Slow Live Chess Association

The Rules

Negotiating

For each of the games, a related Negotiation Forum (NF) is created and posted. Any negotiation must take place in the associated Negotiation Forum. We use GMT for any negotiation, even when the players come from the same time zone. A link to a Time Zone Converter will be available in all the Negotiation Forums.

First, let's give our definition of a «time slot»:

A time slot is the starting point of a chess game.

After the Pairings / Negotiation Forums are posted, the players' main objective is to find a common suitable time slot towards the game. The first player to get inside the Negotiation Forum must offer three (3) time slots as when to play in accordance with our four (4) Guidelines shown below. The second player to show up in the Negotiation Forum must either accept one of the first player's time slot offers OR, if accepting is impossible, counter-offer 3 time slots of his own following the four (4) Guidelines shown below. This must be accomplished before the first Wednesday @ 4:00GMT after the pairings / Negotiation Forums are posted. The player who fails to meet this requirement on time automatically earns 1/2 Misconduct Penalty Ticket. Moreover, the player who fails to meet the above requirement on time earns a full Misconduct Penalty Ticket when no agreement is found regarding a common suitable time slot to play. Please see below about '' Misconduct Penalty Ticket '' for more on this topic. In case of no agreement after both players offered three (3) time slots, the players keep negotiating, making offers and counter-offers (one time slot per offer or more) in the way ping-pong players would return the ball. If no agreement is possible after the players did everything possible and followed all the rules, the game is duly declared draw by the arbiter in charge.

Here are our four (4) Guidelines as how offering three (3) time slots must be done:

1. A time slot to play before Tuesday @ 12:00 GMT does not count towards the three (3) time slots requirement;

2. There must be at least 24 hours between posting time and playing time for a time slot to count towards the three (3) time slot requirement;

3. There must be at least three (3) hours between each of the time slots;

4. The maximum number of time slots for the same playing day is two (2);

As soon as an offer is made by a player and accepted by the other, there is no need to confirm anything. It binds on both players to show up on time to play the game. Offering a time slot that is less than 24 hours after offering time is not recommanded. However, after such an offer is made, it binds on the player to be available to play at the time / date he offered. Note that there must be at least twenty four (24) hours between accepting a time slot and the time of the game for an acceptance to be valid, unless the offer came less then 24 hours before the time slot. But again, when the player accepts an offer, it is his responsability to show up on time and play.

Playing the Game

It is of premium importance that both players show up on time to play. However, each player is allowed a twenty (20) minute period of grace. After twenty (20) minutes, the situation is treated as if the faulty player didn’t show up and he forfeits.

All games to be played are rated games. Unless otherwise specified, the player whose username appears left has the white pieces. It is usually a good idea that one player «friends» the other before the occurrence of the game in order to make seeking each other easier on the «live» server. When the time comes, one player sends a game offer to the other on the «live» server in respect to the specification of the game: color assignment, time control, increment, rated game.

Disconnexion

The player who disconnects irremediably loses the game even if he has a winning advantage. However, if both players agree and if the arbiter also agrees, another game can be rescheduled and this latter will count for the Standings. Sportsmanship plays a crucial here.

If the players remember the remaining times, the arbiter might oblige the players to follow an algorythm that will enable them to reach the approximate remaining times and to play the exact position that was on the board just before the occurence of disconnexion.

Misconduct penalty ticket

Not showing up for a game is a grievous «blunder» and must be punished accordingly. In fact, experience has shown that it is the main threat to a system like the one the Slow LIVE Chess Association will be using here. Consequently, the player who, for any reason, does not show up for his game gets a full Misconduct Penalty Ticket. However, the player has a Twenty (20) minute period of grace at his disposal. This means that the non-faulty player must stay on the LIVE server at least for twenty (20) minutes after the agreed time. Immediately after the period of grace, the non-faulty player must post his related comment in his Negotiation Forum.

After an agreement is found by the players as when to play, it happens sometimes that one of the player has to change plans. Of course, there is a life beside chess. This player has the obligation to inform the other about the situation. If the information is posted at least 24 hours in advance in the Negotiation Forum and a game is played anyway, the faulty player gets «only» ¼ misconduct penalty ticket. If the information is posted at least 24 hours in advance in the Negotiation Forum but no game is played, the faulty player gets ½ misconduct penalty ticket. If the information is posted in the Negotiation Forum less than 24 hours before the game but the game is played anyway, the faulty player gets ½ misconduct penalty ticket. When the information comes less than 24 hours before the game and the game is cancelled, the faulty player gets a full misconduct penalty ticket.

After two (2) misconduct penalty tickets within 30 days, the player gets suspended for 30 days. After three (3) misconduct tickets within 120 days, the player is indefinitely suspended.

Amendment

The player who has not yet completed a full tournament and gets two (2) misconduct tickets is indefinitely suspended. Moreover, the tournament arbiter owns the power to give a full misconduct ticket or even suspend any player whose behavior represents or might represent a threat to the SLCA and / or its members.

Regular 45|45 Tourney #3 (over)

Super Admins