Statement

Here's an important statement that, I think, all the players should read.

As per «The Rules», if a player cannot offer anything on week-end days and as a result no game is played, the faulty player forfeits the game or at least, is recorded as being forfeited. The SLCA being a world wide league, the players must make sure that they can rely upon some week-end availabilities before they round-check-in. This is true for anyone, including me. For instance, I usually don't pair myself when I participate in an OTB week-end tournament. If I do, I'm making sure that playing someone near me is possible. 

Here's a concrete example.  I more or less live in Montreal = USA ET (New-York) and am in the same situation as any of you. I would be willing to start a game between 18:00 local - 20:00 local. But each time I play a European, I know that it won't be possible, as that would be equivalent for the other player to start a game during sleep time. So if I'm an average guy working week-days from 9 to 5, then I know that I may have to play a week-end game against an Italian, French, German, British, and so on. It is likely that I will play at 13:00 USA ET  = (more or less) 18:00 - 20:00 for my opponent (lucky him!). 

In a situation where you know that you won't be available to play a week-end game but still want to play, then you need to call the shot. In such a situation, I will try to pair you with someone living in (or close to) your time zone. Of course, it might not be possible sometimes, especially if that greatly interferes with the SWISS pairing system. In such a case, you would be allowed a ½ point BYE. Doing this is only possible on a punctual basis though. What I mean is that consistently asking to play someone in your time zone isn't possible until we have enough active players. I'm working on this.

Regards,

zug