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Arbiters & Organisers

Commission

ARBITERS’ REGULATIONS

Rules for the management of Arbiters & Tournaments in South Africa

Effective 1 January 2017

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Contents

1. PREFACE

2. QUALIFYING AS AN ARBITER

3. ARBITER GRAND PRIX SYSTEM

4. ARBITER REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

5. SELECTION OF ARBITERS FOR EVENTS

6. LIST OF NATIONAL CAs

7. ARBITERS FOR FOREIGN TOURNAMENTS

8. ARBITER FEES AND REMUNERATION

9. DUTIES OF ARBITERS

10. SELECTION OF BEE AND FEMALE ARBITERS

11. DISCIPLINARY CODE

12. REVIEW OF ARBITERS

13. APPEALS COMMITTEES AT TOURNAMENTS

14. ANNUAL MEETINGS OF ARBITERS

15. FIDE RULES OF CHESS INTERPRETATION

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1 Preface

1.1 The South African Arbiters’ Regulations shall be used in conjunction with the FIDE Laws of Chess as

well as the CHESS SA Ratings Regulations for all nationally rated tournaments. Where the

Tournament is a FIDE Rated tournament the FIDE Tournament Rules shall apply in addition and

where required override these regulations. The following regulations can only be changed by a

meeting of the Arbiters at the annual Junior Chess Championship as stipulated in rule 14 following

recommendation by the Arbiters & Organisers Commission (AOC). Changes can be made twice per

annum – mid-year and start of a new year. Any such changes made will be effective with

immediate effect.

1.2 Where, during a year it becomes clear that a regulation is ambiguous the Arbiters & Organisers

Commission will be allowed to make such changes to the regulations so as to remove any such

ambiguity and to determine a date for implementation of any such changes. For tournaments,

such changes shall apply to those starting on prescribed future date.

1.3 It is the belief of the AOC that the quality of South African chess players will be improved by

improving the quality of the chess tournaments. To achieve this it is necessary to have stronger

and more Arbiters and to hold tournaments that meet certain requirements, not only from a

number of players or average rating perspective, but also with regards to the standards of the hall

and the equipment. For this reason the aim of these regulations are to improve both Arbiters and

tournaments held in South Africa.

2 Qualifying as an Arbiter

ARBITER TITLES

2.1 As it is acknowledged that substantial development needs to be done to improve the standard of Arbiters in South Africa and as the possibility to provide FIDE Arbiter training is limited, South African Arbiters will continue to be either School Supervisor (SS), Tournament Supervisor (TS), Regional Arbiter (RA), Provincial Arbiter (PA) or National Arbiter (NA).

2.2 To become an Arbiter, an exam, set up and run under the auspices of the AOC, needs to be

written and passed. There will be Arbiters’ courses held annually at the SA Open as well as the SA

National Junior Championships. Ad hoc training can be requested from the AOC.

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2.3 The following pass rates are required:

Qualification Combined minimum for both Laws of Chess and Application

of laws

Minimum per each section for Laws of Chess and Application

of laws

Minimum for Tie Break and Pairings

SS 60% 50% -

TS 70% 60% -

RA 80% 70% 70%

The required 80% for Laws of Chess and Application of laws needs to be achieved to have the Tie

Break and Pairings section marked. 70% pass rate is required for this section. If that is achieved,

the student becomes a RA (Regional arbiter).

2.4 After each exam the results of those candidates who passed and at what level will be published on

the CHESS SA (AOC) website.

NORMS FOR ARBITER TITLES

2.5 After an arbiter has passed their exam, they will have to acquire three additional PA norms at

rated events. These events may be regional, provincial or national events. Each norm needs to be

submitted together with the other documentation as stipulated in Rule 4.

2.6 A Chief Arbiter (CA) of a qualifying tournament MAY award a norm to a candidate Arbiter by

completing an “Award Norm” online form. The candidate Arbiter should demonstrate the

necessary skill, knowledge & expertise to act as an Arbiter. Where a CA refuses to provide a norm,

written reasons for such refusal must be provided. The original form must be handed to the

candidate and a copy of this form must be sent to the AOC within 30 days from the date on which

the tournament was completed, who will keep a record of all norms awarded. Failure to provide

the AOC with the form will negate the norm. Norms must be submitted online.

2.7 As stipulated in rule 2.6 only the CA of a tournament can provide a norm and for purposes of a NA

norm, such Arbiter must be a qualified NA, FA or IA. For purposes of a PA norm at least one of the

three norms must be signed by a NA, FA or IA.

2.8 The CA for the tournament must complete the official Tournament Report (AOC-05), provide this

to each Arbiter achieving a Norm, and submit this to the AOC. The Candidate NA/PA must

complete a report on the tournament, and include this to the Norm report. Together they form a

completed Norm.

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2.9 The norms must be received from at least two different Chief Arbiters. After the submitting the

the three PA norms, the RA will apply to the AOC for registration as a PA. The name of the RA, the

date of the exam he passed as well as the dates and names of the tournaments where he

achieved his norms together with the name of the Chief Arbiter of those events will be published

on the CHESS SA website.

2.10 To become a NA, a PA will need to achieve 4 norms at National events. The norms must be

received from at least two different Chief Arbiters. After the submission of the four norms the PA

will apply to the AOC for registration as a NA. The name of the PA as well as the dates and names

of the tournaments where he achieved his norms together with the name of the Chief Arbiter of

those events will be published on the CHESS SA website.

2.11 A norm can only be received for the next level. Thus if an arbiter is a PA, they can only get a NA

norm.

2.12 Whereas FIDE only caters for one level of National Arbiters for purposes of registration with FIDE,

both PA’s and NA’s will be able to register with FIDE as National Arbiters.

2.13 There is a minimum waiting period of 14 days after the date that the RA exam is written before

any norms can be awarded, even if the candidate has been an arbiter at a tournament. After this

time, should a candidate be an arbiter at a tournament he can get a PA norm provided the person

has passed the exam at an RA level and the both the CA and the RA arbiter of the tournament has

completed the necessary forms. This will only happen when there is a delay in the marking of the

exams beyond 14 days.

TOURNAMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR NORMS PURPOSES

2.14 The following tournaments will qualify for Provincial Arbiter norms:

Format Level of Event Certificates

(Norms) Rating Time Control Tournament duration

Swiss National Unlimited 1 Player >= 1800

Minimum 60:60 Minimum of two days and

six rounds

Swiss Provincial 1 for each full

50 players

Any Minimum 60:60 Minimum of five rounds

Swiss

Regional

1 for each full

50 players

Any Minimum 60:60 Minimum of five rounds

Round Robin

Regional

1 for each full

10 players

Any Minimum 60:60 Minimum of five rounds

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2.15 All National Events listed under Rule 3.2 will qualify for National Arbiter norms.

MINUMUM AGE FOR ARBITERS

2.16 In order to write the Arbiter’s exam a candidate must be 15 or older. In addition, there are

minimum age requirements for officiating at certain events or for being Chief Arbiter. These are:

2.16.1 For Local, Club, Private or Regional Tournaments, Arbiters will be required to be 15 or

older and the Chief Arbiter to be 18 or older on the date the tournament starts.

2.16.2 For Provincial tournaments, Arbiters will be required to be 16 or older and the Chief

Arbiter to be 18 or older on the date the tournament starts.

2.16.3 For National Tournaments Arbiters will be required to be 18 or older and the Chief

Arbiter to be 21 or older on the date the tournament starts.

LICENSING FEES FOR ARBITERS

2.17 In December of each year, an Arbiter’s licence fee for the following year will be determined. In

order for a tournament (event) to be rated, all arbiters officiating at such tournaments (events)

must have paid their full licence fee for the current year before the start of that tournament. If a

tournament has started without one of the Arbiters being licensed:

2.17.1 the tournament (event) will not be rated,

2.17.2 all norms awarded will be declared null and void, and

2.17.3 no arbiter will receive AGPX points.

3 Arbiter Grand Prix System

INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION

3.1 The aim of the Arbiter Grand Prix System (AGPX) is to create an objective system for ranking

Arbiters based on their activities, experience and qualifications with the aim of selecting or

appointing Arbiters for certain National Events or for official FIDE events outside (or inside) the

borders of South Africa to which FIDE has extended an invitation to CHESS SA to nominate South

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African Arbiters. It is therefore not applicable to Arbiters who have received a direct invitation or

appointment by FIDE for specific FIDE rated events.

3.2 Without limiting the aforementioned, the AGPX will be used to appoint Arbiters for the following

National events:

3.2.1 South African Closed (Open, Women and Senior).

3.2.2 South African Junior Closed.

3.2.3 South African Junior National Team Championships.

3.2.4 South African Junior Wild Card Championships (NA norms can be obtained by all

arbiters if any player is rated 1350 or above).

3.2.5 CHESS SA Inter Regional Team Championships.

3.2.6 South African Open.

3.2.7 CHESS SA Club Championships.

3.2.8 USSA Open.

3.2.9 USSA Closed.

3.2.10 CHESS SA Provincial Team Championships.

3.2.11 South African Women’s Open.

3.2.12 SAPS Individual and Team Championships.

3.2.13 South African Schools.

3.2.14 Braille Closed (a.k.a. “Top 8”).

3.3 The AGPX standings as at 2 months before the start of the above tournaments will be used to

determine the selected arbiters. This is to allow for the appointment of arbiters at this time so

they can make the relevant arrangements. The AGPX will be based on a 12-month period, starting

from the previous 12 months when the arbiters are selected.

3.4 An Arbiter will receive an AGPX points for a tournament regardless of where in the world the

tournament is hosted, except for the National events listed in 3.2 and that all other requirements

as stipulated by these regulations have been complied with.

CRITERIA FOR TOURNAMENTS INCLUDED FOR AGPX

3.5 Only tournaments that meet the following criteria will be taken into account when calculating the

AGPX of an Arbiter:

3.5.1 The tournaments must be either a FIDE and/or CHESSA rated tournament.

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3.5.2 For CHESSA rated tournaments:

3.5.2.1 The time control must be at least 60/60 except in age groups below and

including u10 or development sections (where at least 75% of the players

are unrated) where the time control must be at least 30/30.

3.5.2.2 The tournament must have a minimum of 5 rounds (or 4 rounds for

disabled chess).

3.5.2.3 All arbiters serving at the tournament must be paid up members of the

AOC, for the year in which the tournament takes place, before the start of

the tournament.

3.5.2.4 Only qualified arbiters (IA, FA, NA, PA, RA, TS & SS)may act in an official

capacity at rated tournaments.

3.5.2.5 The tournament must have a minimum of 6 players. Where the

tournament consists of different sections, each section must have a

minimum of 6 players.

NUMBER OF ARBITERS PER TOURNAMENT

3.6 International events:

3.6.1 Excludes arbiters who have received direct invitations/appointments by FIDE.

3.6.2 Where CHESS SA (via the AOC) is asked to nominate a certain number of arbiters, the

AGPX (at the time) will be used as a guide only (and NOT per ranking order). Only

arbiters appearing on the AGPX will be considered. Depending on the event,

preference will be given to arbiters with the titles of IA and FA to afford them the

opportunity to up their FIDE Arbiter Category and/or achieve an IA norm.

3.7 Unlike the requirement for norms, there is no limitation on the number of Arbiters. There can

however only be one CA irrespective of the number of sections, age groups or any other

subdivisions. For tournaments with less than 100 players there can be only one DCA and for those

tournaments with more players there can be a maximum of two DCA’s. All Arbiters must be

present for the full duration of the event. This is for the calculation and awarding of AGPX points.

3.8 For National events the LOC can appoint as many arbiters as they want subject to the following

regulations. However, any number of arbiters appointed over and above the numbers provided

below, must be paid up members, does not have to be on the AGPX list and does not count for

norms and AGPX points.

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3.9 The minimum number of arbiters to be appointed for the various National events will be the

following.

3.9.1 All arbiters to be appointed as per their AGPX standings unless otherwise stated.

3.9.2 All titles in brackets indicate the MINIMUM qualification required.

3.9.3 All arbiters must be in good standing (paid their AOC fees for the year in which the

event is held) BEFORE the start of the event (and not during or after).

3.9.4 In all events, the LOC is allowed to appoint more arbiters than the numbers given

below. However, these “extra” arbiters do NOT qualify for any norms (FIDE and/or

AOC) and are qualified as at least PA (excluding Schools and USSA which may appoint

SS or higher).

3.9.5 For the criteria below where a host province cannot fulfil the criteria of host arbiters

required, the arbiter allocation for outside the host province shall increase until the

stipulated number of arbiters are appointed.

3.9.6 “Local”: Arbiter from the host PROVINCE.

3.9.7 “Outside”: Arbiter NOT from the host PROVINCE.

3.9.8 Junior National Championships

3.9.8.1 7 Arbiters.

3.9.8.2 Top 50 arbiters on the AGPX to be considered.

3.9.9 South African Closed (Open, Women and Senior)

3.9.9.1 1 x CA (IA) – either Local or Outside.

3.9.9.2 1 x DCA (FA) – either Local or Outside (but preference will be given to Local

arbiters where possible).

3.9.9.3 CA will be selected by the players. The AOC will provide the players with a

list of all active IAs and each player may nominate (mark) 2 candidates who

they want to be CA. The person with the most votes is appointed CA. In

the event of a tie, the AOC will make the selection (with preference given

to a Local IA if possible).

3.9.9.4 The AOC will appoint the DCA. If no suitable candidate is found or

available, then the IA with the 2nd most votes (as per the player votes) will

be appointed as DCA.

3.9.9.5 If any B-section is hosted AND if it’s FIDE rated, then a Local (where

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possible) NA will be appointed.

3.9.10 South African Open (only, and NOT incorporating and FIDE events, e.g.

Commonwealth)

3.9.10.1 Minimum 4 arbiters (2 Local and 2 Outside).

3.9.10.2 1 x CA (IA) – Local (where possible).

3.9.10.3 1 x DCA1 (FA) – Local.

3.9.10.4 1 x DCA2 (FA) – Outside.

3.9.10.5 1 x A (NA). If CA is from Local, then outside. If CA is Outside, then Local.

3.9.10.6 If total number of players exceed 200 then 1 extra arbiter per complete 50

players. At least PA. All Local.

3.9.11 South African Open (incorporating FIDE events, e.g. Commonwealth)

3.9.11.1 4 x Local.

3.9.11.2 3 x Outside.

3.9.11.3 1 non-RSA arbiter (FA) (to pay own transport). If no such arbiter then the

Outside arbiters will increase to 4 BUT the 4th arbiter will be responsible

for 100% of his/her own transport costs.

3.9.11.4 1 x CA (IA) – Local (where possible). If not possible then remaining

arbiter positions (excluding DCA) will increase by 1 for the Local to keep

the 4:3 ratio.

3.9.11.5 2 x DCA (FA) – 1 Local, 1 Outside.

3.9.11.6 The quota for the remaining arbiters must be 3 x FA and 1 x NA or 2 x FA

and 2 x NA.

3.9.12 Inter Club and Inter Provincial (for each)

3.9.12.1 1 x CA (FA) – Local.

3.9.12.2 1 x DCA (NA) – Local.

3.9.13 South African Junior Closed

3.9.13.1 1 x CA (FA) – either Local or Outside.

3.9.13.2 1 x DCA1 (FA) – Outside.

3.9.13.3 1 x DCA2 (NA) – Local (female where possible).

3.9.13.4 1 arbiter per FIDE rated section (for FIDE rated section at least qualified as

NA).

3.9.13.5 Max 8 arbiters in total.

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3.9.13.6 In total (overall) 4 Local (where possible) and 4 Outside.

3.9.13.7 All arbiters (excluding CA and DCAs) at least NA.

3.9.13.8 LOC may appoint extra arbiters (over and above 8) but must be qualified

minimum as a PA and only 1 arbiter per 50 players more than 400 allowed.

Such arbiters will not qualify for any norms (FIDE and AOC).

3.9.14 Braille Closed

3.9.14.1 1 x CA (PA) – Local

3.9.15 South African Women’s Open

3.9.15.1 Female arbiters only (where possible).

3.9.15.2 1 x CA (FA) – either Local or Outside (preference given to Local) and MUST

be female.

3.9.15.3 1 x DCA (PA) – Local.

3.9.16 USSA Open

3.9.16.1 1 x CA (FA) – Local (where possible).

3.9.16.2 1 x DCA1 (PA) – Local.

3.9.16.3 1 x DCA2 (PA) (selected by USSA and can be either Local or Outside).

3.9.16.4 At least 2 more arbiters (either Local or Outside) of which one must be PA

and all others at least SS.

3.9.17 South African Schools

3.9.17.1 1 x CA (FA) – Local (where possible).

3.9.17.2 1 x DCA1 (NA) – Local.

3.9.17.3 1 x DCA2 (NA) – Outside.

3.9.17.4 As many other arbiters, either Local or Outside, and qualified as SS or

higher.

3.9.18 South African Police Championships (SAPS) (Individual & Team)

3.9.18.1 1 x CA (NA) – Local.

3.9.18.2 1 x DCA (PA) – Local.

APPOINTMENT PROCEDURE

For all National tournaments, and where the AOC appoints the arbiters, the procedure for appointment

will be the following:

3.10 The top 50 arbiters (for SAJCC) or top 30 arbiters (all other national events) appearing on the

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AGPX will be contacted and asked if they are willing to serve (this includes contacting arbiters via

email or asking them to complete an online application form). When contacting the arbiters, as

much information as possible must be given to assist them to make their decisions (e.g. stipend,

accommodation, transport, etc.).

3.11 All appointments will be made according to the above regulations and based on the responses

received.

3.12 An Arbiter will be considered active if he/she has arbitrated in at least 5 tournaments within the

selection period used to appoint arbiters for a specific event.

3.13 All tournaments (including National) will count towards activity. However, National tournaments

will not count towards AGPX points.

3.14 An Arbiter’s AGPX Points will be calculated by summing his/her top 8 AGPX Event Points.

3.15 Arbiters must submit their reports no later than 14 days after the event has ended.

3.16 No penalty points will be applied if an arbiter does not submit his report in time (or not at all).

However, arbiters who do submit their reports within the time frame will receive bonus points.

WHAT IS AN EVENT

3.17 An event consists of one or more tournaments (sections) regardless of the names assigned to each

section.

3.18 Regardless of the number of days over which the event is played, even if some sections are played

over a different number of days or even different weekends.

TYPE OF EVENTS

There are four type of events and defined as follow (listed in the order of importance):

3.19 International

Any FIDE advertised event where direct titles for players are awarded. Thus, World, Continental

or Zonal events.

3.20 National

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3.20.1 Any of the National events listed above. None count towards AGPX points however

they do count towards activity.

3.20.2 Any FIDE rated event (excluding those in 3.19) held outside the borders of RSA. Any

arbiter going to such an event (either by appointment, invitation or by himself/herself)

must notify the AOC before leaving for the event and supply the AOC, upon his return,

with a website link where the results can be obtained, in order for it to count towards

AGPX points.

3.20.3 Any FIDE rated EVENT held inside the borders of RSA (excluding those in 3.19) where

at least 10 players participate, the average rating of all the participants is 2200 or

more and at least one player is rated 2400 or higher. All ratings refer to FIDE ratings

only.

Provincial

Any event played within the borders of RSA where at least 3 different Provinces are represented

(regardless of the number of regions) or at least 2 different Provinces & 3 different Regions and

where Teams/Individuals vie for the title of “Provincial Champion”. The name of the event

(and/or Sections) does not necessarily make it a Provincial event, even though the word

“Provincial” appears in the event name.

Regional

All other events not listed in 3.19, 3.20 and 3.21.

FORMULA

To be updated.

4 Arbiters Reporting Requirements

4.1 For purposes of calculating an Arbiter’s AGPX the following reporting requirements exist. An A05

(for CA’s) and A06 (for all other arbiters must be completed online. Only in exceptional cases will

an email or fax be accepted. Arbiters who submit their reports no later than 14 days a

tournament has ended will receive bonus points.

4.2 The reason for this structure is to ensure that players’ national ratings are as up to date as

possible and to prevent Arbiters who already have six high tournaments of ignoring the

requirement. No correspondence will be entered into regarding any late submissions.

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4.3 Where an Arbiter fails to submit the necessary Arbiter’s report for five or more tournaments or

tournament files for a second time over a 24-month rolling period, the Arbiter will not be able to

officiate at any rated tournament unless reasons that are satisfactory in the opinion of the AOC,

can be provided why such a ban should not be imposed.

4.4 Should a ban be imposed on an Arbiter for a second time in a 5-year period, such Arbiter can be

expelled from the AOC for a period not exceeding two years.

EVENTS HELD WITHIN THE BORDERS OF SOUTH AFRICA

4.5 The following must be submitted by the CA (if the CA is a RSA arbiter otherwise the highest

appointed or qualified RSA Arbiter) NO LATER THAN 14 CALENDAR DAYS after the tournament has

ended.

4.5.1 Tournament file(s) (submitted to the Regional Administrator).

4.5.2 Report of the CA (submitted to the AOC). [Form AOC-05]

4.5.3 List of Arbiters (names, status, qualification, CHESS SA or FIDE ID). If this list does not

clearly state who the CA, DCA and other Arbiters were, ALL Arbiters will be treated as

“Arbiters” (no Arbiter will be given the distinction of CA or DCA) (submitted to the

AOC).

4.6 Each appointed Arbiter must submit his report NO LATER THAN 14 CALENDAR DAYS after the

tournament has ended (submitted to the AOC). [Form AOC-06]

EVENTS HELD OUTSIDE THE BORDERS OF SOUTH AFRICA

4.7 The following must be submitted by the Arbiter NO LATER THAN 14 CALENDAR DAYS after the

tournament has ended otherwise the tournament will not count towards AGPX and no

correspondence will be entered into for any late submissions.

4.7.1 Name of the tournament (submitted to AOC).

4.7.2 Website link where the tournament can be verified (submitted to AOC).

4.7.3 Individual report (submitted to AOC).

4.7.4 Status at the event (submitted to AOC).

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5 Selection of Arbiters for Events

5.1 For an Arbiter to be considered for selection he must have officiated in at least 5 tournaments

over the past 12 months.

5.2 The following should be used as a guide and adhered to as far as possible and where applicable.

Where the minimum percentage (%) cannot be applied (adhered to), the remaining Arbiters must

be selected from the AGPX as per their rank within the list.

5.3 All appointments will be done by the AOC in conjunction with the LOC and ratified by CHESS SA.

6 Arbiters for Foreign Tournaments

6.1 Arbiters are allowed to informally contact other countries and people in order to apply for Arbiter

positions at their events, except for tournaments under the auspices of FIDE. In these cases FIDE

will allocate Arbiters to member countries. Where South Africa receives such an allocation, the

AOC will nominate those Arbiter(s) that requires the least number of IA norms based on their

position on the AGPX, or IA’s requiring to upgrade their FIDE Category Status.

6.2 This means that an FA with 3 IA norms will be nominated even if he is below an FA with 1 IA norm

on the AGPX ranking. The FA needs to have been an arbiter for at least 5 tournaments in the past

12 months.

6.3 In order to assist with general good governance, the AOC should be CC’ed in on all communication

with other countries. Where the AOC is aware of more than one Arbiter applying to the same

country, the AOC will have the right to interfere and decide who may apply based on the

respective Arbiters’ positions on the AGPX. This will assist in preventing a country being flooded

by multiple applications from South African Arbiters.

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7 Arbiter Fees & Remuneration

7.1 All Arbiters will be required to pay a licensing fee to the AOC. These fees will be set at the annual

meeting of CHESS SA.

7.2 Arbiter will receive one Magnetic name and title badge as a once off. All other arbiters name

badges must be bought by the arbiter.

7.3 For national events, the LOC will be responsible for accommodation and meals for the Arbiters. A

travel allowance, appropriate to the cost of travel to get to the tournament, for Arbiters not

selected from the Province will applicable. The following fee per round of National Events will be

payable.

RATES APPLICABLE FROM 2017

7.4

Tournament Chief Arbiter

Deputy CA

Arbiter

SAJCC 1100 900 700

SA OPEN 900 730 600

SA JNR CLOSED 900 730 600

SA Adult CLOSED 650 530 450

OTHER NATIONALS 550 430 350

1 arbiter is recommended for every 50 players. E.g. 50 players is the CA only, 100 players is CA

and DCA, 150 is CA-DCA-A and so on.

7.5 For non ‘national’ specified events the following fees serve as a guideline for tournaments lasting

2 days or less. For tournaments running over more than 2 days, recommended fees should

increase by 50%.

IA FA NA PA RA TS/SS

R120 R110 R100 R80 R60 R50

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7.6 Fees for FIDE titles must be paid into the Chess SA account, so that CHESS SA can manage all fees

for arbiter titles. AOC will not manage any issues or deal with any costs for Fide titles.

8 Duties of Arbiters

The arbiter is responsible for the following:

8.1 Apply the Fide Rules in all tournaments

8.2 Ensure you are up to date with the latest rules

8.3 Be fair and objective in your rulings

8.4 Complete A05 / A06 forms online on the Chessa website

8.5 Entry form is correct – G4 is stated if applicable, Tie break system to be used is shown, rounds and

playing time clear, default time.

8.6 Venue is of decent standard – lighting, toilets, emergency exit, smoking place, safe.

8.7 Tables and chairs are suitable for players (can be school chairs for U8/U10/U12 etc.). But decent

chairs for adults. There is enough space is enough for boards, clocks and notation books.

8.8 Boards and pieces set correctly and tables numbered clearly.

8.9 Clocks positioned correctly and set according to time control.

8.10 Draws done on computer system and run efficiently (not necessarily by the arbiter), but must have

knowledge of the program to help.

8.11 Draws published in visible places and on time.

8.12 Place to collect (and check) results.

8.13 CA to ensure there are sufficient arbiters, correctly qualified and paid up members.

9 Growth of BEE and Female arbiters

To be updated.

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10 Disciplinary Code

10.1 No Arbiter may bring the game of Chess, CHESS SA or the AOC into disrepute. This does not

prevent Arbiters from disagreeing with these bodies, but requires Arbiters to maintain a level of

professionalism at all times. Failure to adhere to such standards can lead to expulsion from the

AOC for a period not exceeding two years.

10.2 If an Arbiter is found guilty of gross negligence during a tournament or of manipulation of results

or pairings at a tournament, such Arbiter can be expelled from the AOC for a period not exceeding

five years.

10.3 If it is found that an Arbiter regularly makes decisions that are not sound in law, such Arbiter can

be required to rewrite the Arbiter’s exam. If the Arbiter does not pass such an exam within six

months from notification of such requirement, the Arbiter will be suspended until such exam has

been successfully completed.

10.4 Where a complaint is lodged against an Arbiter which could lead to an expulsion or suspension,

the AOC will determine whether there is a prima facie case to answer. If the AOC believes there

is a prima facie case to answer, the Chairperson of the AOC will appoint three independent

arbiters not on the AOC to decide on the matter. They will be entitled to decide on the

procedures to be followed. An Arbiter that feels that he was wronged by the decision or the

process can appeal to the Legal and Appeals Board of Chess SA.

11 Review of Arbiters

11.1 To ensure that Arbiters provide a professional quality of service at events that they are appointed,

a panel of Arbiters consisting of all International Arbiters and National CA’s will be created to

review any complaints against Arbiters at events based on either their decisions or their conduct.

In reviewing such Arbiters the panel will review submissions from all parties involved including the

Chief Arbiter of the event. The panel will be able to recommend a warning, a penalty of AGPX

points or for serious offences to suspend such Arbiter. Such penalty will be implemented after

ratification by the AOC.

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12 Appeals Committees at Tournaments

12.1 All rated tournaments should have an appeals committee consisting of at least three members,

one of which should be the CA. The names of the members should be published before the end of

the first round. At least one, but preferably both other members should not be acting Arbiters at

the event. Where the CA is himself the subject of the appeal and there are less than three

remaining members on the committee, an additional member must be co-opted. Members should

have a working knowledge of the laws of chess and where possible an understanding of the

natural rules of justice.

12.2 Before a decision on an appeal is made the position of both parties to the incident as well as the

affected Arbiter should be heard. As the Arbiter was the one at the table, the decision of the

Arbiter should not be overturned purely because the appeals committee would have come to a

different decision, but only where the decision made by the Arbiter is clearly incorrect.

12.3 The appeals committee should hear and decide on a matter as quickly as possible without

affecting the justice of the decision in order to limit the impact on the tournament.

13 Annual Meetings of Arbiters

13.1 As the South African Junior Nationals are the South African event requiring the most Arbiters, an

Arbiters meeting will be held every year during this tournament. At this meeting issues pertinent

to Arbiters and tournaments in South Africa shall be discussed and the regulations to be

implemented from the 1st of July of that year will be approved for ratification by CHESS SA.

13.2 Arbiters who are not present are allowed to provide the Chairman or another Arbiter present with

a proxy to vote on his behalf. Such proxy could give the Arbiter instructions on how to vote or

leave the vote to the discretion of such Arbiter.

13.3 It is not in the scope of this meeting to elect the AOC or to discuss and approve its finances as this

falls within the ambit of CHESS SA.

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14 FIDE Rules of Chess Interpretation

14.1 Where there is ambiguity in or discretion provided by the FIDE Rules of Chess, the AOC may

provide guidelines with regards to the manner in which the rules are to be interpreted or any such

discretion be exercised. The aim of such guidelines is to provide certainty within the CHESS SA

fraternity on how the rules will be applied at tournaments within South Africa.