Tournament Rules

  1. As soon as the game ends raise your hand so that the result is recorded correctly.
    1. Reset the pieces and leave the playing area.  Even “quiet talk”, whisper, blitz, etc. is disturbing and not allowed.
  2. The time of the start of each round will be clearly posted. About 10 minutes prior to the start of each round the pairing chart showing your table number, color and opponent will be posted.
  3. Start clocks promptly when round begins.  Clocks with incorrect settings may be corrected by the TD. Follow directions of TD when unsure. After 30/45 minutes, if your opponent is late you may claim a win on time.  If neither player has a clock you may borrow one, or you may start without a clock.  If you borrow a clock after play has begun elapsed time will be split evenly.
  4. In case of a problem/dispute, stop clock and raise hand or get a TD.
  5. Touch Move Rule: You must move a piece if you touch it and can move it legally.
    1. If castling, it is proper to touch the King first, but there is no penalty for touching the Rook first.
    2. When capturing, promoting or castling, a player may use two hands.
  6. All scoresheets should be visible at all times.
  7. Players may not use cellphones or other electronic devices while playing without permission of a Director. Devices used to play music, which cannot operate software, are permissible if the opponent does not object.
    1. Players may not use or possess cellphones or other electronic devices while playing, in a bathroom, or outside the playing area. Players whose games have finished are also not allowed to use or possess cellphones or other electronic devices in a bathroom.
    2. Cellphones in the tournament room must be stored out of sight in a pocket, bag or case and must be turned off. No vibrate, silent or beep mode.
    3. Players may leave cellphones with the Director before using the bathroom.
    4. Players who wishes to make a call during play should see the Director and request permission to call.
    5. A player who anticipates possibly receiving an emergency call should notify a Director in advance, and will usually be provided with an alternate number for the caller.
    6. Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by a Director. Refusal to cooperate with a search request warrants forfeiture of game and ejection from the tournament.

2019 – 2020 TRM Season Rules

  1. General – There will be a series of about 10 free monthly chess tournaments for scholastic players from October through June. Tournaments will usual occur on the first Saturday of the month.
    • Only tournaments following 2019 – 2020 season standard format described below will be used for awards purposes. These tournaments will be named using the TRM ### format.
  2. Tournament Registration
    • Online registration will be open until 6:00 pm of the Thursday prior to the tournament.
    • Players that register online and don’t show up (without proper notification as defined on the registration form) will be assessed a $5 penalty at their next tournament.
    • Onsite registration will be available on the day of the tournament. To play round one players must register by 9:15 am.
  3. Sections – There will be four unrated section and four rated sections.
    • Rated sections – Adults are not allowed to play in the Rook section independent of rating. Rated sections will include:
      • Open – Open to all – Players with a standard rating over 1400 must play in open.
      • King – Standard rating of up to 1400
      • Queen – Standard rating of up to 1000
      • Rook – Standard rating of up to 600
    • Unrated sections – Rated scholastic players will not be allowed to play unrated scholastic sections. Unrated sections will include:
        • AWE – All Welcome
        • kNight – Scholastic – Up to 12th grade
        • Bishop – Scholastic – Up to 5th grade
        • Pawn – Scholastic – Up to 2nd grade
          • In an attempt to promote growth of players and ensure unrated players are paired against players of similar ability there will be a move up rule for unrated players.
            • Players in unrated sections are strongly encouraged/recommended to move up after winning a trophy (1st, 2nd or 3rd) two times.
            • Players in unrated section will be required to move up after winning a trophy three times.
            • The move up progression will be: Pawn to Bishop, Bishop to kNight, kNight to Rook.
            • For example, if a 1st grader wins three trophies in the pawn section, they will be required to move up to the bishop section.
  4. Tournament format –
    • For all sections other than open – tournaments will consist of four games at G/30 d/5, with games scheduled for 10:00, 11:30, 1:00 and 2:15.
    • For the open section – tournaments will consist of three games at G/45 d/5, with games scheduled for 9:45, 11:45, and 1:45.
    • All rated sections games will impact regular and quick rating.
    • A maximum of one half-a-point bye is permitted and can be for any round. Players must let TD know before pairing of the round for which the bye is requested. If it is for the first round, players are to request the bye during registration.
  5. Tournament Awards – Presented following the final round
    • Individual
      • Awards are for Scholastic players ONLY.
      • There will be NO AWARDS for adults.
      • There will be no awards for AWE or Open.
      • USCF Standard Tiebreak System will be used to break the ties.
      • For all sections other than AWE and Open –
        • Trophies will be awarded to the top three SCHOLASTIC players in each section with 12 or more players.  Trophies will be awarded to the top two SCHOLASTIC players in sections less than 12 players.
        • Medals will be awarded to scholastic players with 2.5 points. New players (first, second or third TRM tournament) will earn a medal with two points.
    •  Team
      • Players must register for a team in order for their score to count towards team score.
      • The top four scores of scholastic players from each team will be added together to determine team score. This task will be performed by TRM volunteers by using the tournament results from SwissSys.
      • Teams scoring 12 or more points at a tournament get a certificate.
      • In the event of a tie, number of players present at the tournament for each team that has a point tie will be tallied and the team with more players will win the tiebreak.
  6. 2019 – 2020 Season Awards
    • Individual
      1. Scholastic Player of the Year Award and Top Scholastic Players will be based on player scores for standard TRM tournaments held throughout the 2019 -2020 school year (TRM 138 through TRM 146) in both rated and unrated sections. Awards will be given to the top 10 players.
    • Team
      1. Team of the Year Award and Top Teams will be based on team scores for standard TRM tournaments held throughout the 2019 -2020 school year (TRM 138 through TRM 146) in both rated and unrated sections. Awards will be given to the top 10 team