Greater Cleveland Chess

Tournament players are expected to attach the greatest importance to fair play and good sportsmanship.

Players are expected to conform to normal grooming standards and to be free of body odors. 

Please request byes or withdrawals well in advance - at least one hour before the start of the round.
 

Advance requests will be confirmed by email to bob.scaccia@greaterclevelandchess.com. Your request is not complete until you receive a receipt.
 

Same-day withdrawals and byes must be confirmed directly with the Tournament Director in the office. 

 Per USCF rule 22C5: If the director agrees, a player may cancel an irrevocable half-point bye under the condition that if the player wins, the result will be treated as a draw for prize purposes.
 

The TD has the discretion to accept or deny a request to cancel a bye without providing an explanation. 

USCF rule 20N states: Without permission of the Arbiter/TD a player is forbidden to have a mobile phone or other electronic means of communication in the playing venue, unless they are completely switched off.
 

For FIDE events: The penalty for a phone ringing or otherwise disturbing play is the immediate loss of the game.
 

For USCF events (that are not FIDE rated): A warning and a time penalty will be issued for a first offense. A second offense will result in the immediate loss of the game.
 

The TD may request that a player leaves his or her device(s) in the club office for the duration of an event. If the player refuses, the TD has the right to withdraw the player from the remainder of the tournament without a refund.
 

Punishment for forfeit of games is $30, payable before registration to another event. Repeat offenders will lose tournament privileges! If we are unable to rate an event due to an expired USCF membership, a $30 penalty will also apply. 

 If there is a dispute, players should pause their clock and get the TD immediately.
 

Players should report errors with recorded results, or other issues, by email to bob.scaccia@greaterclevelandchessclub.com.

 USCF rule 20N1 states that the TD has the right to impose penalties on players and non-participating spectators who are disturbing play.
 

After a noise warning has been issued, the TD reserves the right to eject any player or non-participating spectator (i.e. a club member or guest) from the tournament (without a refund) and from the club premises.
 

Repeat offenders may be subject to a suspension from the club.

We permit prospective new members (who have never been to the club before) a visit to an event at Greater Cleveland Chess. Guests are required to visit the registration table. 

Parents and/or guardians of scholastic members (under age 18) are permitted to accompany their child to the club and to be on its premises. 

Players are expected to follow all scorekeeping rules. In events with a 30 second increment, scoresheets need to up-to-date at all times.
 

Per USCF rule 15C, in games without an increment players may stop notating once either players clock goes below 5 minutes.
 

Per FIDE laws, players do NOT have to notate in FIDE rated rapid events. .