Tournament Rules

Tournament Arrangements

The NICS Chess Club organizes a number of one-day Rapidplays at the Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast through the Chess Calendar. Each Tournament is structured with as many games of chess played as we can manage in the time available :

• the Pavilion restaurant is normally open for  lunch
• snacks and refreshments are available from the Whistle Bar
• registration with the Tournament Controller on the day; please arrive in sufficient time to register
• players entering in advance of the day will have priority at registration.
• final round is expected to finish at approximately 5:00 pm with prize-giving shortly thereafter
• These are adult competitions; children and vulnerable adults are welcome to participate but must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult

Fees and Prize Fund

Both fees and prizes are expected to remain a approximately the same level for all tournaments in a Season;

• Entrance fee is £10 per player (£2 discount if entering before the day of the event); there are no other concessions
• Players must be members of the UCU; a membership fee of £10 may be paid on the day
• Payment of the entrance fee is an explicit acknowledgement and acceptance of the rules and regulations governing the tournament
• On the Day Prizes: Out-right winner, best low ranking (less than 1500). Further prizes if entry numbers allow.
• Grand Prix Prizes: Out-right winner, class runner-ups: senior (>1800), intermediate (>1400), novices (<1400)

Rules and Regulations

Usual FIDE rules and UCU adjustments apply to the tournament. All games will be rated under the UCU Rapidplay Ratings List.

1. Games are scheduled using Swiss Perfect; tie-break method to be Median Buchholz, followed, if necessary, by Buchholz and then Sum of Progressive Scores
2. Games are played with a maximum of 20 minutes (or an increment based equivalent) per player on the clock.
3. It is the player’s responsibility to know the start time for each round. A player arriving late for a game will have their clock started and will be defaulted from that game if their game time expires.
4. Requests for a ruling may be made by either player to the Tournament Controller. A player may appeal such a ruling to a Players Panel. Such an appeal may be deferred until after the next round games have finished as determined by the Tournament Controller
5. Up to 5 participating players will be nominated  for the Players Panel by the Tournament Controller before the start of play. The nominations list will be available to all players on request.
6. An active Player's Panel to adjudicate on a game result will be assembled by the controller and consist of a minimum of 3 people none of whom may be directly involved in the game being considered
7. Adjudications made by the Player's Panel are final.