As we are all aware, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected our lives dramatically. We have started with “Over the Board” (OTB), but due to the high level of Covid infections spreading at the moment, all sport tournaments have been stopped by the government. Chess is however versatile, and we can continue with online tournaments. Mangaung Metro Chess’ tournaments will therefore once again continue online until further notice. Lichess and Zoom will be used as the platforms for our tournaments. We have gotten permission to use Lichess’ pairing programme for rated tournaments, this means that players will no longer have to challenge each other and will be paired automatically.
Date
29 May 2021
Type
Online Qualifying
Platform
Lichess & Zoom
Time
Saturday: 08:00
*The tournament will occur in accordance to ‘rate of play’. As soon as everyone in a section is done playing, the next draws will be published.
Rate of Play
20min/20min + 2sec incr.
Rated
CHESSA
Prizes
Cash prizes dependent on amount of entries.
Cash will be deposited via EFT to winners.
Section (According to CHESSA rating)
A: 1000+ and all players 18 years and older.
B: 851-1000
C: 600-850
Beginners: 0-600 and u10
(Sections may be combined if sections do not have enough participants.)
The following considerations have been taken in terms of online play within Mangaung::
- The documented rules and regulations as set out by FIDE for online play will be used for Online Mangaung Metro Chess tournaments (rated, qualifying and non-qualifying). These documents are available on www.fide.com and are constantly updated.
-
The platform that will be used for this online tournament by Mangaung Chess is lichess.org. The platform used for videos will be Zoom.
It is the responsibility of all players to register and become acquainted to the sites on all platforms, which can be registered on here: -
Approved devices that can be used to play these online tournaments are as follows:
- Personal Laptop (preferred)
- Personal Computer (preferred)
- Tablet
- Smart Cellphone
* It is the responsibility of the player/parents of players to confirm with lichess.org and chessa.com whether the device is up to standard to run with their websites/applications.
* It is the responsibility of the player/parents of players to make sure that a reliable internet connection is available during play at all times. The LOC and arbiters cannot be held responsible for the loss of time or points due to a bad internet connection or faulty technology.- No other device may be near the player while playing, including earphones and music devices.
- Whatsapp can be used after you are done playing.
-
Rules regarding Lichess:
- Please join the following group once you have registered: https://lichess.org/team/mangaung-metro-chess-28-29-may-2021
- After joining the group, make sure you join the correct tournament within the group.
- Games are rate of play. As soon as the last player is done in your section, the next draws will be sent. It is the players responsibility to make sure they are at their screen on time for the next round.
- Parents are not allowed to intervene at all, including logging in and watching your child's game while they are playing. This can lead to a loss of a game. Parents may help before a game to login.
- No talking is allowed during play!
- No assistance in any form during play is allowed.
- Arbiters may use external devices such as engines to prove cheating, which will be seriously dealt with.
- Chat to arbiters should be done through Lichess chat or Zoom chat while playing.
- If you suspect your opponent is cheating, please let an arbiter know after the game.
- You may only use Whatsapp in-between rounds, not during.
- It is advised that Google Chrome be used for the tournament and not the Lichess app.
-
Rules regarding Zoom:
- Make sure you play in an area where there will be as little as possible noise and distractions. Families with more than one player participating must make sure players are located far enough from each other so that they cannot talk or make eye contact with each other.
- Players need to join the Zoom Room 15minutes before the start of the round.
- Parents may help the players to set up Zoom, but as soon as the round starts, parents may not be close to the player or communicate with the player, unless an arbiter allows it.
- Your sound will be on during the tournament so that arbiters can make sure no one is talking, please do not make a noise. (You will not be muted during play).
- Your sound needs to be on while announcements are made, arbiters will tell you when to switch off your sound so that you do not get distracted while a round is in progress.
- While a player is playing, he must communicate with arbiters via Zoom messenger or Lichess Chat. Players may not send each other messages via Zoom.
- Your Zoom name must be the same as your Lichess username.
- Make sure your lighting is correct so that arbiters can see your face.
- Our arbiters and LOC have been trained to handle online play and CHESSA/FIDE ratings will be calculated as set out by FIDE and CHESSA.
-
Cheating is a big concern regarding online play. To prevent cheating, the LOC together with the arbiters will closely monitor all rated and qualifying games within tournaments with anti-cheating devices and applications. There will be strict consequences for those that are caught cheating.
Cheating includes, but is not limited to:- Assistance from engines.
- Assistance from other people or devices.
- Assistance from books and notes.
- Assistance from analysis. (No chessboards allowed next to players).
- Playing with different handles or other peoples’ handles. Only one handle on each of the approved websites is allowed per player!
-
Entries will be done online on www.mangaungchess.co.za.
Entries close on Thursday at 11am.
Entry Fee: R80
Account Name: Chess Free State
Bank: ABSA
Branch: Brandwag
Account Number: 4061586564
* Please send proof of payment to admin@chessfreestate.co.za