This exclusive Hybrid Chess Tournament is designed to test your tactical speed and strategic depth across five intense rounds. The competition begins in the digital arena, where players will battle for dominance in fast-paced Online Rapid matches. As the field narrows, the stakes rise, transitioning top contenders to the physical board for the Over-the-Board (OTB) finals, where true Grandmaster pressure comes to life.

1. General Conduct & Fair Play

Zero Tolerance for Cheating: The use of any external assistance is strictly prohibited. This includes chess engines (Stockfish, Komodo, etc.), advice from other players, or minimizing the browser tab during gameplay.

Platform Monitoring: All online games will be subject to the anti-cheating detection systems of the respective platform (Chess.com or Lichess). Any player flagged for Fair Play Violation by the platform will be immediately disqualified.

Sportsmanship: Players are expected to maintain professional conduct. Abusive language in chat or distracting behaviour during OTB games will result in a warning or forfeiture.

2. Technical Requirements (Rounds 1 & 2)

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Participants must bring their own internet-enabled mobile phone or laptop.

Accounts: Players must have a valid, non-banned account on Chess.com and Lichess prior to the event.

Connectivity: A stable internet connection is the player's responsibility. Disconnection resulting in a timeout will be treated as a loss.

3. Format & Pairing

System: Matches will follow the FIDE Swiss System (pairing players with similar scores) or Round Robin (all-play-all), depending on the final number of participants.
Scoring: Standard chess scoring applies:

Win = 1 point
Draw = 0.5 points
Loss = 0 points
Time Control: All rounds will strictly follow a 10 minutes + 0 seconds increment format.

4. Hybrid Phase Regulations (Rounds 3, 4, & 5)

Format Determination: Matches in these rounds are intended to be Over-the-Board (OTB). However, if physical sets or clocks are fully occupied, specific match-ups will revert to the Online Format played on the players' devices.

OTB Rules (If playing physically):

Touch-Move Rule: If a player deliberately touches a piece, they must move it (if a legal move exists).
Clock Usage: Players must hit the clock with the same hand used to move the piece.
Illegal Moves: Two illegal moves completed by a player result in an immediate loss.

Online Rules (If playing digitally):

Mouse Slips: Moves made online are final. Mouse slips cannot be taken back.
Auto-Resignation: Please ensure your device does not auto-resign due to inactivity or minimizing the app.

5. Dispute Resolution
In the event of a dispute (e.g., stall tactics, flagging claims, or disagreement on rules), the Arbiter’s or Coordinator’s decision is final and binding.

Online Rapid Arena (10min + 00sec Increment)

Matches will be conducted following the FIDE Swiss System or Round Robin format, hosted on the chess.com or Lichess platform.

Online Rapid Arena (10min + 00sec Increment)

Matches will be conducted following the FIDE Swiss System or Round Robin format, hosted on the chess.com or Lichess platform.

OTB Rapid Arena (10min + 00sec increment)

Games will be conducted Over the Board, or as online matches on chess.com/Lichess, subject to the availability of chess boards and chess clocks.

OTB Rapid Arena (10min + 00sec increment)

Games will be conducted Over the Board, or as online matches on chess.com/Lichess, subject to the availability of chess boards and chess clocks.

OTB Rapid Arena (10min + 00sec increment)

Games will be conducted Over the Board, or as online matches on chess.com/Lichess, subject to the availability of chess boards and chess clocks.