Financial regulation

Frequency

1. A tournament for the Asian Cities Championship shall be organized once in two years by one of the affiliated chess federation in Zones 3.1 to 3.7 to be designated by the Continental Assembly, if possible two years before the event is to take place.

Participation

2. Participation in the Asian Cities Championship is open to all affiliated chess federations in Zones 3.1 to 3.7.

2.1 Team Composition: 4 players plus 1 reserve (including captain)

2.2 Each member federation shall have the right to send one team representing one city.

2.3 A national federation can participate with more than one team according to the following cases:

2.3.1 If the number of participating teams is less than 36, the organizing federation will give priority to participating federations in the order of confirmation of entry by admitting one additional city for each federation.

2.3.2 If after application of 2.3.1 above, the number of teams is still less than 36, a third city will be accepted per federation in the order of confirmation of participation.

2.3.3 If the number of registered teams is 36, a national federation can participate with a maximum of three teams.

2.3.4 The organizing federation shall have the right to participate with a maximum of four teams. They cannot, however, add a fifth team in case an odd number of teams participate.

2.4 Eligibility - all players, including reserves, are required to have been members of their national federation for at least one year.

Organization

3. The Asian Chess President represents the interests of the Continent and is empowered to take the final decision on all questions relating to the Championship as a whole.

3.1 At least six months before the beginning of the tournament the organizing federation shall submit to the Continental President for Asia a draft invitation and any special conditions for approval.

Invitation

4. At least four months before the beginning of the tournament the organizing federation shall send invitations together with other special regulations, if any, as approved by the Continental President for Asia, to all affiliated federations in Zones 3.1 to 3.7.

4.1 Copies of the invitation are to be sent to the Continental President for Asia and the Presidents of Zones 3.1 to 3.7.

Confirmation of Entry

5. At least two months before the beginning of the tournament each federation accepting the invitation shall send its entry to the organizing federation with copies to the Continental President for Asia and the relevant Zone President.

Entry Fees

6. Each participating federation shall pay the stipulated entry fee as contained in the Asian Chess Federation financial regulations to the organizing federation upon confirmation of entry.

Expenses

7. Traveling costs shall be the responsibility of the participating cities.

7.1 Living expenses shall be the responsibility of the organizing federation for up to one team per country, except that it will be up to the organizing federation whether or not it will accept a non-playing chief of delegation as a sixth member of the team for each city and provide him with the facilities on the same basis as guaranteed for the five playing members.

7.2 The organizing federation shall provide the playing facilities and make suitable arrangement for board and accommodation.

7.3 Playing conditions shall conform to the Recommendations for the Organization of Top-level Tournaments, C.01.

Duration of the Championship

8. Not exceeding 15 days including days of arrival and departure.

Submission of Team Lists

9. At least one month before the start of the tournament, each participating federation shall notify the organizers of the following details:

Name of the participating city.

Name and initials of the Chief of Delegation.

Name and initials of the Team Captain.

Name and initials of each player (indicate ID number in Rating List, if applicable)

FIDE rating of each player (most recent FIDE Rating List)

Any information required in connection with visas.

Biodata/photo of each team member, if possible.

Tournament Regulations

10. Laws of Chess - The FIDE Laws of Chess shall apply. The following specific regulations for the Asian Cities Chess Team Championship shall also be in force.

11. System of Play

11.1 The tournament shall be run on an all-play-all basis where each team shall play one match against every other team. However, if circumstances make this impossible, then a 9-round Swiss System shall be employed (controlled Swiss System pairings).

11.2 Each match between teams shall be played over four boards.

11.3 Each team shall comprise 4 to 5 players who shall be listed in a fixed board order (1-5) by the team captain at the beginning of the tournament. This board order may not be changed during the tournament. The penalty for every deviation from the correct sequence in any round is one game point. Example: 1-5-4-2, two points shall be forfeited in the match. The use of any player who does not appear in the overall list shall cause that round to be forfeited 4:0.

11.4 Time Control

The time limit is 90 minutes for the whole game with an addition of 30 seconds per move starting from move one. The games shall be played using the DGT clocks

11.5 Scoring

Each team`s place in the order of classification shall be decided by the number of match points it has scored.

The position of teams that finish with the same number of match points shall be determined by application of the following tie-breaking procedures in sequence, proceeding from (a) to (b) to (c) to the extent required:

a. by the number of the game points scored;

b. by Direct Encounter

c. by the sum of Sonneborn-Berger points, which are calculated as follows:

match points of each opponent, excluding the opponent who scored the lowest number of match points, multiplied by the number of game points achieved against this opponent;

c. by the sum of the match points of all the teams opponents, excluding the lowest one.

For tie-break purposes a bye or an unplayed match - if the opponent team does not appear on time – are counted as a drawn match against the team itself.

11.6 Challenge Trophy - The winning city in the Asian Cities Chess Championship shall be awarded custody of the Dubai Cup.

11.6.1 This Challenge Trophy is property of the Asian Chess Federation  and shall be insured by the federation to which it was awarded. Should it be lost, a replacement is to be made of the same design.

11.6.2 The Challenge Trophy is to be competed for at each successive championship. It cannot be acquired in perpetuity and must be returned to the FIDE President or his nominee on demand.

12. Prizes and Souvenirs - The organizers should award suitable prizes and souvenirs to at least the top three teams.

Arbiters

13. The FIDE Continental President for Asia, after consultations with the organizing federation, shall nominate the Chief Arbiter and other Arbiters.

13.1 The Chief Arbiter may, in consultation with the Asian Chess Federation, and with the approval of the Continental President, issue additional written regulations to inform the exact playing hours and take care of other details not covered by these regulations.

Appeals Committee

14. Before the beginning of the tournament an Appeals Committee shall be selected.

14.1 The Chairman of the Appeals Committee shall be nominated by the Continental President in consultation with the organizing federation. The Committee shall be composed of five members and two reserves, all from different Federations, chosen from among the representatives of national federations present.

14.2 Protests, including protests against decisions of the Chief Arbiter or his assistants, must be submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Appeals Committee within one hour after completion of the playing session.

14.3 A protest shall be submitted with an accompanying fee of $100 or its equivalent in local currency. If the protest is upheld, the protest fee will be returned otherwise it shall be forfeited to the organizing federation.

14.4 No member of the Appeals Committee shall have the right to vote on any matter concerning his own federation. However, every member is entitled to participate in the discussions.

14.5 The decision of the Appeals Committee is final, binding and takes effect immediately.

14.6 The Appeals Committee shall keep a record of all proceedings and submit a final report to the Continental President at the end of the tournament.

Reports

15. On completion of the tournament, the Chief Arbiter shall deliver to the Continental President an official written report on the course of the tournament with supporting documents, if appropriate. Copies of these reports are to be extended to the organizing federation.

15.1 Within two weeks after the closing ceremony, the organizing federation shall submit a rating report to FIDE.

15.2 Within four weeks after the closing ceremony, the organizing federation shall present the Continental President for Asia with a general report on the proceedings.

Frequency

1. A tournament for the Asian Juniors (and Girls U-20) Championship will be organized each year by one of the affiliated chess federations in Zones 3.1 to 3.7, to be designated by the Continental Assembly, if possible two years before the event is to take place.

Participants

2. Entitled to participate are chess players from the federations in Zones 3.1 to 3.7 who shall not have reached the age of 20 by January 1st of the year in which the tournament will commence.

3. The players placed 1-3 in the previous Championship and the current Asian Boys (Girls) -18 champions will have a personal right to participate in the tournament if they fulfill the condition of Article 2.

4. In addition to the players mentioned in Article 3, each affiliated federation in Zones 3.1 to 3.7 will have the right to send one representative. The organizing federation shall have a second place in the tournament, and holds a player in reserve to make an even number of participants, if necessary.

5. Additional (extra) players per category from national Federations can also be registered subject to payment of the entry fee per player in advance; and payment of the full board and lodging of the additional player(s) to the organizing federation.

Organization

6. The Asian Chess President represents the interests of the Continent and is empowered to take the final decision on all questions relating to the Championship as a whole.

6.1 At least four months before the beginning of the tournament the organizing federation will send an invitation to all affiliated federations in Zones 3.1 to 3.7.

6.2 The letter of invitation shall be approved by the Continental President for Asia.

6.3 Copies of the invitation shall be sent to him, to the FIDE President, and to the Presidents of Zones 3.1 to 3.7.

7. At least two months before the beginning of the tournament each federation accepting the invitation shall send its entry to the organizing federation.

7.1 Copies of the entry shall be sent to the Continental President for Asia and to the President of the Zone to which the Federation belongs.

7.2 The entry fee stipulated in the Financial Regulations shall be paid through the organizing federation.

Playing Schedule

8. The tournament will be a 9-round Swiss System.

Playing Conditions

9. The tournament will be played according to the Rules of Play of FIDE.

10. The time limit is 90 minutes for the whole game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1. The games shall be played using the DGT clocks.

Chief Arbiter and his Assistants

11. The Continental President for Asia will - after consultation with the organizing federation - nominate the Chief Arbiter, as well as the necessary assistant arbiters and other officials.

11.1 The Chief Arbiter may, in consultation with the Asian Chess Federation, and with the approval of the Continental President, issue additional written regulations to inform the exact playing hours and take care of other details not covered by these regulations.

12. Protests, including protests against decisions of the Chief Arbiter or his assistants, must be submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Appeals Committee within one hour after completion of the playing session.  A protest shall be submitted with an accompanying fee of $100 or its equivalent in local currency. If the protest is upheld, the protest fee will be returned otherwise it shall be forfeited to the organizing federation.

Appeals Committee

13 The Chairman of the Appeals Committee shall be nominated by the Continental President in consultation with the organizing federation. The Committee shall be composed of five members and two reserves, all from different Federations, chosen from among the representatives of national federations present.

13.1 No member of the committee will have the right to decide on questions concerning his own federation. In such cases the member concerned will have the right only to partake in the discussions in the committee.

Designation of the Winner

14. The order of the players is determined according to the number of points obtained.

If at the end of the tournament two or more players are tied, the tie shall be broken by the tiebreak systems in the following order:

a)      Direct Encounter.

b)      The greater number of wins.

c)      Buchholz

d)     Buchholz Cut 1, Cut 2, etc.

14.1 In case the above does not produce a decision, the players remaining tied will be proclaimed joint winners of the title Asian Junior Champion.

15. (GA `93) The Asian Junior (Girls U-20) Champion shall be awarded the title (Woman) International Master. (cf. B.01 Art. 1.2.) Clear first place is equivalent to a 9-rd (Woman) Grandmaster result. (cf. B.01 Art. 1.2.)

15.1 (GA `93) The Asian Junior (Girls U-20) Champion will have the personal right to participate in the World Junior (Girls) Championship if he/she has not exceeded the age limit in the meantime. This privilege may be exercised only once. (cf. World Junior Regulations D.VI.01 Art. 3.)

Financial Regulations and Prizes

16. The traveling expenses of the participants are to be paid by their national federations while board and lodging will be provided by the organizing federation. Entry fees according to the Asian Chess Federation Financial Regulations must be sent to the organizing federation.

17 Before the beginning of the tournament a list of prizes shall be published together with other prizes to be awarded, and the conditions to be met for winning them.

17.1 Moreover, the organizing federation shall award a gold-plated medal to the winner (or winners) of the title Asian Junior (Girls) Champion, a silver-plated medal to the player who took second place and a bronze medal to the player who took third place.

Reports

18. On completion of the tournament, the Chief Arbiter shall deliver to the Continental President an official written report on the course of the tournament with supporting documents, if appropriate. Copies of these reports are to be extended to the organizing federation.

19. Within two weeks after the closing ceremony, the organizing federation shall submit a rating report to FIDE.

20. Within four weeks after the closing ceremony, the organizing federation shall present the Continental President for Asia with a general report on the proceedings.

Frequency

1. The Asian Senior (Women) Championship shall be organized annually under the aegis of the Asian Chess Federation by a federation entrusted with the task by the Continental Assembly if possible at least one year in advance.

Participation

2. The participant must have reached his 55th birthday (for women’s championship, 50th birthday) on January 1st of the year in which the tournament is held. For example, each participant in the 2010 Championship must be born on or before 01.01.55 (for women 01.01.60).

3. The Asian Senior Championship is an open tournament for players registered by their federation. FIDE member federations in Asia shall have the right to send as many players as they wish. (There shall be a separate Women’s Championship if there are ten women from at least four zones. Each zone shall receive a free place for women.

4. At least six months before the beginning of the Championship, the organizing federation shall send an invitation to all FIDE member federations in Asia. The invitation shall be approved by the Continental President. Copies of the invitation are to be sent to the Zone Presidents.

5. At least two months before the beginning of the Championship each participant shall register his entry with the organizing committee. The birth date of each participant must be given and must correspond with the birth date given in his passport or other travel document.

Playing Schedule

6. The championship shall be played in 9 rounds of the Swiss system. It shall be played according to FIDE Regulations.

7. The time control shall be 90 minutes for the first 40 moves followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1.

Chief Arbiter and his Assistants

8. The Continental President shall appoint the Chief Arbiter after consultation with the organizing federation. The organizing federation shall appoint as many Deputy and Assistant Arbiters as necessary.

8.1 The Chief Arbiter may, in consultation with the Asian Chess Federation, and with the approval of the Continental President, issue additional written regulations to inform the exact playing hours and take care of other details not covered by these regulations.

9. A protest against the decision of an Arbiter must be submitted in writing to the Chief Arbiter, within one hour after the end of the playing session.

Appeals Committee

10. Before the beginning of the first round, an Appeals Committee shall be elected by the players. The Appeals Committee shall consist of three members and two reserves, and shall represent five different federations. No member of the Appeals Committee shall take part in a decision affecting a player of his own federation.

Designation of the Winner

11. The final ranking order of the players is determined by the number of points scored. If at the end of the tournament two or more players are tied for the first place, the tie shall be broken as follows:

a)      Direct Encounter.

b)      The greater number of wins.

c)      Buchholz

d)     Buchholz Cut 1, Cut 2, etc.

Financial Regulations

12. To promote the event, registration for the Asian Senior (Women) Championship, is free.

13. The players` traveling costs will be met by themselves or by their national federations.

14. The organizer shall provide free board and lodging (single rooms with bath and/or shower) for at least one player of each zone and for the Chief Arbiter. The Zonal Presidents are entitled to nominate these hosted players.

15. All players aside from those hosted, and the accompanying persons shall pay the expenses for board and lodging themselves. The organizing federation shall offer reasonable and favorably priced accommodation and shall state the daily costs.

Prizes

16. Before the beginning of the first round, a list of the prizes to be awarded to the highest placed participants, including special prizes, shall be published together with the rules for their award. The organizing committee shall also award Gold, Silver and Bronze medals to the players taking the first three places in the Championship.

16.1 The prize fund shall be at least $5,000 combined for Seniors and Women.

General Provisions

17. The Asian Chess President represents the interests of the Continent and is empowered to take the final decision on all questions relating to the Championship as a whole.

18. The organizing committee shall insure the participants against accidents and the need for medical services including cost of medicines in case of acute illnesses, surgical operations, etc. The organizing committee shall not be responsible for medical services needed for treatment of chronic or other illnesses which already existed before the start of the Championship.

Reports

19. On completion of the tournament, the Chief Arbiter shall deliver to the Continental President an official written report on the course of the tournament with supporting documents, if appropriate. Copies of these reports are to be extended to the organizing federation.

19.1 Within two weeks after the closing ceremony, the organizing federation shall submit a rating report to FIDE.

19.2 Within four weeks after the closing ceremony, the organizing federation shall present the Continental President for Asia with a general report on the proceedings.

Frequency

1. A tournament for the Asian Nations Cup Team Championship will be organized once in two years (odd) by one of the affiliated chess federations in Zones 3.1 to 3.7 to be designated if possible two years before the event is to take place.

Participation

2. All chess federations in Zones 3.1 to 3.7 shall have the right to participate in the Asian Nations Cup Team Championship.

2.1 Team Composition

Each federation shall have the right to be represented by a men’s team of four players and one reserve and by a women’s team of four players and one reserve.

2.2 The Captain may be a player or a reserve.

2.3 The Chief of Delegation represents the federation and takes full responsibility for the conduct of members of its delegation.

2.4 Composition of Delegation

Men’s Team (4 players plus 1 reserve) = 5 (including captain)

Women’s Team (4 players plus 1 reserve) = 5 (including captain)

----

Total 10 persons

2.5 Eligibility: The players must be entitled by birth, citizenship or naturalization to represent their Federation. Detailed eligibility rules are in Reg. C.05.

Organization

3. The Asian Chess Federation President represents the interests of the Continent and is empowered to take the final decision on all questions relating to the Championship as a whole.

3.1 At least six months before the beginning of the tournament the organizing federation shall submit to the Asian Chess Federation President a draft invitation and any special regulations/conditions for approval.

3.2 Upon receiving this draft invitation, the Asian Chess Federation President will inform the organizing federation whether he approves the draft, informing him of any modifications he may think necessary.

3.3 Invitation - At least 4 months before the beginning of the tournament the organizing federation will send invitations together with other special regulations, which have been approved by the Asian Chess Federation President, to all affiliated federations in Zones 3.1 to 3.7.

3.4 Copies of the invitation are to be sent to the Asian Chess Federation President and Presidents of Zones 3.1 to 3.7.

3.5 Confirmation of Entry - At least two months before the beginning of the tournament each federation accepting the invitation will send its entry to the organizing federation with copies to the Asian Chess Federation President and Zone President concerned. The entry fee stipulated in the Asian Chess Federation Financial Regulations shall be paid to the organizing federation.

3.6 Submission of team lists - One month before the scheduled start of the Team Championships, each participating federation shall send to the organizing federation the overall team lists of 5 men (4 players and 1 reserve) for the men’s competition and 5 women (4 players and 1 reserve) for the women’s competition.

3.7 Entry Fees - Each participating federation shall pay the stipulated entry fee as contained in Asian Chess Federation Financial Regulations to the organizing federation.

Expenses

4. The travelling expenses of the teams are to be paid by their federations.

4.1 The organizing federation is responsible for the living expenses of the participating teams (assuming a maximum 10 persons per delegation) during the days of arrival, play and departure.

4.2 The host federation is also responsible for the expenses of the Chief Arbiter (travelling costs, board and lodging and suitable amount of pocket money).

4.3 The organizing federation shall provide the playing facilities and make suitable arrangements for board and accommodation. Playing conditions shall conform to the recommendations for the organization of top-level tournaments (C.01).

4.4 The organizing federation shall be entitled to send a second men’s team and a second women’s team ("B" teams). However, only one team per country can win a trophy. Members from the two teams may win individual board medals.

Tournament Regulations

5. The championships shall be held on the Swiss System in nine rounds, on the model of the Olympiads, with one section for the men’s teams and one section for the women’s teams, considered as separate competitions, or round robin for ten teams or fewer.

5.1 Every match in the men’s competition shall be played over four boards and each match in the women’s competition shall be played over four boards.

5.2 Following the Olympiad schedule, the team captain shall present to the arbiter the specific lists, in board order, of the 4 men for the men’s competition and of the 4 women in the women’s competition who are to play in this round.

5.3 If any specific team list is not presented on time, the team in question must play the round using the top four players in the case of the men’s team, and the top four players in the case of the women’s team.

5.4 The order of the players, as indicated by the overall team list, cannot be altered, hence reserves may play on the bottom boards only.

5.5 If the board order in which a team plays differs from the board order of its overall list, the team’s score for the round shall be reduced by one game point for every deviation from the correct sequence. (Example: for playing 1-2-4-3, (considering only the men`s team), two points are forfeited; the score shall not, however, be reduced below zero). The use of any player who does not figure in the overall list will cause the round to be forfeited 4-0.

Time Control

6. The time control is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an addition of 30 seconds per move starting from move one. The games shall be played with DGT clocks.  

Chief Arbiter

7. The Asian Chess Federation President, after consultation with the organizing federation, shall nominate the Chief Arbiter and other Arbiters.

7.1 The Chief Arbiter may, in consultation with the Asian Chess Federation, and with the approval of the Asian Chess Federation President, issue additional written regulations to inform the exact playing hours and take care of other details not covered by these regulations.

7.2 The organizing federation shall be responsible for the Chief Arbiter’s transportation and board and lodging, and shall pay him suitable amount of pocket money.

Appeals Committee

8. Before the beginning of the tournament an Appeals Committee shall be selected.

8.1 The Asian Chess Federation President, after consultation with the organizing federation, shall nominate the Chairman. The Committee shall consist of five members and two reserves selected at the technical meeting. The persons chosen for the Appeals Committee shall represent seven different federations.

8.2 No member of the committee shall have the right to vote on questions concerning his own federation. However, every member is entitled to participate in the discussions.

8.3 Protests, including protests against decisions of the Chief Arbiter or his assistants, must be submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Appeals Committee within one hour after completion of the playing session.

8.4 A protest shall be submitted with an accompanying fee of $100 or its equivalent in local currency. If the protest is upheld, the protest fee will be returned otherwise it shall be forfeited to the organizing federation.

Scoring & Qualification

9. The scores determining the finishing order are calculated as follows.

9.1 Each team’s place in the order of classification will be decided by the number of match points it has scored. Winner will get 2 points, a draw will give each team 1 point, and a loss is scored as 0 points.

 9.2 If any teams finish with equal match points, the tie shall be resolved as follows:

1. by game points in total.
2. if a tie again results, the scores obtained by the tying teams against each other will decide, i.e. Direct Encounter.
3. if a tie again results, then the sum of Sonnenborn-Berger points will be used, calculated as follows:

                       i.            by the sum of the game points of all opponents defeated plus one half of the game points of all the opponents with which a tied result was achieved. If a tie still results, then

                     ii.            match points of each opponent, excluding the opponent who scored the lowest number of match points, multiplied by the number of game points achieved against this opponent;

4. if a tie again results, it shall be decided by Direct Encounter board count (Berlin System) as follows:

• win on Board 1 = 4 points
• win on Board 2 = 3 points
• win on Board 3 = 2 points
• win on Board 4 = 1 point

In case of drawn games these points are shared. If the board-count results in no victory for either side then the board points of Board 4 are cancelled and so on upwards until the tie is broken.

9.3 The title of "Asian Men’s (or Women’s) Team Champion 20xx (current year) is bestowed on the winning team.

9.4 Each winning team shall receive a trophy from the organizing federation.

9.5 Each member of the winning team (players, reserves and captain) shall receive a gold medal. The members of the second and third placed teams shall each receive a silver and bronze medal, respectively.

9.6 Individual Chess Medals for Board Prizes
Players assigned to the same board number in their respective team lists shall be in competition for individual board prizes namely: gold, silver and bronze medals. For the purposes of this award, the players’ performance rating shall be compared. If the performance rating is equal, the tie shall be broken in the following order:
(a) the number of games;

(b) Direct Encounter;

(c) average rating of opponents, higher is better.

(d) the greater number of wins.
Only players who have played a minimum of 7 games shall be eligible for board prizes.

Prizes

10. The organizers should award Gold, Silver and Bronze Cups. The teams of the host country may receive only one Cup. The two teams of the host country may receive individual board medals.

Qualification for the World Chess Team Championship

11. In addition, the winning teams will represent the continent of Asia in the World (Women’s) Team Championship.

Reports

12. On completion of the tournament, the Chief Arbiter shall deliver to the Asian Chess Federation President an official written report on the course of the contest with supporting documents, if appropriate. Copies of these reports are to be extended to the organizing federation.

13. Within two weeks after the closing ceremony, the organizing federation shall submit a rating report to FIDE.

14. Within four weeks after the closing ceremony, the organizing federation shall present the Asian Chess Federation President with a general report of the proceedings. 

Frequency

1. A tournament for the Asian Schools Under-7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 will be organized each year by one of the affiliated chess federations in Zones 3.1 to 3.7, to be designated by the Continental Assembly, if possible two years before the event is to take place.  An under-5 kindergarten championship shall be held in parallel.

Participation

2. Entitled to participate are chess players from the federations in Zones 3.1 to 3.7. The participant must not have reached his 5^th, 7^th, 9^th, 11^th, 13^th, 15^th and 17^th birthday, respectively, on January 1st of the year in which the tournament is held.

3. Each federation in Zones 3.1 to 3.7 will have the right to one representative in each of the age groups Under-5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 (Boys and Girls) totaling a maximum of fourteen (14) invited players.

4. Each federation shall be entitled to register any number of extra players subject to payment of the entry fee per player in advance; and payment of the full board and lodging of the additional player(s) to the host chess federation.

Organization

5. The Asian Chess Federation President represents the interests of the Continent and is empowered to take the final decision on all questions relating to the Championship as a whole.

5.1 At least four months before the beginning of the tournament the organizing federation will send an invitation to all affiliated federations in Zones 3.1 to 3.7.

5.2 The letter of invitation should be approved by the Continental President for Asia.

5.3 Copies of the invitation are to be sent to him, to the FIDE President and to the Presidents of Zones 3.1 to 3.7.

6. At least two months before the beginning of the tournament each federation accepting the invitation will send its entry to the organizing federation.

6.1 Copies of the entry will be sent to the FIDE President, to the Continental President for Asia and to the President of the Zone to which the federation belongs.

7. Entry fees according to the Asian Chess Federation Financial Regulations must be sent to the organizing federation.

Playing Schedule

8. The Championships will be played according to the Swiss System of 7 or 9 rounds, or round robin depending on the number of participants in each category. Seven rounds Swiss shall be played with 16 or fewer players, and 9 rounds if greater than 16. Time control shall be 90 minutes for the whole game with 30 second increments per move starting from move 1.

9. Rapid and/or Blitz Chess Championships shall be organized within the framework of the tournament. Time control shall be 15 minutes and 10 second increments per move for Rapid and 3 minutes and 2 second increment per move for blitz.

Playing Conditions

10. The tournament will be played according to the Rules of Play of FIDE.

Chief Arbiter and his Assistants

11. The Asian Chess Federation president will, after consultation with the organizing federation, nominate the Chief Arbiter, as well as the necessary assistant arbiters and other officials.

11.1 The Chief Arbiter may, in consultation with the Asian Chess Federation, and with the approval of the Continental President, issue additional written regulations to inform the exact playing hours and take care of other details not covered by these regulations.

12. Protests, including protests against decisions of the Chief Arbiter or his assistants, must be submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Appeals Committee within 30 minutes after completion of the playing session together.

A protest shall be submitted with an accompanying fee of $100 or its equivalent in local currency. If the protest is upheld, the protest fee will be returned otherwise it shall be forfeited to the organizing federation.

Appeals Committee

13. The Chairman of the Appeals Committee shall be nominated by the Continental President in consultation with the organizing federation. The Committee shall be composed of five members and two reserves, all from different Federations, chosen from among the representatives of national federations present.

13.1 No member of the Appeals Committee shall sit in judgment in a dispute involving a player or party from his Federation except where the dispute is between two players or two parties from his Federation.

In such cases the member concerned shall have the right only to partake in the discussions of the committee.

Designation of the winner

14. The order of the players is determined according to the number of points obtained.

If at the end of the tournament two or more players are tied, the tie shall be broken by the tiebreak systems in the following order:

a)      Direct Encounter.

b)      The greater number of wins.

c)      Buchholz

d)     Buchholz Cut 1, Cut 2, etc.

e)      Sonnenborn-Berger for RR

14.1 In case the above still does not produce a decision, the players remaining tied will be proclaimed joint winners.

Financial Regulations and Prizes

15. The traveling expenses of the invited players are to be paid by their national federations, while board, lodging and pocket money will be provided by the organizing federation. Additional (extra) players are obliged to pay for their board and lodging for which their federation shall be held responsible.

16. Before the beginning of the tournament a list of prizes shall be published together with other prizes to be awarded, and the conditions to be met for winning them.

16.1 Individual Medals - The organizing federation shall award a gold-plated medal to the winner of each category, a silver-plated medal to the player who took second place and a bronze medal to the player who took third place.

16.2 The Organizing federation shall pay the travel and accommodation for the Chief Arbiter and other officials and pay them suitable stipends.

16.3 The Organizing federation may charge each participant a registration fee for internal transportation and organizational logistics.

Reports

17. On completion of the tournament, the Chief Arbiter shall deliver to the Continental President an official written report on the course of the tournament with supporting documents, if appropriate. Copies of these reports are to be extended to the organizing federation.

18. Within two weeks after the closing ceremony, the organizing federation shall submit a rating report to FIDE.

19. Within four weeks after the closing ceremony, the organizing federation shall present the Continental President for Asia with a general report on the proceedings.