EAST BAY CHESS CLUB (EBCC)
GENERAL RULES

NOTE: Regular time controls include time controls such as 40/2 and 30/90. Sudden death time controls include those such as SD/1 or G/30. Rules not specifically marked as either apply under both time controls. More rules appear in the USCF rulebook. FIDE-rated events will use FIDE rules.
  1. Please follow chess etiquette and good sportsmanship principles. Bad sportsmanship includes: ignoring the TD, disturbing players in the tournament room, unruly behavior, attempts to disturb/distract your opponent, other violations of the USCF rules for ethical play, etc. Punishment for repeat offenders includes being banned from the EBCC!
  2. The latest USCF supplement ratings will be used for pairing purposes.
  3. No half-point byes for the last 2 rounds may be requested after round 1 – they MUST be requested prior to round 1. If you cannot play in one or both of the last 2 rounds, you will receive a 0-point bye.
  4. If you fill in the online entry form, and do not show up 15 minutes prior the first round (without directly notifying the director – i.e., leaving a phone or e-mail message does NOT count), you will not be paired for the round!
  5. If you mail your entry form and fee prior the start of the event and then decide to withdraw, you will be refunded an amount based on how early you withdraw – if you withdraw more than 24 hours in advance, you can either take a 50% cash refund or credit the money towards a future entry; if you withdraw within 24 hours of the event, you will be given 50% of the entry in club credit towards a future entry.
  6. Start clock promptly when TD announces that the round begins. Set analog clocks to expire at 6:00 - for instance, 4:00 if 40/2. Time delay clocks should be set for 5 second delay for entire game for G/30 or slower, with 5 minutes deducted from each side at start of game.
  7. If you have no clock, borrow one from another player or buy one from the club. If not possible, start without it; try to borrow as soon as you can, splitting elapsed time. The EBCC will not guarantee use of club equipment for all players.
  8. You may not subtract time from late opponent without setting up clock, set, and board.
  9. If opponent is an hour late, as measured by your clock, you may claim a win on time. If you do not start opponent's clock, forfeit occurs when all opponent's time of first control is used up, as measured by Director's official time. Post a no-show win as 1F-0F, not 1-0. The "F" is important, as players who forfeit are not paired for the next round.
  10. If both players arrive late, first to come should split elapsed time. If this is not done, times stand unless adjusted by Director.
  11. If you are have a minus or zero score and are a half hour late, your name may be crossed off the pairings in order to allow two players without opponents to play each other. If you then arrive within the hour, you will get either another opponent or a full point bye.
  12. (For regular time controls) To win on time, you must have no more than two move pairs omitted when opponent's flag falls. Do not fill in moves after that; this may void the claim. Score need not be accurate, just decipherable. (For sudden death time controls) Score is not needed to win on time.
  13. To win on time, you must have sufficient material to mate, moving for both sides. EXCEPTIONS: You cannot win on time with a lone Bishop, lone Knight, or two lone Knights (except for 2 N vs pawn ending), unless there is a forced win.
  14. You must stop both clocks with flag still up to win on time. (For regular time controls) If both flags are down, no one forfeits; the game continues with the next time control in effect. (For sudden death time controls) If both flags are down, the game is drawn.
  15. If you neglect to stop both clocks for a claim, this is disadvantageous as you lose time, but it does not invalidate your claim.
  16. If either player has less than five minutes remaining, neither is required to keep score.
  17. (For sudden death time controls) If on move with under 2 minutes left on your clock, you may stop clocks and claim a draw by insufficient losing chances. This is much different than "book draw," requiring a position in which a Class C player has a 90% or more chance to at least draw a Master, with ample time for both. You can draw with Q vs. Q, R vs. R, many opposite-colored bishop endings, etc. But a position like rook & pawn each, while "drawn" in theory, might allow a Master to swindle a C player, so your claim may be denied. The ratings and clock times of you and your opponent are irrelevant. If your claim is denied, half your time will be deducted.
  18. If your flag is down, it is too late to claim insufficient losing chances.
  19. (For sudden death time controls) For a “no losing chances” ruling, on a close call, the TD may insert a time-delay clock, in which case claimant receives half his remaining time (with a maximum of 1 minute), opponent all his time, and both get an extra 5 seconds per move (which is defined as sufficient to hold a position with insufficient losing chances). Note: no one may “claim” a time delay clock - this clock is only one of the Director options for resolving “no losing chances” claims.
  20. In case of a problem, stop clocks and see Director. If Director feels clocks were stopped without good reason, a penalty is possible. If you don't see a TD in tournament room, go to Director's Room or office area and wait patiently!
  21. Don't touch clock when it's not your move, pick up clock unless defective, or bang clock. You may be penalized, at Director's discretion.
  22. If you make an illegal move and press the clock, 2 minutes are added to opponent's time. Touch-move also applies.
  23. Touch-move rule is used. In castling, it is proper to touch the King first, but there is no penalty for touching the Rook first.
  24. It must be your move to claim triple occurrence of position. Don't move, or it will be opponent's move and you cannot claim. State move, claim, and stop clocks. If opponent disagrees, see Director. If claim is denied, 2 minutes are added to opponent's remaining time.
  25. To claim a 3-time repetition of the position or the 50-move rule, the scoresheet need not be complete, but it must be adequate to verify claim, and moves filled in after the claim don't count. In sudden death time controls, the TD’s observations may also be used.
  26. No smoking allowed in tournament rooms, pairings/charts areas, skittles room, or adjacent hallways.
  27. All players, including Grandmasters, must promptly post their results on the pairing sheet. Failure to do so can result in a double forfeit!
  28. Black has the choice of equipment, provided that he has standard equipment – otherwise, the Director will rule in favor of the equipment more commonly used. If Black is late and White has already set up, then White obtains this choice.
  29. (For regular time controls) If you make the last move of the time control with your flag up, but it falls when you hit the clock, you forfeit. It doesn't matter if flag falls before or after you hit clock – it's always a forfeit. That's what the flag is for – to prove you didn't hit the clock in time.
  30. If you drop out, or won’t play the next round, notify the director at least an hour before the round is scheduled to begin! If you can't do this in person, call the chess club at (510) 845-1041. Try to avoid leaving message on your phone; it may not reach us in time. If we don’t get your message (either in person or on the answering machine), a $10 fine for violators will be assessed, which must be paid to enter another EBCC tournament.
  31. It is improper to abandon a lost game without resigning. Violators may be penalized at TD's discretion.
  32. It is illegal to "throw" a game, or to agree to split a prize. Players offering or accepting deals to throw games may be forfeited, kicked out of the tournament, banned from the EBCC, and/or reported to the USCF. During last round games affecting prizes, it is illegal to engage in discussion with your opponent away from the board, unless a draw is subsequently agreed. Even if no one hears what is said, the game may be ruled a draw.
  33. Cellphones will not be tolerated in the playing hall. If your cellphone rings in the tournament room during play, you lose 10 minutes or half your remaining time, whichever is less. For a second offense in the same tournament, you forfeit your game.
  34. Despite their best efforts, TDs cannot watch all games at all times.
  35. Individual TD decisions can be appealed to the EBCC Board of Directors – their decision is final. Excessive and/or frivolous appeals will result in the loss of said privilege.
  36. We reserve the right to refuse service or entry.



Questions or Comments about the website? Contact webmaster@eastbaychess.com

Home    News    Schedule    Services    Tournaments    About Us    Contact Us    Club Pics    Links    Tutoring