match and game points
The combined total of match and game points may be used.
(d) Direct Encounter
If all the tied teams have met each other, then the sum of points from these
encounters is used.
4. Tiebreak Rules using the Results of Opponents
Note, these scores are determined in each case after the application of the
rule concerning unplayed games.
(a) The Buchholz System
The Buchholz System is the sum of the score of each of the opponents of a player
(a1) The Median Buchholz is the Buchholz reduced by the highest and the lowest
score of the opponents.
(a2) The Median Buchholz 2 is the Buchholz Score reduced by the two highest
and the two lowest scores of the opponents
(a3) The Buchholz Cut 1 is the Buchholz Score reduced by the lowest score of
the opponents
(a4) The Buchholz Cut 2 is the Buchholz Score reduced by the two lowest scores
of the opponents
(a5) The Sum of Buchholz is the sum of the Buchholz Scores of the opponents
(b) The Sonneborn-Berger System
(b1) Sonneborn-Berger for Individual Tournaments is the sum of the scores of
the opponents a player has defeated and half the scores of the players he has
drawn with.
(b2) Sonneborn-Berger for Team Tournaments is the score made by each opposing
team multiplied by the score made against that team. Then add all these sums
together.
5. Tiebreak Rules using Ratings
Note, the rating used is after the application of the rule concerning unplayed
games.
(a) The Average Rating of Opponents is the sum of the ratings of the opponents
of a player divided by the number of rounds.
(b) The average Rating Cut is the Average Rating of Opponents reduced by one
or more of the ratings of the opponents, started from the lowest rated opponent.
(c)Tournament Performance Ratings
The TPR is determined by taking the average rating of the opponents, determining
the percentage score and then using B.02.10.1 of the Rating Regulations.
Where a player has elected not to play more than two games in a tournament,
whether as a half point bye or due to ill-health, his TPR shall be considered
lower than that of any player who has completed the schedule.
(c1) TPR using the 350 point rule.
6. Playoff.
(a) Adequate time must be set aside for a conclusion to be reached.
(b) The pairings system and rate of play must be determined in advance of the
start of the event.
(c) All eventualities must be covered in the regulations.
(d) It is recommended that playoffs only be arranged for disposition of the
first place, a championship or qualifying places.
(e) Where subsidiary places are also decided during the tie, each player shall
be allotted his score according to his result in the playoff. For example: Three
players tie. Number 1 wins, number 2 comes second and number 3 third. Number
2 receives second prize.
(f) Where two players are tied after the first place is decided, they shall
split any prize money to which they are entitled. For example, four players
tie. A knockout is arranged. Players 3 and 4 knocked out in the semi-final share
the 3rd and 4th prize equally.
(g) Where time is limited before a closing ceremony, games between players potentially
involved in such ties in the last round may be scheduled to commence earlier
than other games in the tournament.
(h) If there is a playoff these will commence after a break of at least 30 minutes
after the conclusion of the last main game involving players in the play off.
Where there are further stages, there will be a break of at least 10 minutes
between each stage.
(i) Each game shall be controlled by an arbiter. If there is a dispute, this
will be referred to a committee of three further arbiters. Their decision shall
be final.
(j) Colours shall be determined by lot in all cases below, other than those
determined by the Berger tables.
(k) The following is an example where time for playoff is somewhat limited.
1. If two people tie for first:
(a) They play a two game mini-match at the rate of all the moves in 3 minutes
add-on 5 seconds for each move from the first. If this match is tied:
(b) They play a one game Armageddon (sudden death), White has 5 minutes and
Black four, in the case of a draw Black wins first prize.
2. If three people tie for first:
(a) They play a one game round robin at the rate as in 1 (a). If all three players
again tie:
(b) They play a one game Armageddon round robin as in 1 (b). If they again tie:
(c) The winner shall be the person who received the point in fewest moves.
If two people eliminate the third player, they play as in 1(b).
Pairing number 1 shall be the player with the highest tiebreak (HT) as chosen
from 2a-c.
Pairing number 3 shall be the player with the second highest tiebreak. Alternative:
the pairing numbers shall be chosen by lot.
3. If four players tie for first: they play a knockout.
The pairings shall be 1v4 and 2v3 determined by HT or lot.
If time permits, there shall be two game elimination matches at the rate as
in 1 (a). If not, Armageddon shall be used.
4. If five players tie for first: they play a one game round robin at the rate
as in 1(a).
Pairing numbers shall be in order of highest HT: 1, 4, 2, 5, 3 or lot.
(a) If five players tie, the tie is resolved in favour of the player who played
fewest moves in the games they won.
(b) If four players of the five tie, they playoff as in 3, but Armageddon.
(c) If three players tie, they playoff as in 2.
If two players tie; they playoff as in 1(b)
5. If six players tie for first: they will be split into two sections of three.
Players 1, 4, 5 will be placed in one section and 2, 3, 6 in the other in order
of HT.
They will then play as in 2.
The two section winners will then playoff as in 1(b).
6. If seven players tie for first: they play Armageddon. If there is a tie for
first place, the places are decided by the player who scored the point in fewest
moves. Pairing numbers in order of highest HT: 1, 5, 2, 6, 3, 7, 4 or by lot.
7. If eight players tie they play knockout, 1v8, 2v7, 3v6 and 4v5 as in 1 (b).
8. If nine players tie they play 3 sections of three, 2 (b). Group A: 1, 5,
9. Group B: 2, 6, 7. Group C 3, 4, 8.
9. If ten players tie they play in two sections of five as in 4.
The two winners play as in 1 (b).
10. If eleven or more players tie, those ranked nine or lower by HT will be
eliminated. They share a fraction of the total prize fund as decided in advance.
The remaining eight players shall play as in 7 for amended prizes.
11. The right is reserved to make necessary changes.
12. Where only two players are involved in the playoff, if time permits, they
may play at a slower rate of play by agreement with the CA
and CO.
If the original games run very late, the playoff may go straight to Armageddon.
7. Choice of Tiebreak System
The choice of the Tiebreak System to be used in a tournament shall be decided
in advance taking into account the type of the tournament (Swiss, Round Robin,
Teams, etc.) and the special structure of players expected to participate in
the tournament. For instance the application of Tiebreak rules using the ratings
of players is inappropriate in tournaments where the ratings are not available
or not consistent or not necessarily correct (e.g. Junior/Senior tournaments)
Only one type of the five categories described above should be used for a given
event. For example: using Sum of Progressive Score + Buchholz would be incorrect.
For different types of tournaments the Tiebreak Rules recommended are as listed below:
(a) Individual Round Robin Tournaments:
Direct encounter
Playoff
Number of games played with Black
Koya System
Sonneborn-Berger
Number of won games
(b) Team Round Robin System:
Games points
Match points
Direct encounter
Playoff
Sonneborn-Berger
(c) Individual Swiss Systems (all players have consistent ratings):
Direct encounter
Tournament Performance Rating
Average rating of opponents
Playoff
(d) Individual Swiss Systems (where not all the ratings are consistent):
Direct encounter
Sum of progressive score
Buchholz
Playoff
Sonneborn-Berger
Won games
Games played with Black
(e) Team Swiss Systems:
Games points
Match points
Direct encounter
Playoff
Buchholz
Sonneborn-Berger