Tournament players are expected to attach the greatest importance to fair play and good sportsmanship. In the event of any concerns, do not hesitate to contact the Tournament Director.

All tournaments, unless otherwise advertised, follow standard rules per the U.S. Chess Federation's Official Rules of Chess. (Tournaments that involve being FIDE rated operate under the FIDE Laws of Chess.)

Our Tournament Directors are all certified by the US Chess Federation. Some are additionally certified to run FIDE events. We aim to run our tournaments with the highest level of ethics and integrity. In matters not explicitly covered by the applicable rules, Directors will use their best discretion and judgment, in consultation with G4C (Greater Cleveland Chess Club & Center) leadership where appropriate.

Byes and Withdrawals

All requests for byes must be made when registering for a tournament or via text message or phone call to (330) 603-7839 at least one hour in advance of the start of the round. Text messages are accepted via a confirmation text message reply. 

If you need to withdraw from a tournament before it begins, you will receive a full refund if the request is made prior to 24 hours before the start of the tournament. Refunds for any requests within the 24 hour period leading to the start of the round will be reduced by 50%.

Cancelling a Bye Request

Per USCF rule 22C5: If the director agrees, a player may cancel an irrevocable half-point bye under the condition that if the player wins, the result will be treated as a draw for prize purposes.

The TD has the discretion to accept or deny a request to cancel a bye without providing an explanation.

Cell Phones & Devices

USCF rule 20N states: Without permission of the Arbiter/TD a player is forbidden to have a mobile phone or other electronic means of communication in the playing venue, unless they are completely switched off.

For FIDE events: The penalty for a phone ringing or otherwise disturbing play is the immediate loss of the game.

For USCF events (that are not FIDE rated): A warning and a time penalty will be issued for a first offense. A second offense will result in the immediate loss of the game.

The TD may request that a player leaves his or her device(s) in the club office for the duration of an event. If the player refuses, the TD has the right to withdraw the player from the remainder of the tournament without a refund.

Forfeits

Penalty for forfeit of games is the higher of the entry fee of the event or $25, payable before registration to another event. Repeat offenders will lose tournament privileges! If we are unable to rate an event due to an expired USCF membership, a $25 penalty will also apply.

Disputes & Errors

If there is a dispute, players should pause their clock and get the TD immediately.

Players should report errors with recorded results, or other issues, by email to julie@greaterclevelandchess.org.

Disruption of Games

USCF rule 20N1 states that the TD has the right to impose penalties on players and non-participating spectators who are disturbing play.

After a noise warning has been issued, the TD reserves the right to eject any player or non-participating spectator (i.e. a club member or guest) from the tournament (without a refund) and from the club premises.

Repeat offenders may be subject to a suspension from the club.

Guests

The Greater Cleveland Chess Club & Center is a private club. Use of our facility is at the discretion of organizer or tournament director.

First time visitors, parents and/or guardians of scholastic members (under age 18) are permitted to accompany their child to the club and invited to stay in the designate areas for non-players.

Only paying players, organizers, or tournament directors are allowed in the playing area 5 minutes before clocks are started until the tournament is completed.

Hygiene

Players are expected to conform to normal grooming standards and to be free of body odors.

Notation Rules

Players are expected to follow all scorekeeping rules. In events with a 30 second increment, scoresheets need to up-to-date at all times.

Per USCF rule 15C, in games without an increment players may stop notating once either players clock goes below 5 minutes.

Per FIDE laws, players do NOT have to notate in FIDE rated rapid events.

Tournament Equipment

The club provides players chess sets, clocks, scoresheets, and pencils. Only the provided sets, and clocks are allowed to be used in tournament play.