Tournament Registration

How do I register for an NCC tournament?

Go to the Next Tournament page on the Northern Chess Club website and complete the official registration form.

Your registration is not considered complete until all required information has been submitted and the applicable entry fee has been received.

Who can participate?

Unless otherwise stated on the tournament page, NCC tournaments are open to players of all ratings who meet the tournament's registration and CFC membership requirements.

Do I need a CFC membership?

For CFC-rated tournaments, players must meet the applicable Chess Federation of Canada membership requirements.

Make sure the name and CFC ID you provide during registration are accurate.

Can unrated players participate?

Yes, unless a particular tournament states otherwise. Being unrated does not normally prevent you from participating.

Is there a registration deadline?

Yes. Each tournament will have its own registration deadline listed on the Next Tournament page.

Late registrations may be declined or may be subject to a tournament-day/late registration fee when specified.

How do I know if my registration has been confirmed?

Once NCC has verified your registration information and payment, your registration will be marked as confirmed.

NCC may also maintain a registered-player list for upcoming tournaments.

Payments, Discounts & Refunds

How do I pay the entry fee?

Payment instructions are provided on the tournament registration page and registration form 

(Click here for the Next Tournament: Northern Chess Club - Next Tournament)

Please include the requested player information with your payment so NCC can correctly match it with your registration.

Can I combine multiple discounts?

Unless specifically stated otherwise, discounts and coupon codes cannot be combined.

If you qualify for multiple discounts, you may use whichever eligible discount gives you the better price.

What happens if I withdraw?

For the most of NCC tournaments, the current withdrawal policy is:

1 day before tournament: 100% refund
Exact tournament day before the tournament begins: 50% refund
After the tournament begins: No refund

Refunds are based on the amount the player actually paid.

Future tournaments may have different policies, so always check the applicable tournament page before registering.

What if NCC cancels the tournament?

If NCC cancels an event, affected registered players will receive a refund of their applicable tournament entry fee.

Lichess & Joining the Tournament

Where are NCC online tournaments played?

NCC online tournaments are generally hosted on Lichess.org, unless the tournament information states otherwise.

Do I need a Lichess account?

Yes, for tournaments hosted on Lichess. Make sure the username submitted during registration is correct.

Do I need to join the Northern Chess Club Lichess team?

If team membership is required for a particular tournament, the tournament page and registration information will tell you.

How do I get the tournament entry code?

For tournaments that use an entry code, NCC will send participation information to confirmed players before the tournament.

Do not publicly share a private NCC tournament entry code.

When should I join the tournament?

Players should join before the scheduled starting time and make sure they are ready to play.

Do not wait until the last minute to log in, check your account, or join the tournament.

Rounds, Pairings & Byes

What pairing system does NCC use?

NCC tournaments generally use the Swiss System, unless otherwise stated.

For online tournaments, pairings may be generated by the tournament platform.

How many rounds are played?

The number of rounds is listed in the information for each tournament.

When does the next round start?

For Lichess Swiss tournaments, the next round generally begins after the previous round has completed and the configured interval has passed.

The exact interval will be listed in the tournament information.

What is a bye?

A bye occurs when a player does not play an opponent during a particular round.

Depending on the circumstances and tournament rules, a bye may carry a full point, half point, or no points.

Can I request a bye?

If requested by the applicable deadline, NCC may allow requested byes when permitted by the tournament format.

Contact NCC as early as possible if you know you cannot play a particular round.

What happens when there is an odd number of players?

The tournament pairing system may assign one player a bye.

The scoring of the bye will depend on the applicable tournament and pairing rules.

Technical Problems

What happens if my internet disconnects during a game?

Players are responsible for maintaining a suitable internet connection and functioning device during online tournaments.

A brief disconnection does not necessarily end a game if the platform allows you to reconnect in time.

However, NCC generally cannot restore time lost because of an individual player's internet, computer, battery, or other technical problem.

What if my computer dies or loses power?

Players should make sure their device is sufficiently charged or connected to power before their games.

Individual equipment problems generally do not justify changing a completed game result.

What happens if Lichess itself goes down?

A widespread platform failure is different from an individual player's technical problem.

If a significant Lichess outage affects the tournament, NCC may pause, reschedule, replace, or otherwise adjust the remaining tournament arrangements as reasonably necessary.

Players should follow official NCC instructions in that situation.

CFC Ratings

What does “CFC Quick Rated” mean?

It means the tournament is intended to be submitted to the Chess Federation of Canada for Quick rating, subject to applicable CFC requirements and processing.

Does my Lichess rating affect my CFC rating?

They are separate rating systems.

Your Lichess rating is an online platform rating, while your CFC Quick rating is maintained by the Chess Federation of Canada.

When will my CFC rating change?

NCC submits eligible tournament results to the CFC. The CFC then processes the rating report.

The exact processing time is outside NCC's control.

Are byes rated?

Games that are not actually played against an opponent generally should not be treated as normal played games for rating purposes. Tournament points and rating calculations are separate concepts.

Where can I see my updated rating?

Once processed, official CFC rating information can be viewed through the Chess Federation of Canada's player/rating services.

Fair Play

Can I use an engine during my game?

No.

Chess engines or any other form of computer assistance are prohibited during tournament games.

Can I use an opening database?

Not during an ongoing NCC tournament game.

Players must make their own decisions without unauthorized outside assistance.

Can someone help me during my game?

No. You cannot receive moves, advice, analysis, or other assistance from another person while your game is in progress.

Can I analyze my game after it finishes?

Yes. Once your game has completely finished, you may analyze it.

However, you must not use that analysis to provide unauthorized assistance to another player whose game is still in progress.

What happens if someone cheats?

Depending on the circumstances and available evidence, consequences may include:

• Tournament disqualification

• Loss of prize eligibility

• Suspension from future NCC tournaments

• Permanent exclusion from NCC events for serious or repeated violations

• Referral of relevant information to Lichess

• Referral to the CFC when appropriate

Lichess and the CFC make their own decisions regarding sanctions under their respective rules.

Does one suspicious game automatically mean someone cheated?

No.

NCC should not declare someone guilty simply because they played an unusually strong game, defeated a higher-rated player, or had high computer-analysis accuracy.

Fair-play concerns should be handled carefully and based on appropriate evidence.

For complete information, visit the Fair Play & Conduct page.

Prizes & Standings

How are prizes determined?

Prize information is announced for each individual tournament.

The amount may depend on registration numbers and the tournament's advertised prize structure.

What happens if players finish with the same score?

Tournament standings may use the applicable platform or tournament tie-break system to determine final placement when players finish with equal scores.

The announced tournament rules should specify how prize ties are handled.

When are prizes sent?

NCC will verify the final results and any necessary fair-play considerations before distributing prizes.

Players receiving prizes may be contacted after the tournament.

Can I win a prize if my account is under fair-play review?

NCC may delay awarding a prize when there is a legitimate unresolved fair-play concern until the matter has been appropriately reviewed.

Tournament Conduct

What behaviour is expected from players?

Players are expected to:

• Treat opponents and organizers respectfully

• Follow NCC tournament instructions

• Follow applicable CFC and Lichess rules

• Play honestly and independently

• Avoid harassment, abusive language, or disruptive behaviour

• Provide accurate registration information

Serious or repeated misconduct may result in removal or suspension from NCC activities.

Can NCC remove someone from a tournament?

NCC may take reasonable action when necessary to enforce its tournament rules and protect the safety, fairness, and integrity of its events.

Emails & Tournament Updates

How will I receive important tournament information?

NCC may send registered players important information by email, including tournament access information, reminders, schedule changes, rating updates, or other event-related notices.

Players are responsible for providing an accurate email address and checking it before the tournament.

How do I receive announcements about future NCC tournaments?

You can join the NCC Mailing List through the Northern Chess Club website. (Click here: Northern Chess Club - NCC Mailing List)

How do I unsubscribe from promotional emails?

Reply “STOP” to an NCC promotional email to request removal from future promotional announcements.

Necessary communications concerning a tournament you have already registered for may still need to be sent to you.

Still Have Questions?

If you cannot find the answer to your question above, contact:

Northern Chess Club
Email: northernchessofficial@gmail.com

When contacting NCC about a registration, please include the player's full name and CFC ID so we can assist you more quickly.