Regulations

    In case of discrepancies the French version of the tournament conditions applies.

    Grandmaster Tournament (GMT)

    Arbiter IA Laurent Freyd
    Dates
    July 20 - 31, 2019
    Place
    Main stage of the Concert Hall, Biel Congress Center
    Tournament type 
    28 games as 3 sets of round robin:
    - Classical: 7 games
    - Rapid: 7 games (reversed colors)
    - Blitz: 14 games (2-way)
    Rate of play
    Classical: 100 minutes for the first 40 moves + 50 minutes for the next 20 moves + 15 minutes for the rest of the game with an addition of 30 seconds per move starting from move one.
    Rapid: 15 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move.
    Blitz: 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move.
    Schedule
    July 20, 2019: 4 p.m.: Opening Ceremony with Drawing of Lots
    July 21: Rapid; 1 p.m.
    July 22-25: Classical rd 1-4; 2 p.m.
    July 26: Rest Day
    July 27: Blitz; 2 p.m.
    July 28-30: Classical rd 5-7; 2 p.m.
    July 31, 6 p.m.: Closing Ceremony
    Prizes
    CHF 10'000/7'500/5'000/3'000/2'000/1'500/1'000/500.
    Total prize fund: CHF 30'500.
    Scores and tie-breaks
    Classical: 3 points for a win; 1 point for a draw; 0 point for a loss
    Rapid: 2 points for a win; 1 point for a draw; 0 point for a loss
    Blitz: 1 point for a win; ½ point for a draw; 0 point for a loss
    Final standings will be established according to the number of points scored, cumulating the three series (classical+rapid+blitz).
    In case of a tie, a tie-break session will consist in Chess960 rapid games, followed if needed by a standard chess Armageddon, to rank the players and determine prizes.
    The final format and schedule of the tie-break will depend on the number of players involved.
    Rating
    Each series is rated for the corresponding FIDE rating (Standard, Rapid, Blitz).
    Laws of chess
    Art. 6.7.1 Any player arriving at the board more than 10 minutes after the start of the round (resp. 5 minutes in rapid and 2 minutes in blitz) will be defaulted, except in extreme situations.
    Art. 9.1.1 Offers of draw aren't allowed before move 40.
    Art. 11.3.2.1 Players aren't allowed to carry or use any electronic devices (mobile phones or else) during their games.
    They are advised not to come to the playing hall with such devices or to leave them at the arbiter's desk.
     

    Master Tournament (MTO)

    Main Arbiter IA Jonas Studer
    Dates July 22 - 31, 2019
    Place
    Concert Hall, Biel Congress Center.
    Smoking strictly prohibited within the whole building.
    Tournament type Swiss system - 9 rounds
    Rate of play 90 minutes for the first 40 moves + 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an addition of 30 seconds per move starting from move one.
    Schedule
    July 22-26, 2019: rd 1-5; 2 p.m.
    July 27: Rest Day
    July 28-30: rd 6-8; 2 p.m.
    July 31: rd 9; 11 a.m.
    Prizes
    CHF 6'000, 4'500, 3'500, 3'000, 2'500, 2'000, 1'500, 1'200, 1'000, 800, 700, 600, 2x500, 3x300, 3x200. Best women players: CHF 500, 300. Best senior (1959-), best junior (1999+), best child (2003+): each CHF 500. Best players with Elo <2200 and <2100: CHF 500, 400, 300, 200, 100. Best Swiss players: CHF 1'000, 600, 300.
    Total prize fund: CHF 37'000. Prizes are valid from 100 participants. With fewer participants, they are reduced pro rata.
    Are eligible for the best Swiss players prizes, Swiss citizens and players FIDE-registered under SUI who stay in Switzerland with a residence permit C at minimum.
    Prizes will be shared upon the final ranking (“Hort System” won’t be used).
    Special prizes are only granted to players scoring 4½ points or more. This restriction isn't valid for Elo category prizes.
    For rating band prizes, FIDE rating is considered first. July 2019 rating shall prevail.
    Ranking Final standings will be established according to number of points scored, truncated Buchholz and truncated Sum of Buchholz. The worst score in each case will be disregarded.
    Eligibility
    FIDE rated players (May, June or July FRL 2019) of 2000 and more.
    The admission of a player is the exclusive decision of the organization. This decision is final.
    Registration
    CHF 180 (1999+: CHF 110), by bank transfer until July 17, 2019, based on the invoice received by e-mail during the online registration, After this date cash payment on site with a surcharge of CHF 20. Deadline: July 22, 12:30 noon.
    For GM, IM, WGM and WIM the participation is free of charge.
    Check-in
    All participants with the status "confirmed" on the playerlist of our website are expected to confirm their presence at the check-in desk, before 1.30 p.m. on July 22, 2019. This will ensure their integration in the first round pairings.
    Participants with the status "unconfirmed" or who doesn't appear on the list have to come to the office desk until 12:30 noon.
    Laws of chess Art. 6.7.1 Any player arriving at the board more than 30 minutes after the start of the round will be defaulted, except in extreme situations.
    Art. 11.3.2.1 It is forbidden to enter the playing area with electronic devices.
    The tournament is rated for the Swiss, German and FIDE ratings. Possibility of obtaining a FIDE norm.
    Pairings and results For pairing calculation, FIDE rating is considered first. July 2019 rating shall prevail.
    Round 1 pairings will be published at 1.45 p.m. For the subsequent rounds, they will be online 1 hour after the end of the previous round.
    Players have to give the original copy of the scoresheet and write down the result at the results desk. Otherwise the result of the game will be 0-0.

    Main Tournament (ATO)


     
    Main Arbiter IA Jonas Studer
    Dates July 22 - 31, 2019
    Place
    Concert Hall, Biel Congress Center.
    Smoking strictly prohibited within the whole building.
    Tournament type Swiss system - 9 rounds
    Rate of play 90 minutes for the first 40 moves + 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an addition of 30 seconds per move starting from move one.
    Schedule
    July 22-26, 2019: rd 1-4; 2 p.m.
    July 27: Rest Day
    July 28-30: rd 5-8; 2 p.m.
    July 31: rd 9; 11 a.m.
    Prizes
    CHF CHF 1'200, 1'000, 800, 600, 500, 2x400, 3x300, 5x200, 5x100. Best women players, best seniors (1959-), best juniors (1999+): CHF 200, 100, best children (2003+): CHF 150, 50. Best players rated <1800 and <1700: CHF 400, 300, 200, 2x100.
    Total prize fund: CHF 10'600.
    Prizes are valid from 100 participants. With fewer participants, they are reduced pro rata.
    Prizes will be shared upon the final ranking (“Hort System” won’t be used).
    Special prizes are only granted to players scoring 4½ points or more. This restriction isn't valid for Elo category prizes.
    For rating band prizes, FIDE rating is considered first. July 2019 rating shall prevail.
    Ranking Final standings will be established according to number of points scored, truncated Buchholz and truncated Sum of Buchholz. The worst score in each case will be disregarded.
    Eligibility
    Players without FIDE rating or with FIDE rating below or equal  2050 in all three rating lists:  May, June and July 2019.
    layer without FIDE ID have to have to appear in front of the main arbiter before the first, who will proceed at the registration.
    The admission of a player is the exclusive decision of the organization. This decision is final.
    Registration
    CHF 160 (1999+: CHF 100), by bank transfer until July 17, 2019, based on the invoice received by e-mail during the online registration, After this date cash payment on site with a surcharge of CHF 20. Deadline: July 22, 12:30 noon.
    Check-in
    All participants with the status "confirmed" on the playerlist of our website are expected to confirm their presence at the check-in desk, before 1.15 p.m. on July 22, 2019. This will ensure their integration in the first round pairings.
    Participants with the status "unconfirmed" or who doesn't appear on the list have to come to the office desk until 12:30 noon.
    Laws of chess Art. 6.7.1 Any player arriving at the board more than 30 minutes after the start of the round will be defaulted, except in extreme situations.
    Art. 11.3.2.1 It is forbidden to enter the playing area with electronic devices.
    The tournament is rated for the Swiss, German and FIDE ratings. Possibility of obtaining a FIDE rating.
    Pairings and results For pairing calculation, FIDE rating is considered first. July 2019 rating shall prevail.
    Round 1 pairings will be published at 1.45 p.m. For the subsequent rounds, they will be online 1 hour after the end of the previous round.
    Players have to give the original copy of the scoresheet and write down the result at the results desk. Otherwise the result of the game will be 0-0.

    Swiss Rapid Chess Championship (RAP)

    Main Arbiter IA Jonas Studer
    Date Sunday July 21, 2019
    Place
    Concert Hall, Biel Congress Center.
    Smoking strictly prohibited within the whole building.
    Tournament type Swiss system - 9 rounds
    Rate of play
    15 minutes + 5 seconds per move
    Schedule
    Rounds 1-2: 10.15 a.m. - 12.00 p.m.
    Rounds 3-6: 1.00 p.m. - 4.20 p.m.
    Rounds 7-9: 4.40 p.m. - 7.10 p.m.
    Prizegiving: 7.30 p.m.
    Prizes
    CHF 1'200, 800, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 150, 2x100. best woman player, best senior (1959-), best junior (1999+): CHF 200. Best child (2003+), best untitled: CHF 100. Best Swiss players: CHF 400, 300, 200, 2x100. Best players rated <2000 and <1800: CHF 300, 200, 100, 2x50.
    Total prize fund: CHF 7'650 + prizes in kind up to 6 points.
    Prizes are valid from 100 participants. With fewer participants, they are reduced pro rata.
    Are eligible for the best Swiss players prizes, Swiss citizens and players FIDE-registered under SUI who stay in Switzerland with a residence permit C at minimum.
    Prizes will be shared upon the final ranking (“Hort System” won’t be used).
    Special prizes are only granted to players scoring 4½ points or more. This restriction isn't valid for Elo category prizes.
    For rating band prizes, FIDE rating is considered first. July 2019 rating shall prevail.
    Ranking Final standings will be established according to number of points scored, truncated Buchholz and truncated Sum of Buchholz. The worst score in each case will be disregarded.
    Eligibility
    Open to everyone.
    Player without FIDE ID have to have to appear in front of the main arbiter before the first, who will proceed at the registration.
    The admission of a player is the exclusive decision of the organization. This decision is final.
    Registration
    CHF 40 (1999+: CHF 20; GM/IM/WGM/WIM: CHF 20), by bank transfer until July 17, 2019, based on the invoice received by e-mail during the online registration, After this date cash payment on site with a surcharge of CHF 10. Deadline: July 22, 08:45 noon. The surcharge doesn't apply for GM and WGM.
    Check-in
    All participants with the status "confirmed" on the playerlist of our website are expected to confirm their presence at the check-in desk, before 9.45 a.m. on July 21, 2019. This will ensure their integration in the first round pairings.
    Participants with the status "unconfirmed" or who doesn't appear on the list have to come to the office desk until 08:45 noon.
    Laws of chess Art. 6.7.1 Any player arriving at the board more than 30 minutes after the start of the round will be defaulted, except in extreme situations.
    Art. 11.3.2.1 It is forbidden to enter the playing area with electronic devices.
    The tournament is rated for the Swiss, German and FIDE Rapid' ratings.
    Results announcement Players have to give the original copy of the scoresheet and write down the result at the results desk. Otherwise the result of the game will be 0-0.

    Swiss Blitz Chess Championship (BTO)

    Main Arbiter IA Jonas Studer
    Date Saturday July 27, 2019
    Place
    Concert Hall, Biel Congress Center.
    Smoking strictly prohibited within the whole building.
    Tournament type Swiss system - 13 rounds
    Rate of play
    3 minutes + 2 seconds per move
    Schedule
    Rounds 1-5: 2.00 p.m. - 3.30 p.m.
    Rounds 6-10: 3.45 p.m. - 5.15 p.m.
    Rounds 11-13: 5.30 p.m. - 6.15 p.m.
    Prizegiving: 6.45 p.m.
    Prizes
    CHF 1'000, 750, 600, 500, 400, 300, 250, 200, 150, 100, 2x50. Best woman player, best senior (1959-), best junior (1999+): CHF 100. Best child (2003+): CHF 50. Best Swiss players: CHF 300, 200, 150, 100, 50. Best players rated <2000 and <1800: CHF 100, 60, 40.
    Total prize fund: CHF 5'900 + prizes in kind up to 8 points.
    Are eligible for the best Swiss players prizes, Swiss citizens and players FIDE-registered under SUI who stay in Switzerland with a residence permit C at minimum.
    Prizes will be shared upon the final ranking (“Hort System” won’t be used).
    Special prizes are only granted to players scoring 6½ points or more. This restriction isn't valid for Elo category prizes.
    For rating band prizes, FIDE rating is considered first. July 2019 rating shall prevail.
    Ranking Final standings will be established according to number of points scored, truncated Buchholz and truncated Sum of Buchholz. The worst score in each case will be disregarded.
    Eligibility
    Open to everyone.
    Player without FIDE ID have to have to appear in front of the main arbiter before the first, who will proceed at the registration.
    The admission of a player is the exclusive decision of the organization. This decision is final.
    Registration
    CHF 30 (1999+: CHF 20; GM/IM/WGM/WIM: CHF 20), by bank transfer until July 23, 2019, based on the invoice received by e-mail during the online registration, After this date cash payment on site with a surcharge of CHF 10. Deadline: July 27, 12:30 noon. The surcharge doesn't apply for GM and WGM.
    Check-in
    All participants with the status "confirmed" on the playerlist of our website are expected to confirm their presence at the check-in desk, before 13.15 a.m. on July 27, 2019. This will ensure their integration in the first round pairings.
    Participants with the status "unconfirmed" or who doesn't appear on the list have to come to the office desk until 12:30 noon.
    Laws of chess Art. 6.7.1 Any player arriving at the board more than 30 minutes after the start of the round will be defaulted, except in extreme situations.
    Art. 11.3.2.1 It is forbidden to enter the playing area with electronic devices.
    The tournament is rated for the Swiss, German and FIDE Blitz' ratings.
    Result' announcement Players have to give the original copy of the scoresheet and write down the result at the results desk. Otherwise the result of the game will be 0-0.

    Swiss Rapid Fischer Random Championship (960)

    Arbiter Lukas Muheim
    Date Saturday July 20, 2019
    Tournament type
    Swiss system - 7 rounds
    Chess960: The starting position will be drawn before every round.
    Rate of play 15 minutes with an increment of 5 seconds for each move
    Schedule 1:00 - 7:00 p.m.
    Prizegiving: 7:00 p.m.
    Prizes
    CHF 300, 200, 100.
    Total prize fund: CHF 600 + prize in kind.
    Prizes will be shared upon the final ranking (“Hort System” won’t be used).
    Ranking Final standings will be established according to number of points scored, truncated Buchholz and truncated Sum of Buchholz. The worst score in each case will be disregarded.
    Eligibility Open to every player, rated or unrated.
    Registration CHF 30 (1998+: CHF 20), by bank transfer until July 17, 2019, based on the invoice received by e-mail during the online registration, or on-site before July 20, 12:30 noon.
    Miscellaneous The tournament won’t be rated.
    Smoking strictly prohibited within the building.
    It is forbidden to enter the playing hall with electronic devices.

    VINETUM' Youth Tournament (JTO)

    Main Arbiter Markus Klauser
    Date Saturday, July 27, 2019
    Place
    Vereinssaal, Biel Congress Center
    Tournament type Swiss system - 7 rounds
    Rate of play 10 minutes + 10 seconds
    Schedule Rounds 1-3: 10.00 a.m. - 12.15 noon
    From noon: Lunch break
    Rounds 4-7: 1.30 p.m. - 4.15 p.m.
    Prize giving: 4.45 p.m.
    Prizes Prizes in kind for every player.
    Ranking Final standings will be established according to number of points scored, Buchholz and Sum of Buchholz. 
    Eligibility Open to every Junior born 2001 or later, rated or unrated.
    Age groups U10 (year of birth: 2009 or later)
    U13 (year of birth: 2006-2008)
    U18 (year of birth: 2001-2005)
    Registration Free of charge, lunch meal included!
    Online registration until July 26, 2019 or on site until July 27, 2019 9.00 a.m.
    Please note that a junior registered for the JTO is not allowed to participate in the BTO.
    Check-in All participants are expected to confirm their presence at the check in desk until 9.30 a.m. on July 27, 2019. This will ensure their integration in the first round pairings.
    Laws of chess Illegal moves don't lose the game, but the rule "touched piece, played piece" is applied.
    Miscellaneous The tournament won’t be rated.
    Smoking strictly prohibited within the building.
    Electronic devices of players, accompanying persons and spectators must be off.
    Phone number for the day of the tournament: 078 878 70 84.

    Physicians Tournament (DTO)

    Arbiter Markus Klauser
    Date Sunday July 28, 2019
    Tournament type Swiss system - 5 rounds
    Rate of play 15 minutes + 5 seconds per move
    Schedule Rounds 1-2: 11.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.
    Rounds 3-5: 2.15 - 4.30 p.m.
    Prizegiving: 4.30 p.m., followed by an aperitif.
    Prizes Prizes in kind for all participants.
    Ranking Final standings will be established according to number of points scored, Buchholz and Sum of Buchholz.
    Eligigility For physicians only, rated or unrated.
    Registration CHF 30, by bank transfer until July 23, 2019, based on the invoice received by e-mail during the online registration, or on-site before July 28, 10:00 a.m.
    Miscellaneous The tournament won’t be rated.
    Smoking strictly prohibited within the building.
    It is forbidden to enter the playing hall with electronic devices.

    Simultaneous Tournament (SIM)

    Arbiter IA Jonas Studer
    Date / Time Saturday July 20, 2019; 1:00 p.m.
    Place Reception hall of our sponsor BEKB, Zentralstrasse 46, Biel/Bienne. (map)
    Tournament type Simultaneous game against a Grand Master
    Eligibility Open to every player, rated or unrated.
    Registration CHF 20 (1999+: CHF 10), by bank transfer until July 17, 2019 (limited number of participants), based on the invoice received by E-Mail after the online registration.

    ACCENTUS Youth Rapid-team Tournament (ACC)

    Main Arbiter Markus Klauser
    Date Sunday July 21, 2019
    Place Vereinssaal, Biel Congress Center
    Tournament type Swiss system - 7 rounds
    Rate of play 10 minutes + 10 seconds per move
    Schedule 08:30-09:30 a.m.: check-in
    09:45 a.m.: arbiter' welcome speach
    10:00 a.m.: round 1
    10:45 a.m.: round 2
    11:30a.m.: round 3
    Lunch break
    1:00 p.m.: round 4
    1:45 p.m.: round 5
    2:30 p.m.: round 6
    3:15 p.m.: round 7
    4:15: Prizegiving
    Prizes
    Prizes in kind for all participants
    Ranking
    Final standings will be established according to  match points, board points and direct encounter.
    Eligibility Open to all players born 2003 or later.
    Registration
    Free of charge, lunch meal included!
    Online registration until July 20, 2019 or on site until July 21, 2019 9.00 a.m.
    Limited number of seats! Register early!
    Check-in
    All participants having paid their entry fee or invited are expected to confirm their presence at the check in desk, before 9.30 a.m. on July 21, 2019.
    Laws of chess Illegal moves don't lose the game, but the rule "touched piece, played piece" is applied.
    A team is formed with strictly 2 players (no substitute).
    The best rated player must play on the first board.
    Miscellaneous
    Phone for the day ot the tournament: 078 878 70 84.
    Smoking is strictly prohibited within the building.
    Players aren't allowed to carry or use any electronic devices (mobile phones or else) during their games.
    Register

    Register

    Register now and take part in the 51st Biel International Chess Festival!

    Read more