Regulations

Format Summary

The 2019 Winter Chess Classic shall be two 10-player tournaments, each paired as a Round Robin.

1. Prompt Arrival: Players are
   expected to arrive promptly for their games. Players not at their board
   at the beginning of each round may receive a fine of $500 to be
   deducted from their prize for each occurrence. Players more than 30
   (thirty) minutes late for a round shall forfeit that round. Players who
   withdraw or forfeit a game may not receive any prize money.

2. No Draws: A 30-move draw
   rule will be in effect throughout the Event, including any playoff
   games. Player may not mutually agree to a draw in less than 30 moves.

3. 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.

4. Time Control: 90 minutes for
   the first 40 moves followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with
   an addition of 30 seconds (increment) per move starting from move one.

5. Notation: Due to the
   30-second increment, Players are required to maintain an accurate and
   legible score sheet at all times during all games, and are required to
   keep their notation up-to-date.

6. Chief Arbiter Discretion:
   In the event of an unexpected occurrence, the Chief Arbiter reserves
   the right to make all decisions in conjunction with or on behalf of the
   CHESS CLUB.

7. Playoff Procedures: If two
   or more Players are tied for first, a playoff will be held to determine
   final standings among all tied players. If two or more players are tied
   for second or third, math tiebreaks will be used to determine final
   standings. The following tie-breaks will be used for the purposes of the
   crosstable and any special prizes or trophies: 1. Direct Encounter (if
   applicable), 2. Most Blacks, 3. Koya System, 4. Sonneborn-Berger, 5. Won
   Games. An Armageddon Game is defined as
   follows: White shall start with 5 minutes with a two-second increment
   and black shall start with 4 minutes with a two-second increment. Black
   shall be declared the winner if the game ends in a draw.

   • Two Players: The tie
     will be broken with a two-game rapid match (G/10 +2 delay). If the
     contest is still undecided, the match will be decided by an Armageddon
     Game.

   • Three or Four Players:
     If there are three or four Players tied for first, the Players shall
     contest a rapid round robin (G/10 +2 delay). If no clear winner is
     produced, the remaining tied players shall contest a blitz (G/3 +2
     delay) a) round robin (if three or four players remain tied) or b)
     2-game match (if two players remain tied). If the contest is still
     undecided, the match will be decided by a series of Armageddon Games.

   • More Than Four Players:
     If more than four players are tied for first place, a combination of
     math tie-breaks and playoffs will be used to determine the winner. The
     format if more than four players are tied for first will be determined
     by the Arbiter and the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.