Tournament 5 Rules/Format

Winter 2004 real-time Pente Championship (Pente.org Tournament #5)
Two sections beginning January, 2004

Table of Contents
Section A
   Eligibility requirements

Section B
   Eligibility requirements

General
   Format and pairings
   Pairings for regular rounds
   Matches and time controls for regular rounds
   Pairings for playoffs
   Matches and time controls for playoffs

   Match and pairings issues (both sections)
   Rules and information (both sections)
   Tournament tips


Section A (Swiss System)
Director: Mark Mammel (I.D. mmammel)
Co-director: Joe King (I.D. joeking)

Eligibility requirements:
Players will be placed into section A if they are rated at least 1600 at Pente.org or if they do not meet the other eligibility requirements for section B. Optional: If a player wishes to play in section A regardless of their rating, they may do so at sign-up time.

Section B rules (Swiss system)
Director: Gary Barnes (I.D. progambler)
Co-director: Joe King (I.D. joeking)

Eligibility requirements:
Players will be placed into section B if they are currently rated less than 1600 at Pente.org and have completed at least 20 rated games vs. at least 3 different opponents at Pente.org AND have never had an established rating of 1750 or higher. Format and pairings:
  1. Swiss system format. All players play matches in all rounds. The # of rounds is determined by the # of players. Less than 16 players, 4 rounds, 16-31 players, 5 rounds, 32-63 players, 6 rounds, 64 or greater players, 7 rounds.
  2. After the rounds have been played, the top 4 (if 4-5 rounds) or 8 (if 6-7 rounds) players with the most total tournament GAMES won advance to a single elimination playoff. The winner of the playoffs is the section champion.
Pairings for regular rounds:
  1. The pairings in round 1 are random. Wins by all players in their matches are noted.
  2. After round 1, in each round, players are placed (sorted) by total wins in the tournament. The wins by all of each player�s opponents are also tracked. For players who are tied on total wins, the tiebreaker will be the total tournament wins by all of their opponents to date. If the total of the opponent�s wins is also tied, the tied players will be placed randomly amongst themselves.
  3. Pairings after round 1 are from the places established in number 2 and will be #1 vs. #2, #3 vs. #4, #5 vs. #6, etc. Otherwise stated, players always play someone who has the same or a similar # of total wins. A running total continues to be kept of total wins by each player for re-placing in each subsequent round.
  4. Vacation time is allowed. If requested in advance of the start of the tournament, a player may receive a bye in any ONE round except the FINAL round. This would be considered a HALF-bye so the player will receive 2 wins, 2 losses.
  5. If there are an odd # of players available for play in the round, then the lowest placed player who has NOT already received a bye will receive a bye. This would be considered a FULL-bye, so the player will receive 4 wins, 0 losses.
Matches and time controls for regular rounds:
  1. A match consists of 4 games, each player moving first in 2 games. No additional games need to be played, even if the match results in a 2-2 tie. The wins for each player are simply added to his/her running tournament total.
  2. All 4 games should be completed in one sitting in order to avoid coordination issues. If the players wish, they can play 2 games one day and 2 games another day, but that is not encouraged. No provisions are made for unusual situations in the regular rounds. If players have difficulty in coordinating suitable playing times either to begin their match or to continue a match, see number 1 under General match and pairings issues.
  3. Section A
    The time limit for each game will be 30 minutes/player, 5 seconds incremental time.
    Section B
    The time limit for each game will be 20 minutes/player, 0 seconds incremental time. This is the site default time, so you will NOT need to change that.
Pairings for playoffs:
  1. After the regular rounds are complete, the top 4 (if 4-5 rounds) or top 8 (if 6-7 rounds) players from each section will advance to a single elimination playoff. The players in the playoffs will be seeded in order of their total wins, so all ties amongst the top players will be broken, as follows:
    1. 1st tiebreaker - Total tournament wins by all opponents, as done for pairings in the regular rounds.
    2. 2nd tiebreaker - Total forfeit points, as follows:
      1. If any opponent of the tied player forfeited a match to a player other then the tied player, the tied player�s opponent received 0 wins and hence put the tied player at a slight disadvantage on the 1st tiebreaker. PLUS 1 forfeit point for each opponent that forfeited to someone else.
      2. If any opponent forfeited a match to the tied player, the tied player received a slight advantage in total tournament wins MINUS 2 forfeit points for each opponent that forfeited to him in the last round. MINUS 1 forfeit point for each opponent that forfeited to him before the last round.
    3. Final tiebreaker - preliminary playoff. If 2 players are still tied after all tiebreakers have been applied, a playoff match will be contested to determine the seed of the players or who advances to the playoffs. The format of the match would be the same as the single elimination playoff match format shown below. In the extremely rare situation that 3 or more players are still tied after all tiebreakers have been applied, the section director will make a decision based on the situation that will be as fair as possible to the most players, since it�s not possible to cover all scenarios.
  2. The pairings for the playoff rounds will be the highest remaining seed vs. the lowest remaining seed, the 2nd highest vs. 2nd lowest, etc.
Matches and time controls for playoffs:
  1. A match consists of one or more 2-game sets. Sets consist of 2 games, each player moving first in one game. The winner of the match is the first player to win both games of a set. In other words, the winner is the first player to lead the match by 2 games, i.e. 2-0, 3-1, etc. The winner advances to the next playoff round, the loser is eliminated. Playoffs continue until 1 player remains.
  2. For match coordination issues, see nos. 1-3 under General match and pairings issues.
  3. The time limit for each game will be the same as the regular rounds,.
  4. If 6 games (3 sets) have been played and the match is still tied, if BOTH players agree, the time control can remain unchanged. But if ONE player wishes OR if the players feel there will be a problem in completing their match within the time period for the round, the following reduced time controls will be applied:
    1. 4th set (games 7-8), 15 minutes.
    2. 5th set+ (games 9+), 10 minutes.
    IMPORTANT: For reduced time controls, you will need to change the site default time of 20 minutes.
  5. The time period to complete matches for the playoff rounds will be the same as for regular rounds. Because of the requirement that a match be won by 2 games, if a match is still tied after 6 sets (12 games), the section director may allow an extension of one week to the round. In order for the extension to be granted, at least one player must immediately E-mail the section director and copy in his opponent after the last game has been completed. The following conditions must also apply:
    1. The last game of the match was completed in the last 3 days of the time period.
    2. The players cannot agree on a time to complete their match.
    3. Both players have made every effort to break the tie. The section director may request that the players forward all E-mails related to the coordination of playing time, in order to prove that every effort has been made.
Match and Pairings Issues
  1. Players must arrange with their opponents a time to meet and play their matches. A player who is not able to meet at any time during the time period for the round will forfeit. If a suitable playing time cannot be agreed upon by the beginning of the match, at least one of the players should E-mail the section director and copy in his opponent. The director will assign two different times and days for the match to be held. If the players can't agree to either, he will assign one time. Either player not able to make that time will forfeit.
  2. For playoff elimination matches that must be won by 2 games, if 2 sets (4 games) have been played all in one sitting and they are both tied, the completion of the match may be adjourned until another day, but ONLY if BOTH players wish to do so. If a player (player A) cannot continue even though the other (player B) wishes to do so, then the following will apply:
    1. If it is the last 2 days of the time period for the round, player A will automatically forfeit unless the players can find a suitable time that is still within the time period, either later that day or the next day, to finish their match. Player B is not obligated to continue the match, but can do so if he wishes.
    2. If it is before the last 2 days of the time period for the round, player A can avoid a forfeit ONLY if he agrees to a time that is most convenient for player B to continue the match within the time period. Player B should request 2 reasonable times at least 18 hours apart that are most convenient for him. Player A must accept one of them or forfeit the match.
    3. In order to claim that player A should forfeit the match, player B should immediately E-mail the section director and copy player A in on it. Failure to do this will result in a double forfeit. In situation 2.2, if player A feels that player B is requesting un-reasonable playing times [such as 3AM in his locale], he can dispute the forfeit and the director will ask player B to give more reasonable playing times.
  3. For playoff elimination matches that must be won by 2 games, if at least 3 sets (6 games) have been played all in one sitting and they are all tied, the completion of the match may be adjourned until another day if there is time and at least ONE player wishes to do so. The following will apply:
    1. If only one player (player A) wishes to adjourn AND it is the last 2 days of the time period for the round, he could potentially forfeit the match. Rules 2.1 and 2.3 above will apply.
    2. If BOTH players wish to adjourn AND it is the last 2 days of the time period for the round, the players must come up with a suitable time that is still within the time period, either later that day or the next day. If the players cannot agree on a time, then BOTH players will forfeit.
    3. If it is before the last 2 days of the time period for the round, there is no penalty for player A requesting an adjournment when player B did not want to. Unless the time frame is tight, no one will be obligated to play more than 6 games in one sitting, but can do so if they wish. Like starting a round, the players should agree on a time to continue their match. If they can�t agree on a time, see number 1 under General match and pairings issues.
General rules and information (both sections)
  1. The directors will place players into the appropriate sections as specified in the rules above. All player�s ratings are taken at a specific time before the tournament starts as determined by the directors. The ratings collected at that time are what will be used to determine which section that players will play in and how players will be seeded in section A.
  2. If a player wishes to play in section B and his rating qualifies him to do so, he must have completed at least 20 rated games vs. at least 3 different opponents at Pente.org.
  3. The tournament directors and co-directors will be playing in the tournament. If there is a dispute with one of the directors, it should be sent to the corresponding section co-director. If there is a dispute with one of the co-directors, it should be sent to the corresponding section director.
  4. Rounds will start every 2 weeks. The time period to play matches in each round will be about 10-11 days, starting on a Thursday or Friday and ending on a Monday. During the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and potentially at other times at the discretion of the directors, the time period will be extended by one week.
  5. A break for the players between games of a match of 5-10 minutes is suggested as a guideline. Players can negotiate this between themselves but should not pressure their opponents to start the next game immediately if they are not ready.
  6. All games should be played as rated games and the time controls should be changed if necessary as specified in the rules. If a game has already started and it is discovered that the game was started with the incorrect time controls, the following guidelines are suggested but not required:
    1. If 7 or less moves have been played and if both players agree, the game can be cancelled and the time controls corrected. The new game can be started over from the beginning or it can be replayed to the position when the error was discovered.
    2. If more than 7 moves have been played, the game should continue in order to prevent matches from taking too long.
  7. If Pente.org site is down or not available for play at any time, the time period for the round may be extended. The following will apply:
    1. If the site is unavailable for less than 6 hours, no extension will occur.
    2. If the site is unavailable for at least 6 but less than 30 hours AND it is not available for at least 3 of the hours between 6 PM and midnight Eastern Time U.S., then a 1-day extension (Tuesday) will occur. This will make for a tight time frame before the next round, so players are requested to still complete their matches by Monday, if possible.
    3. If the site is unavailable for 30 or more hours, then the time period for the round will be extended by one week.
  8. If a player is bumped off of Pente.org while playing, the site will automatically give him 7 minutes to return. If he does not return within 7 minutes, the site will automatically give his opponent the option of canceling the game or forcing a forfeit. If his opponent wishes to continue waiting, he should NOT choose either option. If the player returns, then the options will automatically go away and the game will resume. It is completely at the discretion of his opponent what action that he wants to take. If it is an isolated occurrence, it is suggested that players be sporting and continue to wait for a few more minutes. But if it is an ongoing problem in the match or if the player does not return within 10 minutes or more, forcing a forfeit is appropriate in order to prevent abuse of this allowance.
  9. No player may enter the tournament under two or more user ID's.
  10. If a player has more than one user IDs (a normal name and a speed name for example) the player should play with the non-speed name that has the most games played.
  11. No assistance from any other person, computer software, notes, books, game transcripts, or databases is permitted.
  12. Players are not allowed to move pieces (stones) around on any physical or computer-based Pente board in order to determine their moves. If a player has difficulty in seeing the stones on the Pente.org board, he may keep the game position on any other board of his choosing while the game is progressing, but must not vary the position from the actual game position in order to determine possible outcomes of moves.
  13. The use of the UNDO request is permitted, but an opponent is NOT obligated to ACCEPT the request, regardless of how ridiculous the placement of the stone is. In a tournament, accidentally dropping a stone is like taking a hand off after a move while playing in person. The opponent can ALLOW the player to take back the move, but is not obligated to do so.
  14. At the completion of a MATCH, the winner of the match should E-mail the section director and copy in his opponent with the following: the game score (i.e. 2-0, 3-1, 2-2, etc.), the player�s names, and the date(s) played. As an extra precaution against disputes, at the completion of each GAME, a player may press the �Email history� button. This will automatically send the moves of a game to his E-mail address.
  15. All disputes must be brought to the attention of the section director immediately.
  16. Any player showing poor conduct or sportsmanship can be removed from the tournament at the discretion of the director(s) and/or co-director.
  17. Anyone is allowed to watch games in progress. Comments should be avoided at the table where a tournament game is being played. The following will apply:
    1. If a person who is watching a game isn�t sure if it is a tournament game, he can ask the players.
    2. If a person who is watching makes general conversion, the players should politely state �quite please, tournament game�. If the person isn�t aware of the rule, refer him to the tournament rules.
    3. In between games of a match, anyone can make general conversion or sporting comments about the game. However once the next game starts, talking should cease once again.
    4. See number 16 if someone refuses to refrain from comments during the game. If the player isn�t in the tournament, then other action will be taken.
General tournament tips
  1. Allow at least 3 hours of time for matches. It is not possible to know in advance how much time that games will last or how many games that a match will last. Games could last about one hour (section A) or 40 minutes (section B) each if both players use most of their time.
  2. Before a match begins, players should inform family members and friends that they will be playing a tournament match and if possible, can�t be disturbed. A 5-10 minute break time is suggested and allowed between games. (See number 5 under General rules.)
  3. It is recommended that players play at a table that is completely empty of players before beginning their match. The reason for this is that the player who arrives at a table first before any other players will be �owner� of that table. Only the owner of a table can change the rated status or time controls of the table if needed as specified in the rules (section A only). If ANY other person is at the table first, even if it is one who is only there to watch and is not currently playing, the players who are set to play their match will not be able to change the rated status or time controls of the game until that person leaves the table.
  4. If possible, players should not wait until the last 2 days of the 10-11 day time period to play their matches for the following reasons:
    1. Something could come up that prevents one of the players from playing in a match, resulting in a forfeit.
    2. The site could experience problems making it difficult to play or complete a match. (See number 7 under General rules.)
    3. If the games go longer than expected, one of the players could end up with not enough time to continue that day and/or one of them may not be available to complete the match on a different day within the allotted time period. This would result in a forfeit for one or both players. (See specifics under general match and pairings issues.)
  5. When coordinating a playing time with an opponent, players should indicate what time zone that they are in. Players from different countries may want to express times in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
  6. Always keep all correspondence regarding the coordination of playing time with opponents until the end of each round. This may be needed in case of disputes or unusual situations, which are covered above.