RULES OF PLAY
Guidelines for the 2020 Phillip O. Taylor Georgia State Championship
Thanks for entering our first online Phillip Taylor Georgia State Championship.
Some of you are familiar with online play and the Internet Chess Club (ICC), and some of you are new to this format. Below are guidelines and procedures for the tournament. Please read carefully and let us know if you have any questions.
ONLINE CHESS PLAY
Online chess is different than Over the Board (OTB) play. Playing in US Chess rated online events affects your USCF online rating but does not affect your regular Over the Board rating.
Ratings thresholds for sections in this tournament are based primarily on USCF Regular (OTB) ratings. While you are playing the game, the rating shown for your opponent may be an internet rating and may not be their US Chess rating.
In order to play in this event, we need to know who you are. You must create your own ICC account before the tournament. Neither the GCA nor ICC cannot do this for you. Your US Chess ID# must also be linked with your Internet Chess Club (ICC) handle. There is no way that either ICC or the tournament directors can link these unless you tell them your handle. YOU MUST TELL US YOUR ICC HANDLE BEFORE THE ROUND OR YOU WILL NOT BE PAIRED! You can email us at gastatechamp@georgiachess.org with your ICC handle, if you did not provide it with your tournament registration.
You must be logged on to ICC when pairings are made. IF YOU ARE NOT LOGGED ON WHEN THE PAIRINGS ARE MADE, YOU WILL NOT BE PAIRED FOR THAT ROUND! This is not like OTB chess where you can arrive late for a round and be paired. We suggest you log in to ICC and Zoom at least 15 minutes before the scheduled round time.
There is no touch move! If you make a mouse click mistake, that move is binding – THERE ARE NO TAKEBACKS!
BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT
Make sure your ICC account is linked to your USCF#. If you are not currently an ICC member, we will email you with a coupon code for a free, 2-month membership. Then, email us your ICC handle so that we can associate it with your tournament entry (gastatechamp@georgiachess.org).
To be eligible for prizes, you must be on Zoom displaying your real name, so make sure you have the Zoom software set-up and ready to go before the day of the tournament. Zoom links will be published the day before the event.
ICC has two different versions you can download: Blitzen and Dasher. You can also play via a browser. We strongly recommend you play a few practice games before the event so that you can get used to the server.
You should familiarize yourself with ICC settings. You are responsible for these settings. The default setting is that when a pawn reaches the 8th rank it is automatically a queen. If you want the ability to underpromote, you must change your settings. If you do not change the setting and a promotion causes a stalemate, that is binding!
The server will claim certain things automatically (wins on time, checkmate, stalemate, certain draw situations) – make sure you know the policies below.
ICC SETTINGS AND RULES FOR THE PHILLIP TAYLOR GEORGIA STATE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
- Default setting is pawn will promote to queen.
- Claims made by the computer: a) Win on time b) 75 move rule c) Checkmate or stalemate d) Draw by insufficient mating material (see “help” command - “help draw”)
- Tournament room is channel 385
- Headphones are not allowed
- Zoom is required in order to be eligible for prizes. One camera that shows the player is required.
- GCA uses your OTB rating for pairings and prizes. We reserve the right to assign a rating and/or use CCA minimum ratings.
- Separate chess boards are not allowed.
- You can check to see if you entered the tournament at: http://georgiachess.org/event-3976339 . Please be aware that the pre-registration list is updated manually, so your entry will not show up immediately after you submit it.
- Event standings are posted at www.chessclub.com/grid/GCA
DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT
Round 1 starts at 12:00 noon on October 3. You must log on to ICC and Zoom before the round starts. We recommend logging into both at least 15 minutes before the round time.
There is no need to click anything to join the tournament or to accept a challenge. When the pairings go up, your board will appear. It normally takes the computer two or three minutes to “publish” the pairings. When the pairings go up, wait 5 minutes before telling the TD you don’t have a pairing. If your opponent has not made his first move in 5 minutes, inform a TD. Your opponent is allowed time to think! Just because they have not moved in 5 or 10 minutes does not mean they are not there. If you want to confirm your opponent is still online, use the finger command “finger ”.
Pairings for each round are made by the ICC computer. Pairings are made using basic swiss system rules, but the algorithm is slightly different than what some players may be used to. For instance, unrated players can receive a bye (same as FIDE pairing rules), and players are ranked according to tiebreak rather than by rating.
During the tournament, you will see two chat rooms. The main console is the room to enter commands. There is a separate chatroom for the tournament on Channel 324. Please note that if you are playing on the browser version rather than the downloadable version, just click “Console” you do not need to type the number. If you have an issue with your game, you can use the chatroom to contact a TD. Please do not spam comments to the chatroom as that makes it more difficult for the TDs to see and answer questions.
There is a grid where you can see pairings, games, and standings: www.chessclub.com/grid/GCA
Many times, a player will complain that the server booted them off the internet. In nearly every case, the problem is on the user’s end or with the user’s internet service provider. If you get booted, you should immediately log back in! On ICC the command to resume a game is / resume. If you want to see whether you are logged in, the command is “finger.” You will then see your status. If your opponent logs off, wait for them to return. The game clock does not run during disconnection. Because of this, the TD will eventually issue a forfeit if a player disconnects for a long period of time. The time is at the TDs discretion, but if you are logged off for more than 10 minutes, you should expect you may be forfeited.
In OTB chess, it is proper to make your move, offer a draw and then start your opponent’s clock. In online chess, as soon as you make your move, your opponent’s clock starts running. Therefore, the best sequence is offering a draw (on your time) and then IMMEDIATELY making your move.
FAIR PLAY AND ANTI-CHEATING PROCEDURES
During the tournament, partial fair play analysis will take place, possibly leading to a player or players being disqualified. After the tournament, all games will be analyzed using ICC’s sophisticated anti-cheating tools. Players suspected of violating the fair play rules may: 1) have their results and any prize eligibility cancelled, 2) be banned from future ICC play, 3) be banned from future Georgia Chess Association tournaments, both online and over-the-board, and 4) be reported to the US Chess Federation Ethics Committee, leading to possible suspension of US Chess Federation membership.
After the tournament, results will not be final for at least a week while ICC Fair Play analysis of all games takes place. If any players are disqualified, opponents’ results will be changed; those who lost to a disqualified player will be given half point byes, and those who drew with a disqualified player will obtain forfeit wins.
We are happy to be able to offer a State Championship tournament this year. Thank you for your participation and your continued support of the Georgia Chess Association!
Please email gastatechamp@georgiachess.org with any questions about this tournament, and visit http://georgiachess.org/ to look for future tournaments and support chess in our state.
ZOOM ROOM RULES
Participants are expected to use the same computer during the whole tournament. Play must be on desktops, laptops and notebooks only, mobiles and tablets are not allowed.
YOU MUST BE ON ZOOM TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PRIZES.
- Bathroom break: Does not apply to Rapid. For Online Regular rated play (G/25+10 & slower), one (1) is allowed per round, but not if the remaining time on both clocks totals under 30 minutes. For Online Quick or Online Blitz rated play, such a break may be penalized at the director's discretion and may be a factor considered in "fair play" enforcement.
- The bathroom break limit applies to players whether using Zoom or not. Before going on a bathroom break, players must click the "raise your hand" button and type "bathroom" in the Zoom chat.
- The best setting for the Zoom camera is the angle behind the user, possibly on a cell phone, that allows a view of the entire chess board & monitor. Using the playing computer for Zoom as well is not recommended (uses up bandwidth) and can cause lag or freezing of the chessboard.
-
- The Director may on occasion require that Zoom be temporarily adjusted to reveal parts of the room not otherwise displayed.
- Audio as well as video must be enabled on Zoom.
- Noise such as music that may be loud enough to mask possible illegal discussion is not permitted.
- Zoom may be used either on the computer being used to play or on a separate device, clearly showing the player and making him/her easily identifable.
- A player may not leave for a bathroom break while on move.
- Players are warned that improvement of play slightly after a bathroom break is considered highly suspicious and, depending on other factors, could lead to a player being forfeited or banned.
RULES FOR GEORGIA CHESS ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENTS ON ICC
How to play
- Using a desktop, laptop or notebook computer, Mac or Windows (tablets/phones not allowed) login to ICC at least 30 minutes before the tournament.
To play on the web (simplest), use this link: Play on Web Browser.
To use ICC's playing software, download it here. Once you download the file, run it and follow the installation instructions.
- ICC for MAC and Windows users can go to the TOURNAMENTS tab on the left-hand menu, and click on "Join Tournament".
- DASHER: Click on top menu Window->My Tournaments->Join Tournament and click on the green button to join.
- BLITZIN: Click on top Window->Events and in the list search for the gca tournament, click on the green button to join.
During the tournament, the standings and pairings will be available on the website which will be communicated by the tournament manager.
Finally, if you want to be eligible for cash prizes, you must use Zoom, and connect to the ICC Zoom room. INSTRUCTIONS HERE. Make sure you test Zoom and your webcam before the event starts. You can play without Zoom, but will not be eligible for prizes.
RULES
- Disconnecting before the start will remove you from the tournament. If you disconnect after the start, you will not be removed automatically, but you need to return as soon as possible, or the manager will forfeit you.
- A player must not enter the tournament on more than one username, or risk being forfeited on both usernames.
- Use of computer chess engines, databases, chess books, magazines, written notes and any other form of external assistance while playing is strictly prohibited. Assistance from other players is also prohibited and will result in disqualification as well as further sanctions as laid out by ICC's User Agreement and Policy rules.
- By entering this tournament, I agree to the following.
- I will not give my password to anyone.
- I will not share my account.
- I am the only person allowed to use my account.
- Specifically, I will not allow other people to use my account.
- will not use any account which does not belong to me.
- I will not use chess database software, analysis software, chess engines or any outside assistance of any kind to assist one’s game while playing US CHESS rated games on the Internet Chess Club. I acknowledge and agree that the ICC, gca and US CHESS has the right to monitor such activity and further agree to indemnify, defend and hold the US CHESS, gca and ICC harmless from and against any and all liabilities, claims, causes of action or damages (including attorney's fees) arising from the Company's exercise of its rights herein.
- I will behave decently toward other players, as described in help atmosphere and help abuse.
- Players are prohibited from giving takebacks or moretime during the tournament.
- All participants are expected to be familiar with the rules of chess used on the ICC server. In particular, participants should be aware of the ICC rules for draws and how to claim a draw if such a claim is necessary to invoke a particular draw rule. To that end, each participant is encouraged to review the rules here.
- The tournament manager may, at his or her discretion, refuse to allow a player to enter the tournament or eject a player from the tournament, for any reason, including, but not limited to: connection problems, excessive lag, failure to start tournament games promptly, failure to resume tournament games promptly, disruptive behavior in the tournament room, suspicion that the player is receiving outside assistance, suspicion that the player is using computer assistance, or discovery that the account or player has a previous history of violating ICC rules. The manager is not obligated to disclose the reason for his or her decision, and his or her decision is final. There is no process for appeal.
- The ICC tournament directors may, at their discretion, rule that all games of a player in a tournament are forfeited due to a fair play violation. The scores of the forfeited players' opponents shall be adjusted as follows:
- A) If the tournament has been concluded, or there are one or two rounds remaining, opponents who lost to the forfeited player shall receive a half point bye, and opponents who drew with the forfeited player shall receive an unplayed win.
- B) If there are three or more rounds remaining, all opponents who faced the forfeited player shall receive an unplayed win.
- C) Once the tournament rating report has been submitted to USCF for rating, the results are final and no results or prizes will be adjusted.
- "FAIR PLAY" ANALYSIS: All games played in USCF rated tournaments will be analyzed using ICC's sophisticated anti-cheating tools. Such analysis will include, but not be limited to, comparing moves played to the recommendations of various engines. Players suspected of violating the Fair Play rules may:
- 1) have their results and any prize eligibility canceled
- 2) be banned from future play on ICC,
- 3) be banned from future Continental Chess tournaments both online and over the board, and
- 4) be reported to the USCF Ethics Committee, leading to possible suspension of USCF membership.
- After each tournament, results will not be final for about a week (up to two weeks for the World Open) while ICC fair play analysis of all games takes place.
- Successfully playing US CHESS online rated games are at the mercy to an individual’s connectivity and one’s ability to use the various interfaces to connect and play on our site. The ICC, gca or the US CHESS, cannot be responsible for games lost due to an entrant’s difficulty remaining connected or inability to use the programs used to play. Completed games cannot and will not be re-started, resumed or ratings adjusted for any reason.
- Neither ICC, gca nor US CHESS can be responsible for things that can happen with internet play. Examples of this can be: slips or dropped pieces; returning a piece back to its original place and accidentally setting it on the wrong square; game boards disappearing; etc. This list is not all-inclusive, as there may be other issues that we cannot control as well.
- Half point byes are available as described in the tournament publicity, but only if claimed as part of your entry at chessaction.com.
- Intentional rating abuse (lowering rating to enter lower class) is prohibited and may lead to disqualification as well as further sanctions as laid out by ICC's Agreement and Policy rules.
- ICC and gca reserve the right to use image and name of winner(s) from their online events for publicity purposes.
- As real names will be made public, all players including players who own free GM/WGM/IM/WIM/FM/WFM accounts on ICC are required to use their public handles in this tournament, as opposed to anonymous accounts.
- The ICC tournament directors may at their discretion make a ruling on a particular game, eject a player from a tournament, or refuse to allow a player to join a tournament for any reason including but not limited to: failure to show up on time or to start a game on time, concern that the player's internet connection is not reliable enough for the game to finish in a timely manner, suspicion of chess computer use, suspicion that a player is receiving assistance, suspicion that a player has used multiple accounts during the tournament, or the fact that this player has been caught violating ICC rules in the past.
- Participants are expected to use the same computer during the whole tournament. Play must be on desktops, laptops and notebooks only, mobiles and tablets are not allowed.
- Bathroom break: For Online Regular rated play (G/25+10 & slower), one (1) is allowed per round, but not if the remaining time on both clocks totals under 30 minutes. For Online Quick or Online Blitz rated play, such a break may be penalized at the director's discretion and may be a factor considered in "fair play" enforcement.
- The bathroom break limit applies to players whether using Zoom or not. Before going on a bathroom break, players must click the "raise your hand" button and type "bathroom" in the Zoom chat. More info
- Zoom must be set so that it displays the player and the area near the player. It does not need to display the position as the Director knows this even if you don’t use Zoom. More info
- The Director may on ogcasion require that Zoom be temporarily adjusted to reveal parts of the room not otherwise displayed. More info
- Audio as well as video must be enabled on Zoom. More info
- Noise such as music that may be loud enough to mask possible illegal discussion is not permitted. More info
- Zoom may be used either on the computer being used to play or on a separate device, clearly showing the player and making him/her easily identifiable. More info
- A player may not leave for a bathroom break while on move. More info
- Players are warned that improvement of play slightly after a bathroom break is considered highly suspicious and, depending on other factors, could lead to a player being forfeited or banned. More info
- No player may win more than one prize.