Tournament Policies

All Boylston Chess Club Tournaments

Wheelchair accessible, no smoking, no computers

USCF membership required for all tournaments except blitz tournaments

Please bring chess clocks – Boards, sets, some clocks provided

Directions to the site

Byes

A maximum of two half point (½) byes are allowed in a four round Swiss tournament, one half point bye in a three round Swiss tournament. In tournaments of six or more rounds, three half point byes are allowed.

If the bye is for the last round, it must be declared before the start of round two.

Half point byes may not be requested after a player receives a full point bye.

Zero point byes are allowed in all Swiss tournaments for any round. Please inform the Tournament Director at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the round.

Withdrawing

Players must inform the Tournament Director if they intent to withdraw from the tournament. Players may let the TD know ahead of time in person or by emailing the club at least half an hour before the round (info@boylstonchess.org).

Re-Entry

Re-Entry is not allowed in BCF tournaments.

Quads

Withdrawing is not allowed from Round Robin quads, forfeit penalties may apply.

Forfeits

Any player who forfeits a game by not showing up, or by withdrawing without letting the Tournament Director know in advance will be fined $25. This player will be withdrawn from the affected event without a refund of their entry fee, and will not be allowed to play in any BCF events until the fine is paid.

Electronic Devices

Players may not use or possess electronic devices (cellphones or other electronic devices capable of chess analysis and/or communication) while playing. Any electronic device belonging to a player must be turned off and placed next to the chessboard or stored in a bag that is left at the table during games.

Spectators may not bring electronic devices into the playing room, and players who have finished their games must leave the playing room before turning electronic devices back on.

For full details, please see the Electronic Device Rules.

Free Entry Coupons

Free entry coupons may not be used in Quads, Octads, or any fundraising events unless otherwise stipulated for the specific event.

Section Limits

Unrated players may play in any section. Rated players rated within 200 points of the lower section maximum may play up one section.

For weeknight tournaments, the winner(s) of a section may play up one section regardless of their rating during the next month.

For eligibility purposes, the higher of a player's supplement and live rating is used.

Sections with fewer than ten players may be combined. If sections are combined, accelerated pairings may be used.

Free Entry for GM's/IM's (and sometimes masters)

Any player holding the title of either Grandmaster or International Master may play in any BCF tournament with no entry fee, and no entry fee will be withheld from any prize he or she wins.

Any club member rated 2300+ may play in any Saturday BCF tournament with no entry fee, but the entry fee will be deducted from any prize he or she wins.

Any club member rated 2200+ may play in the Thursday Night Swiss with no entry fee and no prize deductions.