Format:

Due to the risk of a future COVID cluster impacting the schedule for the 2021 Club Championships, the committee has decided to change to a Swiss format for all tournaments by combining divisionsin a way that retains the small group character,

• There will be a number of 9-round Swiss tournaments.
• Tournament 1 will combine two 10-player divisions: Championship and Candidates. Trophies will be awarded to the winners of each division. The winner of the Tournament 1 will be 2021 Club Champion. 
• Tournament 2 will combine two 10-player divisions: Reserves A and Reserves B. Trophies will be awarded to the winners of each division.
• Tournament 3 will combine three 10-player divisions: Reserves C, Reserves D and Reserves E. Trophies will be awarded to the winners of each division.
• Tournament 4 will include players who are not included in the above groups. A trophy will be awarded to the winner.
• Players will be assigned to divisions based on ACF Classic ratings (or where a player does not have an ACF Classic rating, their FIDE Standard rating will be assessed relative to other players' FIDE ratings). Selected juniors may be elevated by one division. 
• The organisers reserve the right to adjust the number of divisions placed into each Tournament and the number of Tournaments based on final entry numbers. 
• Winners of 2019 Club Championship divisions will be offered selection into the next higher division. 

Rating: Results will be submitted for FIDE Standard and ACF Classic rating.

Prizes: A trophy will be awarded to the winner of each division.

Eligibility and entry: 

To enter please complete the membership form @ www.cognitoforms.com/NorthSydneyChessClub/membership

• Current financial members of Norths Chess Club + $15 entry fee (free for GMs, WGMs, IMs and WIMs). 
• Players who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents must have a FIDE ID. 
• Entries close on Friday 5 February 2021.

Time controls:

• Tournaments 1 - 3: 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment per move from move 1. 
• Tournament 4: 60 minutes plus 30 seconds increment per move from move 1.

Draws: The draw will be published on Norths Chess Club website and distributed by email on the Sunday evening prior to each round.

Forfeiture time: One hour after the commencement of the round (at the Arbiter's discretion).

Byes:

• Postponements are not permitted, but up to 2 half-point byes may be requested by each player, excluding the last two rounds. 
• Requests for a half-point bye must be submitted (by emailing northsydneychess@gmail.com or message/call 0414 793 791) no later than 7pm on the Sunday immediately preceding the round. 

Director of Play: Rob Watson

Appeals panel: TBA

Results: Game results should be entered on the draw sheet at the venue. In the case of games played elsewhere email northsydneychess@gmail.com or message/call 0414 793 791.

Analysis of completed games and social chess: A separate section away from the tournament area is set aside for analysis of completed games and social chess. Players must ensure games still underway are not disturbed.

Protocols on player disturbances: Norths Chess Club protocols on player disturbances are set out in notices displayed in the tournament area.

Games data base: Norths Chess Club reserves the right to publish any games played in any tournament organised by the club.

Tiebreaks:

Division ties in Tournaments 1 – 3 will be resolved by applying the following tiebreaks in descending order: