Tournament Rules
Everything you need to know for a fun and fair chess tournament! 🏆
⚡ Quick Overview (TL;DR)
📅 Schedule: 7 rounds, every 2 weeks
⏰ Time control: 30+30 (30 minutes + 30 sec/move)
🎯 Format: Swiss system tournament
📱 Contact: WhatsApp for game arrangement
🏅 Scoring: Win=1pt, Draw=0.5pt, Loss=0pt, Bye=0.5pt
🏠 Location: Club (Tuesday evenings) or agreed location
📝 Results: Winner reports within 24 hours
🚪 Byes: Request before Wednesday noon
🏆 Tournament Format
Swiss System Tournament
Fair pairings that give everyone a chance to play opponents of similar strength!
Game Details
- Rounds: 7 total rounds
- Time Control: 30 minutes per player, plus 30 seconds per move (30+30)
- Perfect for: All skill levels from beginners to experts
Scoring System
- Win: 1 point 🥇
- Draw: 0.5 points 🤝
- Loss: 0 points
- Bye: 0.5 points (max 3 per season)
📅 Schedule & Timing
Pairings Released
Every Wednesday around noon
Check SwissSystem.org
Game Deadline
Following Wednesday morning
Two weeks to complete
Bye Requests
Before Wednesday 12:00 noon
Contact tournament organizers
Game Arrangement: Players contact each other via WhatsApp to schedule their games. We'll provide contact lists to make this super easy! 📱
♟️ Playing Your Games
Where to Play 🏠
Games can be played at Schachklub Kreis 4 (Tuesday evenings) or at a location/time that both players agree. We encourage playing at the club for the social experience, but we understand schedules vary!
🖥️ Online Play (When Needed)
If one player can't meet in person, you may play online on Lichess. This should be the exception rather than the norm, but we understand life happens!
🚪 Need a Bye or Want to Withdraw?
Life gets busy! If you can't play a round or need to drop out, just let our tournament organizers know before Wednesday noon when pairings are released. We're totally understanding! 😊
📝 Recording Your Game
Preferred: Paper Scoresheet 📄
Each game should be recorded on a scoresheet provided by the club. Don't have one? You can download and print your own scoresheet from any chess website.
💻 Digital Alternative
No scoresheet available? The game can be recorded on Lichess instead. This should also be an exception, but we've got you covered!
🏅 Reporting Results
📊 Who Reports the Result?
Winner reports the result using our handy online form
In case of a draw: The white player should report the result
Include the PGN notation from your game - copy it from Lichess, Chess.com, or your chess app
💡 Our tournament organizers will update the official SwissSystem tournament page with your result
🎯 Basic Chess Rules (FIDE Standard)
Touch-Move Rule ✋
- If you touch a piece intending to move it, you must move that piece (if it has a legal move)
- If you touch an opponent's piece intending to capture it, you must capture it (if it's a legal move)
- Want to adjust a piece? Say "j'adoube" (I adjust) before touching it
Illegal Moves 🚫
- If you make an illegal move and your opponent notices, you must take it back
- Make a legal move with the same piece if possible
- If that's not possible, make any legal move
Check & Checkmate ♔
- You must get out of check on your next move
- If your king is checkmated, you lose (obviously!) 😄
Clock Handling ⏰
- Press your clock with the same hand you use to move
- If your time runs out, you lose (if opponent has mating material)
Draw Conditions 🤝
- Stalemate: No legal moves but king isn't in check
- Threefold repetition: Same position occurs three times
- 50-move rule: 50 moves without a pawn move or capture
- Mutual agreement: Both players agree to a draw
🤝 Conduct & Fair Play
🌟 Sportsmanship
We're here to have fun and improve our chess! Please conduct yourself with respect and fairness.
Remember: we're all friends here, whether you win, lose, or draw! 😊
🔍 Disputes
Got a problem or disagreement? No worries! Report any issues to our tournament organizers, whose decision will be final. We're here to help resolve things fairly and keep the tournament fun for everyone.
🎉 Let's Have a Great Tournament!
By participating in this tournament, all players agree to abide by these rules and the decisions of our tournament organizers. Most importantly: let's enjoy a fair, competitive, and friendly tournament!
Questions? Don't hesitate to ask - we're all here to help each other improve and have fun! ♟️✨