FIDE IS THE FIRST SPORTS FEDERATION WITH ONLINE REGULATION

This Monday, January 04, 2021, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) approved the set of rules for the official competitions of this institution to be carried out online or through the internet. This document will be integrated into the regulations of the FIDE Chess Laws, forming part of a great and unprecedented effort of the seven commissions of referee specialists, as well as the technicians dedicated to ethical and disciplinary matters, both in the conventional game and in those that develop actions in tournaments for disabled chess players.

The first part is made up of the so-called basic rules and the second is the one that specifies the rules of chess via online. The third or third section refers to the tournaments that will be part of this system: tournaments with technical supervision and tournaments of a hybrid nature. Hybrid tournaments are those where the games are played on an internet platform or server, but the participants perform in person at the same club, federation, hotel or any other venue.

"A great potential in this format is observed by FIDE, which allows hosting chess competitions with participants scattered in different places, giving the possibility of multiple communication and sponsorship," explained David Llada, FIDE Marketing and Communication Manager. The international chess federation recognizes that these regulations cannot cover all possible situations, but I believe that they provide the tools for an experienced referee, judgment and objectivity to make the correct decision.

The «pre-move» («pre-move»), with which a player leaves his move made out of turn, before knowing what his rival is going to move, as well as the matter that concerns the disconnections are also attack in this new regulation.

Players may not use other devices or wear headphones during games. The referee may ask a player to show him articles of clothing, bags, drawers, coffee cups or any other accessory that is nearby. Of course this will be done by the judge through the camera.

Smoking electronic cigarettes, as well as distracting the opponent in any way, including unreasonable claims or continuous draw offers, will be punished under these rules, as would be done in a normal game, and inappropriate behavior will be corrected and sanctioned before the camera or for inappropriate clothing.

Players must share a screen with the referee and that they will not be able to activate or open other applications on their computer, apart from the one they use to play. On the other hand, the camera must focus perfectly on the player's face together with the room where he is, which must be sufficiently illuminated. Keeping the microphone open will be a premise, while each tournament must provide its own videoconference system. A new system for forecasting the maximum actions with the use of yellow cards and a support of red cards for definitive sanctions, as is the case in football.

Once the games are over, players consider themselves just another spectator and must turn off their cameras and microphones.

All the games according to need will be subjected to the analysis of anti-cheat software, in this case it will be the Game Screening Tool, or any other approved by FIDE. Chess platform programs can be used, but will not have official validity, although they can serve as an indication that a player should be investigated.

It is important to note that penalties for misbehavior in a virtual tournament will have significance in competitions on the board.