RULES OF PLAY

RULES FOR LAS VEGAS CHESS 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 LVC 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. 

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 cannot play without Zoom.

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.
   
• The 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, LVC and US CHESS has the right to monitor such activity and further agree to indemnify, defend and hold the US CHESS, LVC, 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, a suspicion that the player is receiving outside assistance, a 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), while ICC fair play analysis of all games occurs.
   
• 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, LVC, 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, LVC, 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 to its original place, 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. 
   
• 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 and further sanctions as laid out by ICC's Agreement and Policy rules.
   
• ICC and LVC reserve the right to use the image and name of the 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, a suspicion that a player is receiving assistance, a 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 occasion 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.

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 PLAY IN THE TOURNAMENTS.
 

• 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 chessboard & 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 identifiable.
   
• 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.