First Tournament

Not really.   I've returned to chess after a very, very long layoff.  I discovered I still have a rating.  It is 1124/12 -- which implies I played in 2-3 tournaments a long, long time ago.  I don't remember anything about them.   So, I've been reading about tournaments because I'd like to play in one soon ... I like very structured environments.

Here's something that came to mind as I was looking into results tables, or whatever they are called.  Let's say that I plunk down $50 for a two day tournament, drive three hours away, and get a hotel room.  Three games on Saturday, two on Sunday.  There are an uneven number of players in my section, or whatever you call it.  Here's what happens.

As the lowest ranked player in the lowest section, I am paired out.  So, I don't play and I get a full point.  My second opponent requested and was granted a bye.  I don't play and I get a half point.  My third opponent doesn't show at all so forfeits.  I don't play and I get no points.  Saturday is over.  I haven't played at all and I have 1.5 points.

On Sunday, my fourth opponent withdraws.  I don't play and I don't get a point.  Finally, Sunday afternoon arrives and my opponent has requested a bye -- another half point.  I now have 2.0 points and haven't made one move.  I am not a happy camper and am out a couple hundred dollars.

So, is such a scenario possible?  If I paid to play in a tournament and had more than one game where I did not play, I would be .... well, miffed.  What would the TD do if I came up and shared my opinions?

But the other participants have paid a fee as well and won't want to waste their money either. I've never been in a tournament but if I paid 50 dollars I'd try to make the most of it. 

I've been reviewing results tables from local tournaments and, particularly on Sunday, players who have lost all their matches often withdraw.  They just don't play on Sunday.  Similarly, it is common to see players who take first round byes.

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