CONTINENTAL
CHESS ELECTRONIC DEVICE RULES
Updated effective 11/1/19
These rules
apply to all regular rated or dual rated tournaments.
Major
changes since March 2019 are as follows:
A) The minimum penalty for a violation is now loss of 30 minutes or half of
remaining time, whichever is less.
B) A player who possesses or views a cellphone in a bathroom, or outside the
playing area (tournament room, skittles, vendor, lecture room or
adjacent foyer or hallway) loses the game. Other illegal devices besides
cellphones in these areas
also warrant this penalty, but TD can impose of a lesser penalty if
believing the player was unaware the device was illegal.
C) Use of the scorekeeping device ChessNoteR is not permitted, effective Dec 1,
2019.
1. Players may not possess or view, while playing, devices (cellphones or other electronic devices capable of chess analysis or communication), without permission of a Director. Devices may be stored in a bag or case that must remain at the playing table and not be opened or carried during play. See rule 11 for penalties.
2. During play, stored devices must be out of sight in a bag or case and turned off (no vibrate, silent or sleep mode).
3. Music players, which cannot communicate or operate software, will
usually be
allowed if opponent does not object, however see rule 5, special events.
The use of a computer or phone to play music is prohibited, even if disabled so it can
only play music.
4.
A player who possesses or views a cellphone in a bathroom, or outside the
tournament area, loses the game. Other illegal devices besides
cellphones in these areas also warrant this penalty, except the TD has the
option of a rule 11 penalty if
believing the player was unaware the device was illegal. See rule 6 for
definition of tournament area. Spectators are also not
allowed to possess or view devices in bathrooms. Players whose games have
finished are considered spectators, and may be
penalized through loss of time in the next round.
5.
Special events: At tournaments with at least $20,000 in guaranteed prizes, and
for all FIDE rated games, the following additional rule is in effect: Music
players are not allowed if either player has an 80% or higher score in round 3
or after, even if the opponent does not object.
6. Players may not leave the tournament area, or go to a different floor of
the hotel if the tournament uses multiple floors, during play without
Director's permission. The tournament area consists of the tournament room(s),
skittles room(s), vendor room, lecture room, and adjacent bathrooms or foyers.
7. A
player who wishes to make a call during play should see a director and request
permission to call.
8. A
player who anticipates possibly receiving an emergency call should notify a
director at least an hour in advance, and will provided with an alternate
procedure.
9. If
a player’s cellphone rings in the tournament room while games are in progress,
there is a penalty (see rule 11). However, the player does not
automatically forfeit, even if the event is FIDE rated, as FIDE rules no longer
require this. If an offending player’s game is over when the
cellphone rings, the penalty shall apply to the following round.
10. A
player who simultaneously violates more than one rule may obtain only
one penalty.
11.
The penalty for violating rules 1, 2, 6 or 9 is one of the following:
A. The player loses the game.
B. The player loses 30 minutes or 50% of
remaining time, whichever is less.
C. If no more than 5 moves have been played,
the offender may receive a warning rather than a penalty.
The director will determine the penalty,
taking into consideration the details of the offense, the scores of the
players, and the size of the prize fund. If there is sufficient
evidence of cheating, the player will be forfeited regardless of score or prize
fund, and may also be ejected from the tournament, barred from future
tournaments, and/or reported to USCF for possible revocation of membership.
12. Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by a
Director. Refusal to cooperate with a search request warrants forfeiture of
game and ejection from the tournament, with no refund. Cellphone detecting
wands may be used to check players entering, exiting or inside bathrooms or
anywhere else in or near the tournament area.
13. A
player whose performance rating far exceeds his or her rating may be assigned
to a spectator free room, at the Director's discretion. No evidence of cheating
is needed for the Director to make such an assignment.
14. Electronic scoresheets are usually permitted if approved by USCF or FIDE.
15. Exceptions. To
request an exception, contact DirectorAtChess.us (use @ for At) at least two
weeks before the tournament and attach supporting documentation.
Chesstour.com
ChessEvents.us (chesstour.com
tournament calendar)
ChessHistory