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question about arbiters

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soccerscience24

How many arbiters are suggested for a 100 player chess tournament? Of course the more the better, but what is the minimum that is normally needed to allow the event to run smoothly?

brfc

As an arbiter myself, the one arbiter would be under a ton of pressure to manage 100 people. 2 would be adequate for a congress, and for a rapidplay you'd need 2 good arbiters for them to cope with taking in results and pairing in that short time. Trust me, doing a 70 man rapidplay on your own is a nightmare!!! I've been through it. 

In summary, if congress, if you can really only have 1 arbiter, then perhaps you could get away with it. But I would strongly suggest 2.

Also, the players don't know the rules as well as you think! The amount of times people have promoted a pawn incorrectly is amazing, and how many people ask for a 10.2 claim. Makes me shiver inside xD

soccerscience24
echecs06 wrote:

One is plenty enough. In OTB tourneys, players are pretty well aware of the rules, litigation is rare and most of the time, easy to resolve. Appeals are well stipulated in the rules and regulations of every serious tourney.


Im sure that most players who are present are pretty well aware of the rules, but since this particular tournament will be taking place at a university, this will likely be the first tournament for many players which might pose a bit of a challenge at least in the beginning rounds.

Puchiko

Ouch. I'd then recommend one certified main arbiter, and some (2-4) expirienced players to help out both with rulings as well as taking in results, inputting them into a computer, and pairings. And of course, a short clarification of rules before the first round is a must in this case,

soccerscience24
MountainMayhem wrote:

Gents, the answers are coming from different perspectives. The OP didn't specify whether he was organizing a FIDE tournament or a USCF tournament, or whether the tourney was rated at all! In USCF, the players call their own flags and there are a few other differences in how the rules are applied. Those specifics determine the best answer among many.

OP, can you clarify?


right, my mistake. this will not be a FIDE or USCF rated tournament (although the standard rapidplay (20min) rules will apply). as for it being rated at all, I believe the particular swiss system program gives an approximate elo range upon the end of the last round.

I think Puchiko has the right ballpark. though to respond to brfc, i may tuck away 10.2 after just reading it :P. thank you everyone for your input