Tournament Format
All sections are paired as individual Swiss System tournaments. If possible, players from the same team will not be paired. For score groups of plus two or greater (i.e., at least two more wins than losses) players from the same team may be paired if they would otherwise be “paired down” against players from a lower score group. Accelerated pairings may be used or sections combined at the discretion of Tournament Directors.

Pairings
• Pairing charts for each round will be posted outside of the playing areas. Pairing lists will be in alphabetical order. Each player should find his/her name on the left side of the page followed by the color and board number to be played. Your opponent’s name, score, school code and rating appear on the right side of the page.

Withdrawal
If a player must leave for any reason and will not be able to play all games in the tournament, please tell the person at Chess Control near the elevators so that we do not have unpaired players.

Time Control and Clocks
All games will be played as "G/30” or "Game 30" which means each player has 30 minutes for the game, so an entire game will last one hour or less; this is the most common time control for scholastic events.

All clocks should face the center aisle or as the Tournament Director specifies. Players are NOT permitted to make any adjustments to clocks after the game has begun. Only Tournament Directors may correct or add time to clocks. If a player’s time runs out before the game has been decided, the opponent may claim a time forfeit win or draw according to the rules of chess. Only a player may claim a time forfeit.

Tournament Director Assistance
If a player requires assistance during a game, the player should raise his/her hand. The player may also stop the clock if claiming a draw or rules violation. If the claim is denied, two minutes may be added to the opponent’s remaining time by the Tournament Director. Only Tournament Directors may correct or add time to clocks.

Draws
A proposal of a draw should be made by a player only after making a move and before starting the opponent’s clock. Once both players agree to a draw, the game is over.

Reporting Game Results
Immediately upon completion of the game, the players should:

4. ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THE POSTED RESULT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE CORRECT BEFORE THE NEXT ROUND BEGINS! IF THEY ARE NOT ACCURATE, THEY CANNOT BE CHANGED ONCE THE NEXT ROUND STARTS. THIS RESPONSIBLITY RESTS ON THE PLAYERS.

Results Accuracy
• Wall charts will be posted as soon as possible after all players have completed each round. Players are responsible for checking wall charts for accuracy. Report any errors to the Chief Tournament Director or Section Monitor IMMEDIATELY. Both players involved in a game must be present for the tournament official to correct a scoring error.

• Verify your USCF number, grade, and school/team name as soon as the first wall charts are posted. Your school name on the wall chart should look EXACTLY like that of your teammates (e.g., “Smith Middle School” is NOT the same as “Smith MS”). Report any errors to the Pairings Director IMMEDIATELY. Pairing errors due to school team definition errors may not be corrected after pairings for the next round are posted. They will be corrected for subsequent rounds.

Basic Rules
• Touch move: If you touch a piece with the intention of moving it and your opponent claims touch move, you must move it if it can be legally moved. If you intentionally touch an opponent’s piece, you must take that piece if it is a legal move.

• Move determination/completion: A move is determined when you remove your hand from the piece, and the move is complete when you punch your clock.

Official Rules of Chess
Decisions of Tournament Directors will be based on the U.S. Chess Federation’s Official Rules of Chess, Fifth Edition.

Integrity and Sportsmanship
Players, coaches, parents, and other tournament observers are expected to adhere to the principles of honesty, respect, and courtesy and to the rules of chess. The outcome of each game should be decided over the board by the players within the rules of chess. Do not comment on or interfere in another game for any reason, including mentioning that a flag has fallen or an illegal move made.

• Honesty: Treat other players as you wish to be treated, with respect. Honesty in observance of the rules is expected at all times.

• Be on time: Players are expected to be on time for each round.

• Play and exit quietly: No talking is permitted during a game, except for expressions appropriate to the game (i.e., “check, adjust, draw?”).

• Never interfere in another game for any reason whatsoever, including mentioning that a flag has fallen or an illegal move made. If you must leave the tournament room while your game is still in progress, you may not discuss your game with anyone or receive any assistance relating to your game. Leave the room quietly after your game is over and you have reported the results.

• Game analysis: Do not analyze or replay your game in the tournament room. Analyze and discuss your game in designated areas outside the tournament room after reporting the game result.

Team Competition
Team competition is calculated by adding the points accumulated by its three top-scoring players. There is no limit to the number of players from each school, but schools must have at least two players in a section to be eligible for team prizes. In most cases, participants will not have to play against teammates (see Tournament Format section above for exceptions). All team members must be enrolled as full-time students in the same school. Club teams are allowed.

Tie Breaks
When individual or team scores are equal, the following sequence of tie-break systems will be used to designate awards: