♟️ **MESSY NEST CO.

OTTAWA CHESS TOURNAMENT RULEBOOK**
 (Unrated, Swiss-System, Staggered Rounds)

1. EVENT OVERVIEW

Welcome to the Messy Nest Co. Ottawa Chess Tournament!
 This is an unrated, 3-round Swiss tournament for each group (A and B), followed by a Championship Playoff between the winners of each group.

Key Highlights

  • 10 chess sets, staggered rounds

  • Up to 40 players

  • Two groups: Group A (early rounds) and Group B (later rounds)

  • 3 Swiss rounds per group

  • Championship playoff determines the overall winner

  • 1st Prize: Handmade Messy Nest Co. Tournament Chess Set ($600 value)

  • 2nd Prize: $100 Cash Prize

2. TOURNAMENT FORMAT

2.1 Swiss System (Unrated)

Each group (A and B) plays 3 rounds of Swiss:

  • Players are paired each round with opponents who have similar scores

  • No elimination — all players play all rounds

  • Wins = 1 point, Draws = 0.5, Losses = 0

2.2 Groups

  • Players may choose Group A or Group B during registration, or be assigned

  • Groups run on staggered schedules due to limited boards

  • Group winners advance to the playoff

2.3 Championship Playoff

  • Winner of Group A plays Winner of Group B

  • Time control: G/10 + 5s increment

  • Winner becomes Tournament Champion

  • In case of a draw, a second playoff game is played with reversed colors

  • If still tied, a final Armageddon game will be used
     • White gets 6 minutes
     • Black gets 5 minutes
     • Black has draw odds (a draw = Black wins)


3. TIME CONTROL

Main Rounds (Groups A & B):

G/20 + 5s increment

  • Each player has 20 minutes + 5 seconds added after each move

  • Maximum round length: ~45 minutes

Playoff Round:

G/10 + 5s

4. TOURNAMENT RULES

4.1 Touch-Move Rule

This tournament uses standard touch-move rules:

  • If a player touches one of their own pieces, they must move it (if legal).

  • If a player touches an opponent’s piece, they must capture it (if legal).

  • Adjustments must be announced before touching the piece:
     “J’adoube” or “Adjusting.”

4.2 Illegal Moves

  • Making an illegal move results in a time penalty of +2 minutes to the opponent

  • A second illegal move in the same game = automatic loss

  • Illegal moves must be called before the opponent makes their next move

4.3 Check & Checkmate

  • Players are not required to announce check

  • Checkmate ends the game immediately

  • Stalemate = draw


4.4 Clocks

  • Players must press their clock with the same hand they made their move

  • If a clock malfunctions, call a Tournament Director (TD) immediately

  • If a player runs out of time, they lose unless the opponent has insufficient mating material (result = draw)

Insufficient mating material includes:

  • Lone King

  • King + Bishop vs King

  • King + Knight vs King

  • King + two Knights vs King (still insufficient)

4.5 Draws

The following are allowed:

  • Agreement between players

  • Threefold repetition

  • 50-move rule

  • Stalemate

  • Insufficient material

  • Mutual impossibility to checkmate

Players may not request a draw before 20 moves unless the position is clearly drawn.

 

5. PLAYER CONDUCT

5.1 Sportsmanship

All players must:

  • Treat opponents respectfully

  • Maintain a quiet playing environment

  • Refrain from distracting behavior

  • Not use analysis apps during the event

  • Not use external assistance (players = disqualified if caught)

5.2 Electronics

  • Phones must be silenced

  • If a player’s phone rings during a game → warning

  • A second offense → loss of that round

5.3 Spectators

  • Spectators must remain silent

  • No commenting on ongoing games

  • No pointing out illegal moves or checkmate

6. PAIRINGS & SCORING

6.1 Pairings

Pairings are handled using Swiss pairing logic:

  • Round 1: estimated skill level

  • Rounds 2–3: based on score groups

  • No player receives the same opponent twice

  • Color assignments are balanced when possible

6.2 Scoring System

  • Win = 1 point

  • Draw = ½ point

  • Loss = 0 points

6.3 Tie-Breaks (for determining group winners)

If multiple players are tied for first in a group, the tiebreak order is:

  1. Head-to-head result

  2. Buchholz score (opponents’ total scores)

  3. Median Buchholz

  4. Sonnenborn-Berger

  5. Armageddon playoff game if needed

 7. LATE ARRIVALS & NO SHOWS

7.1 Late Arrival

  • If a player is late by more than 10 minutes, they forfeit that game

  • They may continue in future rounds

7.2 No Show

  • Missing two rounds = disqualification from the tournament

  • Fees are not refunded

8. CHESS SET & EQUIPMENT RULES

  • All players must use tournament-provided boards and clocks

  • No personal boards during main rounds (they cause inconsistencies)

  • Players should keep captured pieces neat and visible

  • If a piece breaks or becomes unrecognizable → TD replaces it immediately

9. APPEALS & ARBITRATION

If a dispute arises:

  1. Pause the clock

  2. Raise your hand for a Tournament Director

  3. Directors’ decisions are final

This keeps the event moving and maintains fairness.

10. AWARDS

Overall Tournament Champion (Playoff Winner)

Handmade Messy Nest Co. Tournament Chess Set ($600 value)

Runner-Up

 $100 Cash Prize

11. EVENT ETIQUETTE

This is a friendly community event — players are encouraged to:

  • Shake hands before and after games

  • Help create an environment where beginners feel welcomed

  • Respect the venue, volunteers, and equipment

12. CONTACT & EMERGENCY INFO

Tournament Director: Gabriel Noland
 Assistant Director: Michaela Byers
 Organizer: Messy Nest Co.
 Email: messynestco@gmail.com