CHESS TIE-BREAK

In chess, a tie-break is a series of additional games played to determine the winner in case of a tie in a
tournament or match. Tie-breaks are typically used when the primary games or rounds end in a draw or
when multiple players finish with the same score.

The specific format of tie-breaks can vary depending on the tournament or event. Some common tie-
break systems used in chess include:

Rapid Games: In rapid tie-breaks, the players are given a shorter amount of time to make their moves
compared to the standard time control. For example, each player may be given 25 minutes with an
additional 10 seconds added after each move. Rapid games are often played in a two-game mini-match,
with each player alternating colors.

Blitz Games: Blitz tie-breaks involve even faster time controls, where each player typically has just a few
minutes or less for the entire game. The games are usually played in a mini-match format, similar to
rapid tie-breaks.

Armageddon: The Armageddon tie-break is a single decisive game played between two players. The
player with the higher tie-break ranking or rating gets the advantage of playing with the white pieces
and more time on the clock. In the case of a draw, the player with the black pieces is declared the
winner.

Progressive Score: In some tournaments, a progressive score tie-break system is used. It takes into
account the cumulative score throughout the tournament or event. The player with the highest
progressive score is declared the winner.

Sonneborn-Berger: Sonneborn-Berger is a tie-break method that takes into account the scores of
opponents a player has defeated and their final rankings. It gives more weight to victories against
higher-ranked opponents.

These are just a few examples of tie-break systems used in chess. The choice of tie-break method
depends on the tournament organizers and the specific rules in place.
TIE-BREAK IN SWISS MANAGER

In Swiss Manager, which is a popular software used for organizing and managing chess tournaments, tie-
breaks are used to determine the ranking and pairing of players in case of a tie. Swiss Manager provides
various tie-break systems that can be selected and applied to determine the final standings.

Here are some commonly used tie-break systems in Swiss Manager:

Buchholz: The Buchholz tie-break system calculates the sum of the scores of all opponents that a player
has faced throughout the tournament. It provides an indication of the strength of opponents faced by
each player. The player with the highest Buchholz score is ranked higher in case of a tie.

Sonneborn-Berger: The Sonneborn-Berger tie-break system also considers the scores of opponents
faced by each player. It awards additional points for victories against higher-ranked opponents. The
player with the highest Sonneborn-Berger score is ranked higher in case of a tie.

Median Buchholz: The Median Buchholz tie-break system is a variation of the Buchholz system. It
excludes the highest and lowest opponent scores faced by a player and calculates the sum of the
remaining scores. This tie-break method aims to reduce the influence of extreme results.

Cumulative: The Cumulative tie-break system calculates the cumulative score of each player throughout
the tournament. It provides a simple measure of overall performance. The player with the highest
cumulative score is ranked higher in case of a tie.

Performance: The Performance tie-break system takes into account the rating performance of each
player in the tournament. It calculates a player's expected score based on the ratings of opponents
faced and compares it to the actual score achieved. The player with the highest performance rating is
ranked higher in case of a tie.

These are some of the commonly used tie-break systems available in Swiss Manager. The specific tie-
break system used in a tournament can be determined by the tournament organizers based on their
preferences and the rules of the event.
WHICH TIE-BRAKE THAT FIDE USE IN SWISS MANAGER?

As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, FIDE (the International Chess Federation) has specified a
tie-break system for Swiss Manager in their regulations. According to the FIDE Swiss Rules, the following
tie-break systems are used in FIDE-rated tournaments:

Direct Encounter: The result of the direct encounter between tied players is considered. The player who
won the individual game between the tied players is ranked higher. If the direct encounter was a draw,
this tie-break is not applied.

Buchholz Cut 1: The sum of the scores of opponents faced by each player, excluding the opponent with
the lowest score, is calculated. The player with the highest Buchholz Cut 1 score is ranked higher.

Buchholz: If the tie remains unresolved after applying the Buchholz Cut 1 tie-break, the sum of the
scores of all opponents faced by each player is considered. The player with the highest Buchholz score is
ranked higher.

Sonneborn-Berger: If the tie still persists after the Buchholz tie-break, the Sonneborn-Berger score is
calculated. It is the sum of the scores of opponents faced by each player, with additional points awarded
for victories against higher-ranked opponents. The player with the highest Sonneborn-Berger score is
ranked higher.

If there is still a tie after applying all the above tie-breaks, the regulations may specify further tie-breaks
or additional criteria for determining the final ranking.

It's important to note that the tie-break systems used by FIDE may be subject to change. For the most
up-to-date and specific information on tie-break systems in FIDE-rated tournaments, it's recommended
to refer to the current FIDE Handbook or consult the official FIDE regulations.