Tom Brewer Lightning Championship

# SHEPPARTON CHESS CLUB BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP
## Tournament Rules & Procedures

**Welcome to our annual Blitz Championship!**

**Please note:** Due to the casual nature of attendance at our club and the likelihood of late arrivals, this may result in unusual rounds and pairings later in the day. We embrace this flexibility as part of our inclusive approach.

**Even if you know you cannot commit to staying the full day or tournament, you are still most welcome to participate** - you'll simply be subject to our scoring policy for incomplete participation.

Before we begin, the Tournament Director will clearly outline the rules and expectations for this event.

### TOURNAMENT FORMAT
- **Double round-robin over two Saturdays**
- Week 1: Everyone plays each other once
- Week 2: Same pairings with colors reversed
- **Time:** 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM both Saturdays

### QUALIFYING FOR NORMAL SCORING
**To avoid forfeit penalties, you must:**
- Be present from 2:00 PM and remain until 5:00 PM, OR
- Be present from 2:00 PM and remain until you have played everyone (whichever comes first)

**Late arrivals (after 2:00 PM) or early departures will be subject to the forfeit scoring policy below.**

### SPECIAL TOURNAMENT RULES
**Rule Hierarchy:** Tournament-specific rules override club rules, which override FIDE rules.

**Key Special Rules:**
1. **Move completion:** A move, including checkmate, is not complete until the clock is pressed
2. **Illegal Moves:** Result in immediate game loss, unless your opponent makes their next move before the illegal move is identified. You can only claim an illegal move victory on your own turn. If multiple illegal moves are made in sequence, the player who made the FIRST illegal move loses, provided the position is still illegal when discovered. Once a legal position is restored and play continues, the opportunity to claim a forfeit is waived.
3. **Touch Piece Rule:** Does NOT apply - you may touch pieces without being required to move them

### INCOMPLETE PARTICIPATION POLICY
**If you do not complete a full day's play:**
- All your games that day become forfeit losses, EXCEPT games you actually lost (which remain as regular losses)
- Your opponents keep their earned results against you unchanged
- Any completed day's results stand as played

**Example:** If you won 2 games and lost 1 on Saturday before leaving early, those 2 wins become forfeit losses. You end up with 3 losses for Saturday. Your opponents keep their results.

### STANDINGS & TIEBREAKERS
- **Primary ranking:** Total points from all games (including forfeit losses)
- **Tiebreaker:** Points earned from actual completed games only (forfeit results excluded)

### PRIZES AND RECOGNITION
**Tournament winner(s) will be recognized at our presentation ceremony on the third Saturday in December with a trophy.**

### DISPUTES AND ISSUES
**For any disputes, rule questions, or issues during play:**
- Pause the clock immediately
- Call the Tournament Director (arbiter)
- Do not continue play until the issue is resolved

### TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR AUTHORITY
The Tournament Director shall have final authority on all rulings and interpretations of these rules during play.

---

**Questions about these rules before we begin?**

*Let's have a great tournament and may the best player win!*