2009 Gibtelecom Chess Festival: Regulations

AFFILIATION

All English entrants must be direct members of the English Chess Federation and must quote their membership number when entering.

ENTRY

Details of regulations relating to entry fees can be found on the Entry page

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS

The FIDE Rating list of 1 January 2009 shall apply. The Masters is a ten-round open Swiss tournament providing opportunities to qualify for titles and the FIDE World Rating List.
An Accelerated Pairing system is used and this provides exceptional opportunities to qualify for title norms.
The two Challengers tournaments are also FIDE Rated.
By the time of the congress, FIDE Ratings may extend as low as 1201, which puts the achievement of a rating within the grasp of practically everybody interested in participating.

MOBILE PHONES

These must be switched off in the playing venue. If a player's phone rings, makes a sound, or he uses it during play he shall be forfeited.

NO SMOKING RULE

Smoking is forbidden in the playing and contiguous areas or the commentary room.

PRIZE PAYMENTS

All regulations relating to prize payments made be found on the Prizes page of this website.

REGISTRATION

Players rated 2200 or higher must register before 20.00hrs on 26 January 2009 or have confirmed their entry at the Caleta Hotel in order to be included in the first round draw.

SPECTATORS

There is no charge for spectators to watch the games in play, to attend GM Stuart Conquest's commentaries on the games in play; or to attend the evening Master Classes.

SHORT DRAWS (Masters Event)

Draws by mutual agreement in under 30 moves are not allowed. There must be no pre-arranged or tacit agreements to draw games of any length, by repetition or otherwise. Genuine draws by repetition or stalemate are acceptable. Penalties may involve loss of prize money.

APPEALS

An appeals committee will be formed comprising of three senior players. All appeals will be submitted in writing within two hours of the end of the game.

BYES (Masters Event)

Players who wish to take one half-point bye in the Masters may do so, provided they give adequate notice. Normally this is not available for either the first or last round. This may be particularly convenient for somebody wishing to take part in the new coaching initiative.

GAMES INPUTTING

Players are expected to help ensure their games are shown correctly on the internet.