Regulations

Format Summary

The 2019 Champions Showdown shall be an exhibition event featuring five individual matches: Hikaru Nakamura vs. Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Fabiano Caruana vs. Pentala Harikrishna, Wesley So vs. David Navara, Leinier Dominguez vs. Veselin Topalov and Sam Shankland vs. Richard Rapport. Over five days, the Players shall contest games at rapid and blitz time controls.

  1. Prompt Arrival: Players are expected to arrive promptly each day.  Players not at their board at the beginning of each round may receive a fine of $1,000 to be deducted from their prize for each occurrence. Players more than 10 (ten) minutes late for a round may forfeit that round. Players who withdraw or forfeit a game may not receive any prize money.

  2. No Cell Phones: No cell phones or other electronic devices shall be allowed in the tournament area. Any violation of this policy will result in a fine of $500 to be deducted from Player's prize for each occurrence. In addition to the fine, a violation involving a cell phone or other electronic device that emits any noise during a game shall result in forfeiture of that game. If a violation occurs in subsequent games, the same penalties shall apply.

  3. Arbitration

    • The matches are played according to the FIDE Laws of Chess.

    • The rapidplay/blitz rules for inadequate supervision shall apply.

    • The tournament is supervised by the chief arbiter with the help of deputy arbiter(s).

    • Decisions of the chief arbiter are final.

  4. Time Controls & Scoring:

    • Rapid: 15 minutes + 10 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1. Games are worth 2 points each (2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss)

    • Blitz: 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1. Games are worth 1 point each (1 point for a win, ½ point for a draw, 0 points for a loss)

    • The player with the best combined rapid and blitz score at the end of the Event shall win that match.

Tied Players: All prizes will be divided evenly among all tied players.