Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
2023 PALARONG PAMBANSA

TECHNICAL GUIDELINES

CHESS TOURNAMENT
(July 2023 Marikina City, Philippines)

1. RULES OF THE GAME

The tournament shall be governed by FIDE Laws of Chess (January

2022) and those stated in the ground rules.

2. ELIGIBILITY

The National Screening and Accreditation Committee (NSAC) shall

evaluate and verify the authenticity of the necessary documents of the
athletes, coaches and chaperons to qualify prior to the schedule of the Palaro.

3. COMPOSITION OF CONTINGENT

3.1 Every region shall have the following composition below.

LEVEL COACH PLAYERS CHAPERON

Elementary boys 1 2
Elementary girls 1 2 *1
Secondary boys 1 2
Secondary girls 1 2 *1
TOTAL 4 8 *2

*If the coach of girls category happen to be a male.

3.1 Number of Participants

Athletes Coaches *chaperons Technical Officials Total

136 68 34 32 270

4. DISQUALIFICATION

4.1 Athletes, coaches and chaperons’ documents failed to comply the

standard implementing rules and regulations set by the National
Screening and Accreditation Committee(NSAC) shall be subject for
disqualification.
 4.2. Disqualification for the conduct of the game

4.2.1 ANTI-CHEATING GUIDELINES of Arbiters Manual

A cheater typically acts and which devices are used for cheating. Typi-
cally, a player can cheat by: i) accepting information by another person
(spectator, captain, co-player, etc.); or ii) getting information from any
source of information or communication (such as books, notes, etc., or
any electronic device). Often a cheater is using a mobile phone hidden in
a pocket. This is forbidden according to Art. 11.3.2.2 of the laws of chess.

5. SPORTS EVENTS/DISCIPLINES

5.1 INDIVIDUAL

Standard Game
Blitz Game

5.1.2 TEAM

Standard Game
Blitz Game

6. CATEGORIES

6.1 There shall be separate championships for the boys and girls in
each division:

Team: STANDARD BLITZ

Secondary – Boys and Girls Secondary – Boys and Girls

Elementary – Boys and Girls Elementary – Boys and Girls

Individual: STANDARD BLITZ

Secondary – Boys and Girls Secondary – Boys and Girls

Elementary – Boys and Girls Elementary – Boys and Girls

7. PLAYING VENUE

7.1 Tournament venue for Palarong Pambansa.

7.1.1 Tournament venue must be air-conditioned with 28 by 15 meters

wide.

7.1.2 The tournament hall must be free from extraneous noise.

7.1.3 There should be a minimum of 2.5 meters between rows of play-

ers.
 Recommended tournament hall design (Please refer to Diagram)

TOURNAMENT HALL/VENUE

RECORDER RECORDER
 7.2 Equipment

7.2.1 The Chess Tables and chairs

For all official tournament, the length of the table is 2.2 me-
ters. The width is .85 meter. The height of the table is .74 meter.
The chairs should be comfortable for the players. Special dispensa-
tion should be given for children’s events.

Any noise when moving the chairs must be avoided.

No
. Quantity Unit Item Description
(Table) Length=2.2 meters
1 45 pcs Width= .85 meter
Height=.74 meter
2 250 pcs Mono block chairs
Table Cloth 3m x 1.5m per
3 45 pcs
length

7.2.2 Chess Equipment

No
. Quantity Unit Item Description
The Official Clock of the
1 72 pcs World Chess Federation,
DGT
Tournament chess set (EU-
2 72 sets REKA), 72 pieces (with 2 ex-
tra queens), chess board
Analog Wall clock 34 cm x
3 2 pcs
34 cm

7.2.3 Supplies and Materials

No
. Quantity Unit Item Description
1 136 pcs Double (AA) battery, Energizer
2 36 pcs Clipboard
3 36 pcs Ballpen
4 12 pcs Pencil
 5 12 pcs Sign Pen , Blue color, 0.6
6 4 pcs HD-35 Stapler
7 2 pcs HD Puncher
8 2 boxes Staple No. 35
9 5 pcs Correction Tape
10 4 bottles Elmers Glue, big
Clear Plastic Binding Cover (for table
11 200 pcs
name frame)
12 5 bottles Epson 664, BLACK
13 3 bottles Epson 664, MAGENTA
14 3 bottles Epson 664, BLUE
15 3 bottles Epson 664, CYAN
16 4 pc Cartridge, Cannon 810 Black
17 4 pc Cartridge, Cannon, 811 Colored
18 5 reams Bond Paper, Long size
19 5 reams Bond Paper, short size
20 10 reams Bond Paper, A4 size
21 5 packs Photo Paper, double sided,A4, 120 GSM
22 5 packs Photo Paper Adhesive, A4
23 2 pcs USB, 32GB
24 2 boxes Paper Clip (Jumbo)
25 24 pcs Paper Holder Clip, big
26 50 pcs Folder, White
27 50 pcs Envelop, Expandable
28 5 pcs Highlighter (different colors)
29 3 pcs Heavy Duty Cutter Knife (Big)
30 2 pcs Steel Ruler, 30 cm
31 10 rolls masking tape 2"
32 5 pcs scotch tape 2”
33 1 Box Rubber Band, Big
34 5 packs Face Masks
35 10 bottles Alcohol
36 2 pack Garbage bag, Jumbo

8. OFFICIALS

Qualified Technical Officials must be below 55 years old and passers of

DepEd accreditation for officiating officials.

9. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
 Tournament Tournament
Manager Consultant

Evaluator Tournament
Secretary

Asst. TM

Documenter Pairing
Specialist Chief Arbiter

Deputy Chief Arbiter Deputy Chief Arbiter

for Elementary for Secondary

ARBITERS ARBITERS

ATHLETES ATHLETES

COACHES

The Sports Manager

1. Must be an Accredited Technical Officiating Officials of Dep-Ed.
2. In-Charge in hiring the tournament technical officiating officials.
3. Decides for venue, prepares the equipment and materials, needed for
the tournament.
4. Give briefing to the technical officials of their functions and
responsibilities. Makes a post games analysis /evaluation.
5. Oversee the proper course of the tournament, thus to ensure the
players comfort during the game and supervise the work of his
Technical Staff with regards to their duties and responsibilities.
6. Review the decision made by the technical committee (Jury of Appeal),
in case of an appeal or protest made. His decision will be final an
executory based on the merit, consultation presented by the technical
committee.
7. Create the jury of appeal before the start of the tournament.

The Assistant Tournament Manager

1. Assist tournament manager in running the competition.
2. An alter ego of the Tournament Director/Manager.
3. Perform all other work-related duties as assigned by the Tournament
Manager.
The Tournament Secretary
1. Must be an Accredited Dep-Ed Technical Officials.
2. The only person allowed to give information to the media upon the
approval of the Tournament Manager.
3. Keeps all the records of the tournament, round by round in all division.

The Pairing Specialist

1. Must be a Dep-Ed Accredited Technical Officiating Official/Titled
Arbiter in NCFP.
2. Must be a computer literate, and in-charge in making PAIRING and
Round Result (computer print-out) and submit it to the Tournament
Secretary/Chief Recorder for verification and approval.
3. Work hand in hand with the Tournament Secretary.

The Documenter
1. Must be an Accredited Dep-Ed Technical Officials.
2. Prepare and Maintain quality records of documents of the entire du-
ration of the Palaro.
3. Prepare narrative reports after the administration of the Palaro.

The Chief Arbiter

1. Must be an Accredited Technical Officiating Officials of Dep-Ed/Titled
Arbiter in NCFP.
2. Responsible for the technical management of the tournament, in-
charge of the preparation of ground rules.
3. Appoints his Deputies.
4. Interpret the Fide Laws, Ground Rules and will give briefing to his
Deputies and Arbiters for such interpretation and implementation.
5. In-charge in forming the Appeals Committee as the chairman, and will
received the Bond deposit for any protest made.

The Deputy Chief Arbiter

1. Must be an Accredited Technical Officials of Dep-Ed.
2. To assist the Chief Arbiter.
3. Solely in charge in division assigned.
4. Implement the Fide Laws and Ground Rules as prescribe by the
tournament committee.
5. See to it that participants are well informed with their duties and re-
sponsibilities by reading the ground rules.
6. Announce/ Post the schedule of games.
7. In-charge in giving the pairing 30 minutes before the start of the game.

The Arbiters
1. Must be a Dep-Ed Accredited Technical Officials.
2. Assist the Deputy Chief Arbiter.
3. Supervised to the number of player/tables assigned. Check color
allocation for each player.
4. Implement the Ground Rules/Fide Laws as prescribed by the
tournament committee.
5. Checks the chess clocks before the start of the game.
The Consultant
1. Provides advice to the tournament management to solve problems, cre-
ate value, improve growth, and maximize performance efficiency.
2. Prepares recommendations on tournament improvement and innova-
tion.

The Evaluator
1. Provide constructive and encouraging feedback that helps the arbiters
to improve their skills and confidence in arbitration.
2. Assess and evaluate the performance of the arbiters during the tourna-
ment.
3. Prepare consolidated reports of the arbiters’ evaluation.

10. PROTEST, PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS

10.1 Any Appeal or Protest on the decision of the Chief Arbiter on a point
of Fact shall be submitted duly signed by the player, the team Coach
and Regional School Sports Representative (Athletic Manager) in
writing not more than 30 minutes (standard) and 10 minutes (blitz)
after the conclusion of the game in Question.
10.2 The members of the appeals committee for the boys division are the
coaches of the top five (5) rank teams of the girls division before the
start of the round in question and vice-versa.
10.2.1 If a committee member is from the same division of the
involved party the next team in rank shall take his/her
place, and so on.
10.2.2 All deliberations of the appeals committee shall be
presided by the NSA Representative and Tournament
Manager of who shall have no voting power.
10.2.3 The decision of the Appeals Committee on a point of fact is
final.

11. CONDUCT OF THE COMPETITION

11.1 The game format

INDIVIDUAL
Standard Game 7 Rounds 1hr. and 30 sec. Increment/Player
Blitz Game 7 Rounds 3min. and 2 sec. Increment/Player

*Individual Championship – The standing of the players after the end of

the competition and tie-breaks.

TEAM
Standard Game: total score of player 1 and player 2 of the team based
on the results of the individual event
Blitz Game: total score of player 1 and player 2 of the team based
on the results of the individual event

*Team Championship – Total scores of 2 players in the Region.

*A Region/Team with one player can play for individual event only and
shall not qualify in the Team Event.
11.1.1 The Individual Swiss System (7 rounds) with Team Results
shall be adopted.
11.1.2 The Swiss Manager Pairing Program shall be used. Pairing
according to starting rank.
Note: Protest in pairing shall not be entertained.
11.1.3 Schedule of Games
1st day: Blitz Event (AM) [seven (7) rounds], Standard Event
(PM) [Round 1]. 2nd day onward (Continuation): Standard
Event [seven (7) rounds] (the number of games per day shall
be 1-2-2-2).
*See attached SCHEDULE OF GAMES.
11.1.4The initial ranking of players will be based on the latest NCFP
rating lists, unrated players will be ranked alphabetically.
11.1.5Use of chess clock is compulsory.
11.1.6Players shall be required to present their PALARO ID’s before
the start of each round. USE OF UNIFORMS SHALL BE
MANDATORY ON THE 1ST AND LAST ROUND.
11.1.7Players, coaches and spectators are not allowed to make post
games analysis, play against each other coaches, spectators,
and players or discuss finished or unfinished games within the
playing area.
11.1.8Players are not allowed to eat inside the playing area while the
game is in progress.
11.1.9Players who have finished their games shall arrange the chess
pieces and vacate the playing area after signing their score
sheets and submit it to designated tournament officials.
11.1.10 Players must observe proper dress code while playing. The
following are prohibited:
a. Use of slippers b. Using Short Pants/Sandos

11.2 REGULATIONS

A. STANDARD CHESS
1. Time control shall be one (1) hour with thirty (30) seconds
increment per move to finish the game using the digital
clock.
2. Recording of moves in algebraic notation is mandatory
throughout the game. Violation of this rules shall be
considered as an offense:
3. Illegal moves
Wrong movement of piece; exposing the King to an
attack; King remaining under check; capturing the
opponent’s King; using two hands in making a move; non-
replacement of piece after pawn promotion; and
 pressing the clock without making a move.

Penalties
1st offense plus 2 minutes to the opponent’s time
2nd offense loss of the game

4. Infringement:
Infringements made by a player such as: displacement of
pieces on the chess board, use of force in pressing the clock
& non-recording of moves shall be penalized as follows:

1st & 2nd offense oral warning

3rd offense plus 2 minutes to the opponent’s time
4th offense loss of the game

5. The defaulting time is 30 minutes after the official start of

each round. The wall clock inside the playing area shall be
the official clock during the tournament.
6. In the final round, players from the same Region/Team who
have scored more than 50% (3.5 or more points), will not be
paired against each other.

B. BLITZ CHESS
1. Time control shall be three (3) minutes with two (2)
seconds increment per move to finish the game using the
digital clock.

2. Illegal moves
Wrong movement of piece; exposing the King to an
attack; King remaining under check; capturing the
opponent’s King; using two hands in making a move; non-
replacement of piece after pawn promotion; and pressing
the clock without making a move.

Penalties:
1st offense plus 1 minute to the opponent’s time
2nd offense loss of the game

3. Infringement: Infringements made by a player such as:

displacement of pieces on the chess board & use of force in
pressing the clock shall be penalized as follows:

1st & 2nd offense oral warning

3rd offense plus 1 minute to the opponent’s time
4th offense loss of the game

C. GAME POINTS SCORING SYSTEM

 A player is credited 1 point for a win, .5 for a draw, and 0
for a loss.
D. IRREGULARITIES AND PENALTIES

1. Mobile phones and other means of electronic communications

are strictly prohibited inside the playing area. A player who
will violate this rule shall lose his/her game.
2. A team whose member is giving unsolicited advice or
assistance to his teammate while the games are in progress
shall lose their match.

E. COLATILLA

All other matters not covered in this rules shall be decided by

the Organizer (Chess Tournament Committee).

12. DETERMINATION OF WINNERS

TIE-BREAKS
The following Tie-Break systems (in descending order of priority) shall
be applied to determine the final ranking.

a. INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
i. Direct Encounter
ii. Buchholz System
iii. Median Buchholz System
iv. S.B. System
v. Greater number of victories (Forfeits Counted)

b. TEAM RESULTS
i. Combined Buchholz Tie Breaks of the members of the Team
ii. Combined Median Buchholz Tie Breaks of the members of the
Team
iii. Combined S.B. Tie Breaks of the members of the Team
iv. Combined Greater Number of Victories of the members of the
Team
v. Score of the player with the highest number of points.
c. A sudden death match (Armageddon) shall be played to resolve
the tie if ties still occurs after applying all the tie breaks.

13. MEDALS TO BE CONTESTED

STANDARD EVENT
INDIVIDUAL GOLD SILVER BRONZE TEAM GOLD SILVER BRONZE
ELEMENTARY GIRLS 1 1 1 ELEMENTARY GIRLS 1 1 1
ELEMENTARY BOYS 1 1 1 ELEMENTARY BOYS 1 1 1
SECONDARY GIRLS 1 1 1 SECONDARY GIRLS 1 1 1
SECONDARY BOYS 1 1 1 SECONDARY BOYS 1 1 1
TOTAL 4 4 4 TOTAL 4 4 4
 BLITZ EVENT
INDIVIDUAL GOLD SILVER BRONZE TEAM GOLD SILVER BRONZE
ELEMENTARY GIRLS 1 1 1 ELEMENTARY GIRLS 1 1 1
ELEMENTARY BOYS 1 1 1 ELEMENTARY BOYS 1 1 1
SECONDARY GIRLS 1 1 1 SECONDARY GIRLS 1 1 1
SECONDARY BOYS 1 1 1 SECONDARY BOYS 1 1 1
TOTAL 4 4 4 TOTAL 4 4 4

Summary
GOLD SILVER BRONZE
16 16 16

14. NUMBER OF MEDALS TO BE AWARDED

STANDARD EVENT

INDIVIDUAL GOLD SILVER BRONZE TEAM GOLD SILVER BRONZE

ELEMENTARY GIRLS 1 1 1 ELEMENTARY GIRLS 2 2 2
ELEMENTARY BOYS 1 1 1 ELEMENTARY BOYS 2 2 2
SECONDARY GIRLS 1 1 1 SECONDARY GIRLS 2 2 2
SECONDARY BOYS 1 1 1 SECONDARY BOYS 2 2 2
TOTAL 4 4 4 TOTAL 8 8 8

BLITZ EVENT
INDIVIDUAL GOLD SILVER BRONZE TEAM GOLD SILVER BRONZE
ELEMENTARY GIRLS 1 1 1 ELEMENTARY GIRLS 2 2 2
ELEMENTARY BOYS 1 1 1 ELEMENTARY BOYS 2 2 2
SECONDARY GIRLS 1 1 1 SECONDARY GIRLS 2 2 2
SECONDARY BOYS 1 1 1 SECONDARY BOYS 2 2 2
TOTAL 4 4 4 TOTAL 8 8 8

Summary
GOLD SILVER BRONZE
24 24 24

15. GAME SCHEDULE

Day 1
May 3, 2020)
OPENING CEREMONY/CEREMONIAL MOVE 8:00AM

BLITZ EVENT
 Round 1 9:30 AM Round 5 10:50 AM
Round 2 9:50 AM Round 6 11:10 AM
Round 3 10:10 AM Round 7 11:30AM
Round 4 10:30 AM Awarding 12:00NN

STANDARD EVENT

Round 1 2:00 PM

Day 2
April 30, 2019)
Round 2 9:00 AM Round 3 2:00 PM

Day 3
May 1, 2019)
Round 4 9:00 AM Round 5 2:00 PM

Day 4(
May 3, 2019)
Round 6 9:00 PM Round 7 2:00 PM

Awarding: 5:30 PM

Day 5 (May 4, 2019) CLOSING CEREMONY

16. SAFETY STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS

a. Coaches, Chaperons and Athletes must be vaccinated.

b. Computer tables and chairs must be set up in compliance with the safety standards and
protocols, at least 1 to 2 meters apart to maintain social distancing.
c. Players are required to wear face mask during the game, disinfectants must be readily
available to each player per table.
d. Signs and reminders must be posted and provided to remind the people about social dis-
tancing and the prescribed health protocols.
e. There must be a presence of Facility Safety Officials / Medical Team.
 f. Only the players and officials are allowed to enter the playing venue / room.
No spectators allowed inside the playing venue.
g. Avoid touching of face, mouth and nose before, during and after play.
h. Social distancing strictly enforced
i. No handshake and all physical contact policy.
j. In between rounds, the officials will disinfect the equipment and surrounding area be-
fore the next round.

17. CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

1. The tournament management aims to ensure that the special protec-
tion from all all forms of abuses, exploitations, violence, discrimina-
tions, bullying and other forms of abuse is necessary for the child’s
well-being especially in sports.

2. Develop a sports-based monitoring system in preventing abuses.

3. Monitor and maintain positive measures in providing the necessary

support for the children.

4. Coordinate with Child Protection Desk assigned in the area.

Prepared by:

NA JUN TAYUAN UKA

FIDE No. 5229120
Sports Manager-CHESS