The Tournament Rules cannot, and should not, regulate all possible situations that may arise during a game. Respecting the Rules, the Director, and the superior Rules Committee, preserves their freedom of judgment and must find the solution dictated by fairness and compatible with the circumstances of a particular case (e.g. infringement of accepted standard Tournament behavior by a player or spectator). In the event of a dispute, the decision of the Rules Committee will be final. Nobody has the right to change the Rules.
1.2 Scope
Except where otherwise specified, the commonly accepted rules of backgammon apply.
1.3 Eligibility
Director may exclude or disqualify entrants for reasons which need not be stated but shall include cheating and other serious misconduct.
1.4 Aids
Once a match is in progress, players may not use electronic or mechanical, printed or written aids.
1.5 Spectators
Spectators should remain silent while observing a match. Spectators have no right to draw attention to any misplays or comment on plays. Player may blind one or more spectators from viewing his match and it will not be necessary for a player to give a reason. Spectators, except to report cheating to Director, may testify about their observations only at request of Director. A player receiving unsolicited advice from a spectator must summon Director at once. If a player is found to have received solicited advice from a spectator, both shall forfeit any remaining matches.
1.6 Format
Tournament is played in Swiss format, pairings to be done with Swiss Perfect program. The number of rounds shall be 9. Each round consists of two 13pt matches. Each 13pt match win is worth 1pt.
The position of teams that finish with the same number of match points shall be determined by the Progressive system, then by the Bucholtz system, then by the Sonneborn-Berger system.
Entry fee is 55 euro, and 50 euro from each player go to the prize fund and 5 euro for tournament organizer costs.
PRIZES: if same number of points, will be equally divided (tie-breaks do not apply for monetary awards). Distribution of prize money will be announced before the start of the tournament based on number of players entered.
If there is an odd number of players, a bye should be given to a player which arbitrarily would be credited with 1 point.
Players wishing to withdraw from the tournament must announce this to the Tournament Director and they won't be paired in subsequent rounds.
1.7. Round schedule
1st round:Saturday, 4 May 2013 at 16.00 CET (UTC+2) 2nd round:Sunday, 5 May 2013 at 16.00 CET (UTC+2) 3rd round:Monday, 6 May 2013 at 18.00 CET (UTC+2) 4th round:Tuesday, 7 May 2013 at 18.00 CET (UTC+2) 5th round:Wednesday, 8 May 2013 at 18.00 CET (UTC+2) 6th round:Thursday, 9 May 2013 at 18.00 CET (UTC+2) 7th round:Friday, 10 May 2013 at 18.00 CET (UTC+2) 8th round:Saturday, 11 May 2013 at 16.00 CET (UTC+2) 9th round:Sunday, 12 May 2013 at 16.00 CET (UTC+2)
1.8. Publicity
As a condition of entry in this event, all players agree to permit their matches, or any portion thereof, to be recorded, made public, and possibly published, without any compensation in return. Players also agree to cooperate in granting interviews, photographs, or videos without compensation.
ALL MATCHES need to be saved in .txt or .sgg match file format and sent to: [email protected]
2.0 Regulations
2.1 Place
All matches must be played on the GridGammon server at the specified time. All matches will have a scheduled start time. Unless excused by the Director, a late player shall be penalized by points awarded to the opponent as follows: The first penalty point shall be awarded 15 minutes after the scheduled start time and accrue thereafter at a rate of 1 point for every 5 minutes of delay. When the penalty points awarded exceed half the number needed to win the match, the absent player shall lose the round matches by forfeit.
2.2 Breaks
Each player may take breaks only between games and no more than once in any 13pt match. Breaks may last no more than 5 minutes. Between matches, break is allowed lasting no more than 15 minutes.
2.3 Slow Play
Players are expected to play at a reasonable pace. On his own initiative or the request of a player, Director may monitor a match for slow play. Director shall warn an unduly slow player after the first offense. For each subsequent offense, Director shall at his own discretion impose 1 penalty point on the slow player.
2.4 Settlements
No players may settle a game or a match. All matches will be played to the stated number of points. Players do not have the right to agree between themselves to play a different score.
2.5 Disconnections and server crash
If a player loses internet connection (not due to server crash), he is required to re-establish connection within 20 minutes. Otherwise, he loses the remaining matches by default. However, if a third disconnection occurs during the same match lasting more then 5 minutes, as the previous two disconnections, not necessarily in the same game, player loses the remaining matches by default.
In the case of a server crash, the game being played must be resumed upon reconnection with the server. Players must allow a minimum of 30 minutes for the server to come back online and to allow connections. After 30 minutes have elapsed, the players will be notified of schedule changes.
3.0 Contentions
3.1 Disputes
When a dispute arises, all players must rest while Director is summoned. Violations by player in this area are most serious and create a presumption in favor of opponent.
3.2 Testimony
Any player may argue issues of fact or rule. Spectators, except to report cheating, may testify only at Director's or Rules Committee member's request.
3.3 Appeals
Player may appeal Director's ruling, but he must to do so promptly, while timely redress may still be obtained. To resolve an appeal, Director shall convene at last 3 Members of the Rules Committee that, after hearing relevant testimony and arguments, may overturn Director's ruling by majority decision. This exhaust player's right to appeal.