PROPOSAL : TIE BREAK REGULATIONS OF ALL INDIA CHESS FEDERATION

Considering the recent changes in the FIDE Tie Break Regulations and observing the impact of current tie-break systems used in championships/tournaments, the Arbiters Commission of All India Chess Federation submitted proposal for changes in tie break regulations of AICF to be implemented with effect from 01 April 2025. Before implementation, the Arbiters Commission is interested to seek the suggestions from the environment about the proposed tie-break systems. Please provide your suggestions along with reasons by email to arbiterscommission@aicf.in by 15 December 2024.

The proposed tie break systems are mentioned below with tie break number in Swiss Manager program:-

Individual Swiss System

1. Direct Encounter (11)

2. Buchholz Cut 1 (84) 

3. Buchholz (84) 

4. Sonneborn Berger (85)

5. Number of Wins (68)

6. Number of wins with black (68)

Individual Round Robin

1. Direct Encounter (11)

2. Sonneborn Berger (85)

3. Number of Wins (68)

4. Tournament Performance Rating (TPR) (88)

5. Number of Games won with black (68)

Team Swiss System

1. Match Points (13)

2. Direct Encounter based on MP (14)

3. Game Points (1)

4. Sonneborn Berger  MP x GP (82) – EMGSB

5. Sonneborn Berger  GP x GP (82) – EGGSB

Proposal for National Championships

In addition to the above, the Arbiter Commission also in the opinion that as the national championship standings are important for qualification for official World/Asian events, play off may be conducted to decide the first three positions {first equal (three players) after tie break are only considered for playoff games} immediately after the final round. The time control will be 3 minutes plus 2 seconds and the colour will be decided after draw of lots. The play off will continue till a decisive result with alternate colour from the previous tie break match. In case of no decisive result after 3 blitz play off matches, the player placed higher in tie break after standard event will be placed higher in ranking.

Illustration for tie break playoff :- If two players are tied for the first position with equal points. Then they will play each other one blitz game with 3 minutes + 2 second increment after deciding colour with draw of lots. If there is decisive result, then winner will be placed first and loser will be placed second. In case of draw, another blitz game will be played with reverse colour and this will continue till there is a decisive result (up to three games). After three playoff games also, if there is no decisive result, the player placed higher in tie break after standard event will be placed higher in ranking.

If three or more players tied for the first position, then only first three players after tie break will play the play off. Players placed 2^nd and 3^rd position will play a knock out tie break game in the same format mentioned above till a winner and the winner of the match will play with first position player in the same manner mentioned above. The winner of this match will be first and loser will be 2^nd and the loser of first knock out match will be placed 3^rd.

However, if there is an outright champion after the standard event, then there will not be any play off to decide 2^nd and 3^rd position even if there is a tie and position as per tie breaks will decide the positions.

The play off tie break is only applicable to Individual National Championships* played under Swiss System.

*There is no embargo for the organizers to conduct play off as first tie break in other FIDE Rated events considering event schedule.