Tournament Regulations

2025 Strategic Minds November Rapid

General Information

• Date: 29 November 2025
• Venue: Anglican Church Grammar School Library Theatre
• Format: 9-round Swiss Rapid tournament
• Time Control: 15 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move
• Round Times: 10:00, 10:45, 11:30, 12:15, 13:00 (Lunch), 14:15, 15:00, 15:45, 16:30
• Rating: FIDE Rapid; ACF Quick and QJ

Entry Fees

• Standard Entry: $70
• Early Bird (before 28 Nov): $60
• Registration on the 29th: $70 (May be paired into Round 2)

Prizes

• 1st Prize: $500
• 2nd Prize: $300
• 3rd Prize: $200
• Best Junior (U18): medal
• Best Junior (U12): medal
• Rating Group Prizes (based on entries)

Rules & Regulations

• ROUNDS: 9 round Swiss Dutch JaFaVo
• FIDE Laws of Chess Appendix A4 will apply
• SCHEDULE: As per flyer https://ace.aunz.net/2025-SM-November-Rapid/
• BYES: Up to two half point byes available in rounds 1 to 7 for the 9 round event
• A bye request must be made before the start of the previous round to the round concerned (i.e. A request for a bye in round 4 must be made before the start of round 3)
• Bye requests prior to the tournament MUST be via email to david@ace.aunz.net
• Byes requests are only valid if you have received a confirmation email in reply
• Bye requests during the tournament must be made to the Chief Arbiter
• TIME CONTROL: 15 minutes each plus 5 seconds a move from move 1 (Fischer)
• RATING: FIDE, ACF and QJ rated
• SEEDING: ACF, use FIDE if no ACF
• Players are expected to arrive prior to the sign-in closure time for the tournament. The organisers guarantee that if you and your opponent are at the table at the Round One start time you will play each other
• In instances where your opponent does not arrive the organisers will re-pair you with another player or allocate a bye. The organisers cannot cater to every contingency but will attempt to be as flexible as possible whilst still aiming to begin each round at the scheduled start time

Pairings & Tiebreaks

• Pairings will be done using Vega
• Tiebreaks: 1.Direct Encounter (DE) 2. Buccholz Cut 1 (BH-C1), 3. Average Rating of Opposition Cut 1 (AROC-C1)
• Late arrivals may be paired into round 2

Code of Conduct

• All players must behave in a sportsmanlike manner and abide by the CAQ Code of Conduct.
• No abusive behavior will be tolerated
• The arbiter's decision is final
• Any disputes must be raised immediately

Fair Play

• All "Mobile Phones" and other "Communication Devices" are to be switched off in the "Playing Area". The bounds of the "Playing Area" will be clearly defined prior to the start of the tournament. It will include the tournament halls, toilets, and the walkways to the toilets.
• Exceptions to this will be to allow photos to be taken for the first 1 minute of the first round. The Organiser and the Arbiters may make exceptions to these conditions (e.g. Mobile devices used for medical alarms).
• "Communication Devices" include tablet computers, PDAs, MP3 players, smart watches and any other devices that can send or receive external transmissions.
• Players are not allowed to have any such device in the "Playing Area" during their game. Exceptions will be to allow these devices to be stored powered off as allowed by the arbiters; and not to be accessible to the player except with permission of the arbiters. A breach of this rule will result in the automatic loss of the game in the case of a player (if a game is in progress), or the exclusion from the "Playing Area" until the start of the next round (in the case of a player who has finished their game), or for the rest of the day (in the case of a spectator).