Tournaments
Tournament Rules
Below are some special rules to be observed when playing tournament games. These rules are enforced at Total Chess Tournaments and therefore it is a good idea to practice with them as well.
Touch Move
First piece you touch that can move, you must move. If you need to adjust a piece on a square you must clearly say ‘adjust’ so your opponent can hear before touching the piece.
The Chess Clock
You must make all your moves within the given time on your side of the chess clock. If you run out of time you lose the game unless your opponent doesn’t have checkmating material. Also you haven’t lost the game on time until your opponent (or official) says ‘time’ after your clock has run out, if they do not notice you don’t need to tell them.
After each move, you must press the clock with the same hand that you moved your piece with.
Touch Take
If you touch an opponent piece you must take if possible. If you need to adjust a piece on a square you must clearly say ‘adjust’ so your opponent can hear before touching the piece.
Interference
If you plan to watch a tournament game, you must not talk to the players or interfere in any other way. If you notice anything wrong with the game you must get an official to look and sort any problems out. Each game is between the two players playing and any officials.
Please stay at least a metre away from the table if watching a game and please don’t talk while watching games as this can be distracting. Please use inside whispering voices while tournament games are still in progress inside the playing hall.
Tournament Etiquette
At Total Chess tournaments there are some other things that need to be observed to make the tournament run smoothly and ensure that everyone has a good time. Although these are not official rules if everyone follows these guidelines everyone will be happy..
Attention PARENTS
Everyone wants their child to do well and wants to help in any way they can. However please refrain from hovering over your child to watch their game or giving them helpful hints, this may be great at home but is not fair to other players at a tournament. You are welcome to watch from a distance and give feedback and encouragement at the end of the game but remember during the game it is only between your child and their opponent.
Disputes during the game
If you have a problem during your game PAUSE your clock straight away and put your hand up for an official. Once you continue your game you cannot go back to a problem from earlier in the game, even if it may have affected the result.
Reset your board and record your result
After you finish your game please reset your pieces and chess clock BEFORE recording your results. Write ‘1’ for a win, ‘0’ for a loss and ‘1/2’ for a draw next to your name. Please check each round to make sure results have been recorded correctly as this may affect pairings and is easier to fix straight away.
Officials have the final word
The word of the official is final. It is difficult to please everybody and officials do their best to be fair and equitable.
In the case of 3 move repitition, running out of time and the 50 move rule the official has the power to make the final call and this should be respected.
Other Information
Below is some other information that your need to know about Total Chess Tournaments. If you know this before competing that the tournament will run much smoother.
What is a Swiss Tournament?
A Swiss-system tournament is a tournament which uses a non-elimination format. Players are paired using a predetermined set of rules. Players will generally play someone with the same score as long as they do not play the same person twice. The winner is the player with the highest score at the end of the 7 rounds.
Standings
Each round you get 1 point for a win and O.5 for a draw and 0 for a loss. The player with the highest score is higher on the standings. If there are any players tied on the same score then a number of count back systems can be used to determine who places higher.
The Solkoff system is used first and calculates the scores of everybody that player has played and adds all their total scores together. If the scores are still equal other countback systems can be used but this rarely happens. All countback systems determine which player played the hardest opponents.
Getting Seated
Each round there will be a pairing sheet. First find your name and the number that is next to, you need to sit at that board number. If your name is first (under white heading), you will be playing with the white pieces. If your name is second (under black heading), you will be playing with the black pieces.
For example: If your name is Magnus then you would be on board 14 with the white pieces.
Prizes
Trophies are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each division unless otherwise stated. Medals are usually awarded to 4th place scorers.
Participation certificates are awarded to all players. The Dark Horse award is for a rated players who beats a player who has the greatest difference in rating from them self, who did not win a trophy.