Study desk
Chess arbiter Q&A — FIDE laws, Swiss pairings & ratings
Published arbiter questions — laws, pairings, ratings, and more. Open a question, pick a choice, then reveal the official answer.
Study published chess arbiter questions on FIDE Laws of Chess, Swiss pairings, ratings, tie-breaks and fair play. Official answers come from verified arbiters on Chess Arbiter Pro.
Published arbiter questions
Need an account? Register as arbiter — Submit a question.
20 questions · page 1 of 2
Choose a question from the list
Pairings / Swiss
Choice
By Mahendra Lakhyani
1. Accelerated Swiss system
When implementing a FIDE-approved Accelerated Swiss system (such as standard virtual point systems or the Baku Acceleration Method) in massive open tournaments, what primary structural modification is introduced to the tournament's scoring and pairing mechanics in the initial rounds?
Choices
Official answer
Answer:
- The top half of the rating list is artificially assigned "virtual points" added to their actual score solely for the pairing algorithm in the first few rounds.
Pairings / Swiss
Choice
By Mahendra Lakhyani
2. Fundamental relationship between avoiding repeat opponents and satisfying color preferences?
According to FIDE C.04 (Swiss Pairing Rules), when attempting to pair a score group, what is the fundamental relationship between avoiding repeat opponents and satisfying color preferences?
Choices
Official answer
Answer:
- Avoiding repeat pairings is an absolute condition that is never violated, whereas color preferences can be compromised or left unfulfilled based on the hierarchical priority of criteria.
- FIDE Handbook Section: C. General Rules and Technical Commissions
- Sub-Section: C.04.2 FIDE Swiss Rules (General Handling Rules)
- Article Reference: Article A.1 (Absolute Criteria)
Detailed Explanation & FIDE Rules Breakdown
Under the official FIDE Swiss Pairing Rules (specifically within the Dutch System, which is the standard algorithm used by software like Swiss-Manager), the pairing criteria are strictly separated into two distinct categories: Absolute Criteria (which can never be violated) and Relative/Optimisation Criteria (which can be modified or dropped if a valid pairing cannot be found).
1. Absolute Criteria (FIDE C.04.2 / A.1)
The algorithm must satisfy these rules. If satisfying them is impossible, the pairing system must backtrack or drop down a player, but it can never break these rules:
- Article A.1.a (No Repeat Pairings): Two players shall not play against each other more than once.
- Article A.1.b (Bye Restrictions): A player who has received a pairing bye (either a full-point or half-point bye due to an odd number of players) cannot receive another pairing bye.
2. Relative / Optimisation Criteria (FIDE C.04.2 / A.2)
Color preferences fall under relative criteria. FIDE rules state that we must try to optimize color balance, but if a conflict arises between giving a player their preferred color and avoiding a repeat pairing, color preference is immediately sacrificed.
- An arbiter or pairing software will routinely force a player to take a "wrong" color (or even three consecutive identical colors in extreme, unavoidable late-round Swiss scenarios) rather than pairing two players who have already played each other.
Fair play
Descriptive
By Mahendra Lakhyani
3. Leaving table on his/her own move
It is Player A's turn to move in a Classical FIDE-rated game. Player A wants to stand up, go to the tournament refreshment stall, and get a cup of coffee while they are thinking about their move.
According to FIDE rules, is a player allowed to leave the chess table while it is their own turn to move, and do they need to ask you (the Arbiter) for permission?
What does the FIDE rulebook say about a player leaving the board on their own turn? Let me know your answer!
Official answer
According to FIDE Article 11.2.3, the rule distinguishes between leaving the playing table (the chair/board) and leaving the playing venue (the tournament hall/rooms). Here is the exact FIDE protocol you must enforce as an Arbiter:
1. Leaving the Chess Table on Your Own Turn
- The Rule: A player who has the move is strictly not allowed to leave the playing table without the permission of the Arbiter.
- Do they need permission? Yes, if they want to step away from their board while their own clock is running, they must inform you. If they want to leave the table on the opponent's turn, they can do so freely without asking, as long as they stay inside the playing area.
2. Leaving the Playing Venue / Hall
- If a player leaves the playing venue (the designated tournament zone) entirely while their game is still going on, the penalty is much more severe. Doing this on their own turn without an Arbiter's escort is a massive security risk (for potential cheating).
Your Arbiter Action (Penalties):
You are right about the progression of penalties, but the starting point depends on where they went:
- First Offense (Just stepping away from the table): You give a formal warning and instruct them to sit back down or ask next time.
- Second Offense: You apply a time penalty (reducing their time or adding time to the opponent).
- Severe Violation (Leaving the hall/venue alone): If they walked completely out of the tournament hall on their own turn without permission, the Chief Arbiter has the authority to declare the game lost for that player immediately due to anti-cheating protocols.
Fair play
Descriptive
By Mahendra Lakhyani
4. Coach watching student's game
During an intense round, you notice a local Chess Coach standing near the board of one of their students. The student is facing a highly complex tactical position. You closely observe the coach and notice that every time it is the student's turn to move, the coach either crosses their arms tightly or folds their hands behind their back.
The opponent's parent approaches you and claims the coach is using a pre-arranged physical code to signal to the student whether to play defensively or offensively.
As the Arbiter, what is your immediate action regarding the coach, and what do the FIDE regulations say about spectator and coach behavior in the playing hall?
How will you handle this alleged signaling from the coach? Let me know your answer!
Official answer
Removing the coach from the playing hall is the most direct and effective action to protect the integrity of the game.
According to FIDE Laws of Chess (Article 11.2 and 11.7) and the FIDE Fair Play Regulations, the rules regarding coaches and spectators are very strict:
1. Spectators and Coaches Have No Rights inside the Hall
Coaches, parents, and spectators are allowed in the playing venue purely as guests. They must remain completely silent and are strictly forbidden from making any signals, talking to players, or interfering in any way.
2. Immediate Arbiter Action
Even if you cannot 100% prove that crossing arms is a "secret code," the mere suspicion and the fact that it is disturbing the opponent is enough.
- You should approach the coach politely but firmly and ask them to leave the playing hall immediately.
- If they refuse, you can cancel their accreditation or tournament pass and have security remove them.
3. Monitoring the Player
Once the coach is gone, you should pay closer attention to the student's board to ensure they are not looking around for other accomplices or signals. You do not penalize the student immediately unless you catch them actively receiving help or looking at a device.
Fair play
Descriptive
By Mahendra Lakhyani
5. Anti cheating and security
During Round 6 of a high-stakes FIDE tournament, an arbiter notices that Player X leaves the playing hall to go to the restroom after every single move they make during the middlegame. Their opponent, Player Y, approaches you privately and formally accuses Player X of cheating, alleging they must have a hidden electronic device or phone hidden in the toilet cubicle.
You do not have any metal detectors or scanners on hand, and you haven't seen anything suspicious on Player X's person while they are at the board.
According to the FIDE Anti-Cheating Guidelines, what is your immediate next step as an arbiter to handle this accusation fairly and legally?
What actions are you legally permitted and required to take right now to investigate this accusation? Let me know your answer.
Official answer
Cheating—it is a massive offense that demands immediate action.
According to the FIDE Anti-Cheating Guidelines (Fair Play Regulations), the exact protocol for an Arbiter is highly systematic to protect both the integrity of the game and the rights of the players.
Here is the exact step-by-step procedure an Arbiter must follow in this situation:
1. Document the Complaint First
You cannot just act on a verbal accusation. You must ask Player Y to put their complaint in writing using the official FIDE Fair Play Complaint Form. The complainant must state their concrete reasons.
2. The Washroom Investigation (Crucial Distinction)
- What you CAN do: You should immediately go to the washroom to inspect the cubicles. If you find a hidden phone or electronic device, you secure it as evidence.
- What you CANNOT do: You cannot physically search Player X inside the washroom or trap them there. Any formal search of the player's person, clothes, or bags must be done in a private room, and the person conducting the search must be of the same gender as the player.
3. If Cheating is Proven (The Penalty)
If a device is found on their person or directly linked to them:
- The player loses the current game immediately.
- The Chief Arbiter will expel (out) the player from the tournament.
- The Arbiter will file a report to the FIDE Fair Play Commission (FPL) and the Ethics Commission. FIDE will then issue a severe global ban (typically 3 to 5 years for a first offense).
4. What if the Complaint is False?
You are absolutely right that false accusations must be penalized. FIDE explicitly states that manifestly unfounded or reckless accusations are a disciplinary offense. If Player Y made the complaint purely to psychologically disturb Player X without any reasonable basis, you will penalize Player Y under Article 12.9 (which can range from a time penalty, a warning, or losing the game for unsporting conduct).
Laws of Chess
Descriptive
By Mahendra Lakhyani
6. I adjust rule
A player intends to move their Bishop. They reach out, touch their Bishop, but before moving it to a new square, they realize it is a terrible blunder. They immediately say "J'adoube" (I adjust) and try to move their Knight instead.
The opponent immediately stops the clock and calls you over. How do you rule on this?
What is your decision regarding the player's attempt to use "J'adoube" after touching the piece? Let me know your answer.
Official answer
According to FIDE Article 4.2.1, a player can only adjust their pieces if they express their intention before touching the piece (by saying "J'adoube" or "I adjust"). Saying it after touching the piece is completely invalid.
Your Arbiter Ruling:
- Enforce the Touch-Move Rule (Article 4.3): Since the player deliberately touched their Bishop first, they must move the Bishop, provided it has at least one legal move available.
- If the Bishop has legal moves: The player can choose any legal square for that Bishop. They cannot switch to the Knight.
- If the Bishop has no legal moves: Only then is the player free to make any other legal move on the board (like moving the Knight).
Laws of Chess
Descriptive
By Mahendra Lakhyani
7. Mobile alarm ring kept in bag
During a round of a Standard FIDE-rated Open tournament, a player's mobile phone suddenly rings inside their bag next to the table. The phone was completely turned off, but an alarm they forgot to clear triggered and made the phone ring.
The player has not looked at the phone, and it is hidden inside the bag. What is the mandatory penalty under FIDE regulations, and does the Arbiter have any flexibility in this situation?
What is your ruling when a phone rings due to an alarm during a FIDE-rated tournament? Let me know your answer.
Official answer
under the general rule, but as a FIDE Arbiter, you must look closely at the exact tournament setup and the distinction between "on the person" and "in a bag" under FIDE Laws of Chess Article 11.3.2.
Here is how the rule breaks down exactly:
1. The Strict General Rule
According to FIDE rules, if a player’s electronic device produces any sound (including an alarm) in the playing venue, the offending player loses the game immediately, and the opponent wins. It does not matter if the player was not actively cheating or if the phone was stowed away.
2. The Bag vs. Person Distinction (Crucial for Arbiters)
FIDE updated this rule to provide a tiny bit of regulatory flexibility depending on where the phone is found:
- On the Person: If the phone is in the player's pocket or on their body, and it makes a sound, the loss is mandatory and absolute.
- In a Bag: Under Article 11.3.2.1, the tournament regulations may permit players to store a completely switched-off phone in a bag. If a phone is in a bag and an alarm forces it to ring anyway, the player still loses the game by default unless the specific Local Tournament Regulations stated in advance that a less severe penalty would apply for bag violations.
Your Final Arbiter Action:
- Since the phone rang, you declare the game lost for the player and give the win to the opponent.
- (Exception): You would only reduce this penalty to a fine or time warning if it is a minor local event and the Tournament Regulations explicitly allowed a more lenient penalty specifically for phones ringing inside bags. In major FIDE events, it is an instant loss no matter what.
Laws of Chess
Descriptive
By Mahendra Lakhyani
8. Player have 2 minutes only in a Rook vs Rook game and claimed draw
During a Rapid tournament, Player X has less than 2 minutes left on their clock and no increment is being used. Player Y has 10 minutes left. Player X realizes that the position on the board is a completely dead drawn position (for example, a Rook vs. Rook endgame with no pawns), but Player Y is just moving their pieces around quickly, refusing a draw offer, trying to win purely by making Player X run out of time ("flagging").
Player X stops the clock and calls you over, asking for a draw because Player Y is making no effort to win by normal means.
As the Arbiter, what is your ruling? Can you grant a draw under the FIDE Guidelines for games without increment (Guidelines III)?
Under FIDE rules for games without increment, how should the Arbiter handle this claim? Let me know your decision.
Official answer
The game will continue, but FIDE has a very specific, strict protocol for how you must handle this as an Arbiter under Guidelines III (Games without increment).
Here is the exact procedure you must follow according to FIDE Article III.5:
1. The Arbiter's Options
When a player makes this claim (having less than 2 minutes left in a game without increment), you have three choices:
- Option A: Reject the claim immediately if you feel the opponent is making normal progress.
- Option B: Postpone your decision. This is the most professional route for a Rook vs. Rook ending.
- Option C: Grant the draw immediately (only done if it is absolutely impossible to win, like a bare king vs bare king, which you wouldn't even need a claim for).
2. How to Postpone the Decision (The Correct Arbiter Action)
Since a Rook vs. Rook endgame is theoretically drawn but highly blunder-prone, you should postpone your decision.
- You order the players to continue playing.
- You must personally stand at the board and monitor the game until its conclusion, or until the claimant's flag falls.
- You watch if Player Y is actually trying to set traps (normal means) or just moving randomly to burn the clock.
3. The Final Verdict
- If the game finishes normally (someone blunders, gets checkmated, or they agree to a draw), that result stands.
- If Player X's flag falls (runs out of time) while you are watching, you must make the final call. If you observed that Player Y was only moving pieces randomly without trying to win by chess strategy, you must declare the game a draw. If Player Y was making genuine attempts, Player Y wins.
Laws of Chess
Descriptive
By Mahendra Lakhyani
9. Threefold repetition claim
During a classical game, Player A wants to claim a draw under the Threefold Repetition rule because the exact same position is about to appear on the board for the third time.
According to FIDE Laws of Chess, what is the exact, correct step-by-step procedure Player A must follow to make this claim legally to you (the Arbiter)?
Official answer
According to FIDE Article 9.2.1.1, the player must follow these exact steps:
- Write the intended move on their scoresheet (but do not play it on the board).
- Stop the chess clock (to preserve the time of both players while the claim is being investigated).
- Call the Arbiter and state: "I am claiming a draw by Threefold Repetition because my next move will create the same position for the third time."
If the player mistakenly makes the move on the board and presses their clock, they instantly lose the right to claim the draw on that turn.
Laws of Chess
Descriptive
By Mahendra Lakhyani
10. Flag fall of White player but Black not completed notation sheet
A critical Classical tournament game is underway. Suddenly, Player A's clock expires (Flag Fall). Player B immediately calls you (the Arbiter) over and claims a win on time.
However, when you arrive at the board, you notice that Player B has not recorded the last 5 moves on their scoresheet (which is mandatory under FIDE laws). Player A complains that Player B was gaining a time advantage by neglecting to write down the moves.
As the Arbiter, what will be your final decision? Will Player B be declared the winner because Player A ran out of time, or will Player B be penalized for not keeping score?
What is your ruling in this situation according to the FIDE Laws of Chess? Let me know your answer.
Official answer
Player B wins the game! Under FIDE Laws of Chess (Article 6.9), when a player’s time expires, they lose the game instantly, provided the opponent has a theoretical possibility of checkmate.
The fact that Player B did not write down their moves does not change the result of the game. A flag fall is a definitive game-ending event.
However, as an Arbiter, you must still address the scoresheet violation:
- The Game Result Stands: Player B is declared the winner (1-0 or 0-1 depending on color).
- Apply a Disciplinary Penalty: According to Article 8.1 (recording of moves) and Article 12.9 (Arbiter options for penalties), you must penalize Player B for violating the rules of notation.
- The Correct Procedure: You should instruct Player B to update their scoresheet immediately using their own time before leaving the tournament hall. You may also issue a formal warning or a fine/penalty for the next round (such as reducing their time in the next game), but you cannot take away their win for this game.