Official rules
Tournament rules
Standard rules, formats, tiebreaks, and conduct guidelines for all events hosted on ChessMate. Individual directors may post additional rules in their event announcements.
General rules
US Chess rulebook
All ChessMate-hosted events follow the Official Rules of Chess published by US Chess (formerly USCF). The rulebook is available at uschess.org. Where a director's specific rules conflict, the director's stated rules take precedence for unrated events only.
Touch-move rule
If you touch a piece with the intention of moving it, you must move that piece if it has a legal move. If you touch an opponent's piece, you must capture it if a legal capture exists. Say "j'adoube" (or "I adjust") before adjusting a piece on its square.
Illegal moves
An illegal move must be retracted and a legal move made with the same piece if possible. The first illegal move results in a time penalty (two additional minutes for the opponent). The second illegal move results in a forfeit.
Electronic devices
Mobile phones and other electronic devices must be switched off or set to silent and kept out of reach during play. Possession of a device that emits a signal during play may result in forfeiture at the director's discretion.
Late arrival
A player who arrives more than one hour after the round starts (or such shorter time as the director specifies) forfeits the game. Directors may post a shorter forfeit time — check the event announcement.
Tournament formats
Swiss System
Players are paired by score group each round using the bbpPairings algorithm (FIDE-approved). Players with equal or similar scores are paired together. Color assignment alternates and balances throughout the event. Byes may be available for the first half of rounds — request them from the director before round 1.
Round Robin
Every player faces every other player exactly once. Schedules are generated using Berger tables for balanced color distribution. Round Robin is most common for small sections (up to 10 players).
Time controls
The time control appears on every tournament listing using standard notation: G/90;d5 means "Game in 90 minutes with a 5-second delay." G/30+5 means "Game in 30 minutes with a 5-second increment." Make sure you know the time control before you arrive.
Sections
Many tournaments divide players into sections based on USCF rating (e.g. Open, Under 1800, Under 1400). You may only register for a section if your rating is at or below the maximum. Section eligibility is checked automatically at registration.
Scoring & tiebreaks
Points
Win = 1 point. Draw = ½ point. Loss = 0 points. A full-point bye (by prior arrangement with the director) scores 1 point. An unexcused absence scores 0.
Solkoff (Modified Median)
Sum of opponents' scores, typically dropping the highest and/or lowest score. This is the most common first tiebreak in US Chess Swiss events.
Cumulative score
Sum of the player's running score after each round. Rewards consistent performance over the event.
Sonneborn-Berger
For each win, add the opponent's total score. For each draw, add half the opponent's total score. Common in Round Robin events.
Head-to-head
If two players are tied and played each other, the winner of that game ranks higher.
Tiebreak order
The director specifies the tiebreak order in the event announcement. When no order is specified, ChessMate defaults to: (1) Modified Median, (2) Solkoff, (3) Cumulative, (4) Head-to-head.
Conduct & fair play
Sportsmanship
All participants are expected to behave respectfully toward opponents, directors, and spectators. Unsportsmanlike conduct — including profanity, threats, or deliberately distracting an opponent — may result in forfeiture or removal from the event.
Computer assistance
Receiving assistance from a chess engine, database, or any other analytical tool during a game is strictly prohibited and constitutes cheating. Detected cheating results in forfeiture and may result in a report to US Chess.
Draws
Draw offers may only be made by the player whose turn it is to move, immediately after making a move. Repeated draw offers to the same opponent may be considered harassment. A draw by agreement, repetition, or the 50-move rule is valid.
Recording games
All players are required to record their games in rated events (unless an accommodation has been granted). Scoresheets belong to the organizer. The director may review scoresheets to resolve disputes.
Appeals
Any ruling by the director may be appealed to the Chief Tournament Director or a panel of players. Appeals must be submitted before the next round begins. The appeal must be accompanied by a $5 fee (refundable if the appeal is upheld).
A note on director discretion
Tournament directors have final authority on all rulings at their events. These guidelines represent standard US Chess practice, but directors may adjust rules for unrated events or special circumstances. Always check the specific event announcement for any custom rules or tiebreak orders.