Regulations
Part III b: Regulations for Hybrid Chess Competitions
Article 16: General Provisions
16.1. The Chief Organiser approves the playing venues for the competition. Each playing venue is under the control of a Local Organiser.
16.2 Each Local Organiser is required to provide a playing venue suitable to host a hybrid chess competition. The ‘playing venue’ is defined as the ‘playing area’, rest rooms, toilets, refreshment area, area set aside for smoking and other places as designated by the arbiter. The playing area is defined as the place where the games of a competition are played. Only players and arbiter are allowed access to the playing area.
16.3 In each playing venue, the fair play measures should be applied in accordance with the FIDE Anti-Cheating Regulations and FIDE Anti-Cheating Protection Measures. Unless authorised by the arbiter, it is forbidden for anybody to use a mobile phone or any kind of communication device in the playing venue or any contiguous area designated by the arbiter.
16.4 Each Local Organiser is responsible for providing an Internet connection in the playing venue. Players are not responsible for their connections to HIP and to a communication system (if required by the competition regulations), unless the competition regulations say otherwise.
16.5 In each venue, electronic devices used for conducting online games (playing devices) are provided by the Local Organiser, unless the competition regulations say otherwise.
16.6 During the game, each player shall have access on his/her playing device to a virtual chessboard and any software required for this purpose. No other website, application or software should be open on the playing device. The only exception may be a (video-) communication system, if required by competition regulations.
16.7 At least two arbiters should be appointed for each playing venue.
16.8 The total number of arbiters required in each playing venue will vary depending on the kind of event, on the system of the games, on the number of participants and on the importance of the event.
16.9 If the playing zone allows players to move pieces in contradiction with Article 3.3 (illegal moves), the competition regulations should specify how to deal with such irregularities.
16.10 The default time is 30 minutes from the commencement of the round. If neither player is present initially, White shall lose all the time that elapses until he/she arrives, unless the competition regulations specify or the arbiter decides otherwise.
16.11 The playing zone should record the offer of a draw next to the player’s move when the draw is offered.
Article 17: Players’ conduct
17.1. The players shall take no action that will bring the game of chess into disrepute.
17.2 The players are not allowed to use their own playing devices in the playing venue, unless the competition regulations say otherwise.
17.3 During the game, the players are forbidden to have any electronic device not specifically approved by the arbiter. The arbiter may require the player to allow his/her clothes, bags, other items or body to be inspected, in private. The arbiter or person authorised by the arbiter shall inspect the player, and shall be of the same gender as the player. If it becomes evident that a player has a forbidden device in the playing venue, the player shall lose the game. The opponent shall win. The competition regulations may specify a different, less severe, penalty. The Chief Arbiter can also decide to exclude the player from the competition.
17.4 The competition regulations may allow personal electronic devices to be stored in a player’s bag, provided the device is completely switched off. This bag must be placed as agreed with Arbiter.
17.5 During the game, the players are forbidden to use any notes, sources of information or receive advice.
17.6 It is forbidden to distract or annoy the opponent in any manner whatsoever. This includes unreasonable claims, unreasonable offers of a draw, sending inappropriate messages or the introduction of a source of noise into the playing area.
17.7 Only with the permission of Arbiter may:
a player leave the playing venue,
a player having the move be allowed to leave the playing area.
17.8 The players shall follow the dress code of the competition, if any.
17.9 Infraction of any part of Articles 17.1 – 17.7 shall lead to penalties in accordance with Article 18.4.
17.10 A player shall have the right to request from the arbiter an explanation of particular points in the FIDE Online Chess Regulations.
17.11 Unless the competition regulations specify otherwise, a player may appeal against the decision of the arbiter. This includes appeals against the result of a game, even if the result was set by the playing zone and approved by the arbiter.
Article 18: The Arbiter’s role
18.1. The arbiters shall see that these Regulations are observed.
18.2 The arbiter shall:
18.2.1 ensure fair play,
18.2.2 act in the best interest of the competition,
18.2.3 ensure that a good playing environment is maintained,
18.2.4 ensure that the players are not disturbed,
18.2.5 supervise the progress of the competition,
18.2.6 take special measures in the interests of disabled players and those who need medical attention,
18.2.7 follow the FIDE Anti-Cheating Regulations and FIDE Anti-Cheating Protection Measures (see Article 16.4).
18.3 The arbiters shall observe the games, especially when the players are short of time, enforce decisions they have made, and impose penalties on players where appropriate.
18.4 Options available to the arbiter concerning penalties:
18.4.1 warning,
18.4.2 increasing the remaining time of the opponent,
18.4.3 reducing the remaining time of the offending player,
18.4.4 increasing the points scored in the game by the opponent to the maximum available for that game,
18.4.5 reducing the points scored in the game by the offending person,
18.4.6 declaring the game to be lost by the offending player (the arbiter shall also decide the opponent’s score),
18.4.7 a fine announced in advance,
18.4.8 exclusion from one or more rounds,
18.4.9 expulsion from the competition.
18.5 Before the beginning of each game, each Arbiter is responsible for checking that all the playing devices are in compliance with the requirement of Article 15.7.
18.6 Before the beginning of each game, each Arbiter is responsible for conducting the fair-play check of all the players.
18.7 Each Arbiter is responsible for monitoring the venue’s camera recordings.
18.8 Each Arbiter is responsible for monitoring each player’s connection to HIP and to a communication system (if required by the competition regulations) before and during each game.
18.9 Each Arbiter shall immediately report to the Chief Arbiter about each disconnection case. Once the connection is reset, relying on specific circumstances, the Chief Arbiter takes a decision including but not limited to:
resumption of the game from the adjourned position,
reducing remaining time of the disconnected player,
restarting the game from the initial position with the same time limit,
restarting the game from the initial position with a shorter time control.
18.10 If a player wishes to appeal a decision made by their respective Arbiter, they can consult the Chief Arbiter, who has the final say on the matter.
Article 19: Irregularities
19.1 Each player is entitled to ask for an arbiter’s assistance. If a player calls the Arbiter in order to seek the arbiter’s assistance, the arbiter shall determine whether the player has a valid reason for doing so. If the player has no valid reason for doing so, he may be penalised in accordance with Article 18.4.
19.2 If a game has started with colours reversed then, if less than 10 moves have been made by both players, it shall be discontinued and a new game played with the correct colours. After 10 moves or more, the game shall continue.
19.3 If a game is not drawn automatically when one of the situations described in Article 5.4 has occurred, the game should be declared a draw with the intervention of the arbiter.
19.4 If a playing zone automatically declares a draw in contradiction with Article 4.5 (mate possibilities still exist), the arbiter is entitled to modify the automatic result.
19.5 If during a game it is found that the setting of either or both clocks is incorrect, the arbiter shall adjust the chessclock immediately. The arbiter shall install the correct setting and adjust the times, if necessary. He shall use his/her best judgement when determining the clock settings.
19.6 If the game needs to be interrupted for any reason, the arbiter shall pause the chessclock if possible. If it is not possible, the arbiter may add additional time to either or both players.