BY-LAWS FOR ACF TOURNAMENTS Application 1. These by-laws: a. shall apply to any match or tournament that is conducted by a State Association on behalf of the ACF or the FIDE or in which the right to play in a FIDE event can be gained and b. so far as they are relevant shall apply to any tournament or match that is conducted either by the Council or by a local body on behalf of the ACF or FIDE, including any tournament or match in which the right to hold an Australian title can be gained. Titles 2. The following titles shall be recognised: Junior titles ( " [junior] " ) will be awarded in the categories of Junior, Under-16, Under-14, Under-12, Under-10, Girls, Girls Under-16, Girls Under-14, Girls U-12 and Girls U-10. 1. Australian Champion 2 a-j. Australian [junior] Champion 3. Australian Womens Champion 4. Australian Open Champion 5. Australian STD Club Champion 6. Australian Rapid Play Champion 7. Australian Womens Rapid Play Champion 8. Australian Open Rapid Play Champion 9. Australian Womens Open Rapid Play Champion 10 a-j. Australian [junior} Rapid Play Champion 11. Australian Senior Champion 12. Australian Lightning Champion 13. Australian Womens Lightning Champion 14. Australian Open Lightning Champion 15. Australian Womens Open Lightning Champion 16 a-j. Australian [junior] Lightning Champion 17. Australian Chess Champion with a Disability 18. Australian Match Play Champion 19. Australian Secondary Schools Girls Teams Champions 20. Australian Secondary Schools Open Teams Champions 21. Australian Primary Schools Girls Teams Champions 22. Australian Primary Schools Open Teams Champions." " 23. Australian Clubs Teams Champions 3. Persons who are Australian citizens or who, in the opinion of the Council, are permanent residents of Australia shall be eligible to hold titles. However, in the case of an open tournament, all competitors shall be eligible to hold the title. 4. a. A title is gained at the conclusion of a tournament for the championship, including any necessary play-off, by the highest-placed competitor who is eligible or, in the case of an open event, by the highest-placed competitor. b. In exceptional circumstances, players who are not eligible to hold an Australian Championship title may be invited by the ACF to compete in a championship tournament on the basis that they cannot gain the relevant title as a consequence of their results in that tournament. 5. A title is retained by the holder until the opening of the next tournament for the championship and while competing in the tournament, including any necessary play-off. 6. A title lapses: a. for the duration of the tournament for the title where the holder is not competing in the tournament; and b. for the duration of an unresolved tie for the title where the holder is not a party to the tie. Play-off Procedures 7. Australian Championship 7.1 If two people have tied for the Australian Championship, the tie shall be resolved by a four-game play-off match. 7.2 If three or more people have tied for the Australian Championship, the tie shall be resolved by a double round-robin tournament comprising the tied players. 7.3 If a tie persists after a play-off procedure as provided in clauses 7.1 or 7.2, the ACF Executive shall decide either that - 7.3.1 an additional phase of play-offs be played; or 7.3.2 the title be shared. 7.4 Additional play-offs for the purposes of clause 7.3.1 shall consist of - 7.4.1 a two-game match if only two players are still tied; or 7.4.2 in any other case, a single round-robin. 7.5 If a tie still persists after an additional play-off, the title shall be shared. 7.6 The rate of play for a play-off shall be the same as that of the Championship in which the tie occurred. 7.7 If there is a tie for a Championship, the prize money in respect of the tied places shall be pooled and one-third of the pool withheld to form the prize fund, or part thereof, for the play-off. 7.8 The prizes for the play-off shall be determined by the ACF Executive. 7.9 A play-off referred to in clause 7.1 or 7.2 shall begin within six months after the conclusion of the event in which the tie occurred. 7.10 Subject to clause 7.11, if a play-off does not begin as provided in clause 7.8, the title shall be shared and the withheld prize money paid to the ACF. 7.11 The ACF Council may decide that any player whose conduct has prevented the play-off from so beginning shall not be entitled to share the title and that, if the ACF Council thinks it appropriate, the withheld prize money be paid to the remaining player or players. 7.12 Despite the foregoing provisions, the ACF Council may decide that a title and prize money be shared if, in its opinion, a play-off is not practical. 7.13 Clause 8 does not apply to the Australian Championship. Australian Open Championship In cases where two or more people have tied for the Australian Open Championship, the tie shall be resolved by the application of the following count-back formula: C = sum RS - RL where C is the player's count-back score. RS are the ratings (as used for seeding during the tournament) of the player's opponents. RL is the lowest of those ratings. (i.e. The count-back score is the sum of opponents’ ratings, less the rating of the lowest rated opponent.) The player with the highest count-back score shall be awarded the title. Should a tie persist, it shall be resolved by elimination of the ratings of the lowest and second-lowest rated of each player's opponents. Ties still persisting shall be resolved by further dropping the ratings of the third-lowest rated opponents, fourth-lowest rated and so on. Should a tie not be resolved at all (as in a case where players have met an identical field), the tie shall be resolved in a manner to be determined by the ACF Council, which may delegate this authority (in advance if necessary). Prior to the commencement of the tournament, unrated participants in the Australian Open Championship shall be assigned nominal ratings for count-back purposes. Other Australian Titles: Long time-controls Where two or more people have tied for any other title decided by games at 60 minutes or more on each clock, the ACF shall determine whether the title is to be shared, to be resolved by a count-back system, or to be decided by a play-off. Any play-off shall be at the same rate of play as the tournament and shall consist of a two-game match (or if three or more players are tied, a single round-robin). The determination of whether a tie is to be resolved by sharing the title, by a count-back system or by holding a play-off shall be advertised prior to the closing date for entries, together with the arrangements for any play-off. Such arrangements, if made, shall be published as part of the playing schedule for the tournament and shall specify a time and date beyond which a player involved in a play-off cannot be required to contest or continue to contest such a play-off. If a tie persists after the play-off match (or round-robin) then the ACF shall decide whether a further play-off shall be held, or whether the tie shall be resolved by a count-back system, or the title shared. Any count-back system used to resolve ties shall be approved by the ACF. Other Australian Titles: Rapid/Quickplay etc Where two people have tied for any title decided by games played at less than 60 minutes on each clock, the tie shall be resolved by means of a two-game play-off match played at five minutes each. Where three or more people have tied for such a title, the tie shall be resolved by means of a single round-robin played at five minutes each. Ties still persisting shall be resolved by repetitions of the above procedure. Colour Allocation Colour allocation for individual matches shall alternate with that established during earlier phases of the play-off procedure or the original tournament itself. 8. A play-off to resolve a tie affecting a title shall not affect the distribution of tournament money prizes. Rules of Play 9. The English translation approved by the Council of the Laws of Chess of FIDE, together with FIDE interpretations thereof, shall apply and a copy of the FIDE Laws of Chess shall be made available in the hall of play. 10. A player shall be considered: a. to be in extreme time trouble only if his clock shows that he is within five minutes of the time control and if he then has twice the number of moves to be made as there are minutes left until the time control; b. to remain then in extreme time trouble until either the required number of moves up to the time control are made or until the time control is exceeded. 11. A player shall play to the best of his ability. 12. Any arrangement between two players affecting the result of a tournament and not sanctioned by the Tournament Director shall render both players liable to disqualification. 13. Any player who acts as a bookmaker on the results of a tournament shall be disqualified. Events Co-ordinator 13A. The Council shall appoint an Events Co-ordinator from amongst the ACF Executive. 13B. The functions of the Events Co-ordinator are – (a) to oversee the operation of, and compliance with, the by-law entitled “Procedure for Allocating ACF Tournaments” and, in particular, to ensure compliance with the time limits specified therein; (b) to ensure that State Associations comply with – (i) the bidding procedure in paragraph 19, (ii) the requirements for an administrative plan set out in paragraph 20, and (iii) the requirements for a report set out in paragraph 24 of this by-law. Sponsoring State 14. The Council shall determine the state where a tournament will be held with the approval of the State Association of that state. 15. The Council may specify: a. the period within which the tournament is to be held; b. the amount of expenditure on accommodation and other expenses of visiting players; c. any other condition of the tournament. 17. In a FIDE tournament, accommodation and expenses for players must be provided in accordance with the current FIDE rules. 18. Where the Council has determined the state where a tournament will be held, the Council shall not withdraw the tournament from that state unless: a. the State Association consents thereto; or b. the State Association has seriously neglected its duties in relation thereto or does not comply with these by-laws. Tournament Bidding Procedure 19. State Associations wishing to bid to hold ACF events should supply the following information in their bids: a. the venue, including seating capacity of the playing halls; b. the accommodation; c. whether air conditioning is available; d. assistance with accommodation to be offered to visiting players; e. the number of players to whom such assistance can be offered; f. the prizes; g. the value of any sponsorship received; h. the entry fees; i. the times of the playing sessions; j. the date on which the tournament is to start and finish; k. whether the tournament is intended to break even or run at a surplus or deficit and, if so, how much; l. details of canteen services available; and m. whether a computer pairing system will be used. Administrative Plans 20. The sponsoring State Association shall forward details of the following to the ACF Council for approval, and keep the Council apprised of any changes to such details. a. all details supplied per clause 19; b. the time controls, being FIDE time controls in an Australian Championship and in a tournament to select a player for a FIDE event; c. the closing date for entries; d. the name and address of the competition director and the composition of the tournament committee if any; e. the procedure for settling disputes during the tournament; f. the entry fees; g. the playing rules other than the FIDE rules; h. the count-back procedure to be used; i. the times of the playing sessions; j. the date and time for the start of the opening ceremony, i. the dates on which the tournament is to start and finish, ii. the dates for each rest day (if any), and iii. the date and time for the start of the presentation of prizes; k. any other matter connected with the tournament which the Federation may reasonably require. 21. The Council or its representative may direct the sponsoring State Association to make its decision on any item mentioned in By-Law 20 within 56 days. 22. A decision of a sponsoring State Association on any item mentioned in By-Law 20 approved by the Federation shall not be varied except by consent of the Federation and the sponsoring State Association. Finance 23. a. Accounting Standards A person shall be appointed by the sponsoring State Association to be responsible for the accurate keeping of all accounting records associated with the tournament. This person shall prepare an audited financial report at the end of the tournament for presentation to the ACF. b. Tournament Budget A detailed tournament budget must be prepared and submitted to the ACF prior to the tournament. b. Tournament Cheque Account The ACF may require the organisers of any ACF event to open a separate cheque account for the tournament into which all tournament income is to be paid. The signatories for this account are to be Group A: Two signatories nominated by the organising committee. Group B: One signatory nominated by the responsible state association and one signatory nominated by the ACF. All cheques must be signed by two signatories, one from Group A and one from Group B c. Surplus Fifty per cent of the surplus from any ACF event shall be paid to the ACF by the sponsoring State Association. Such payment shall accompany the audited financial report submitted to the ACF as per clause 25 b. Organising Committee 24. Upon granting the right to hold an ACF event to a state association or other body the ACF may nominate a person to be the ACF nominee on the organising committee. The ACF nominee on the organising committee shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the organising committee but shall not be entitled to vote at such meetings. He is to make the organisers aware of their responsibilities to the ACF in running the tournament and to inform and liaise with the ACF. Report 25. a. As soon as possible after the completion of a tournament conducted on behalf of the Federation, the State Association responsible shall ensure that a report containing the following information is forwarded to the Secretary of the Federation: i. the complete first name and surname of each player; ii. the State Association which approved the entry of each player; i. the final score of each player; ii. the final placing of each player; iii. indication of each bye given; iv. indication of each game won or lost on forfeit; v. the result of each game played; vi. the name of each player in respect of whom disciplinary action is recommended, together with appropriate details; vii. such other information as may be of general interest or suitable for reproduction in Federation publications. b. Within three months after the completion of a tournament conducted on behalf of the Federation, the State Association responsible shall ensure that an audited financial report on the tournament is forwarded to the Secretary of the Federation. 26. Where a championship is held in which entry is restricted to a specified number of players and/or players above a notional playing strength, the following procedure shall be followed to determine which players shall be admitted to the championship and which players shall be admitted to any reserves tournament to be conducted in conjunction with the championship: a. persons completing entry forms shall be required to indicate whether or not they are willing to compete in the championship and whether or not they are willing to compete in the reserves tournament (if any); b. the Federation shall appoint a panel of selectors for the purposes of the championship; c. as soon as possible after the close of entries, the names of all entrants (championship and reserves) shall be conveyed to the selection panel; d. the selection panel shall rank all entrants as though they were entrants in the same tournament and regardless of whether or not an entrant is willing to play in the championship and/or reserves; e. the selection panel shall determine a different ranking for each entrant, firstly on the basis of playing strength, and secondly (in the case of entrants of equal playing strength), by lot; f. the field for the championship shall comprise: i. those players to whom the right to compete is granted by a Federation By-Law dealing specifically with that championship; ii. such players as the Federation may invite to participate in the championship; iii. the winner of the reserves tournament (if any) held in conjunction with the previous championship; and iv. other entrants in the ranking order determined by the selection panel until the agreed maximum number of competitors has been reached or until there are no further entrants of at least the agreed minimum playing strength, whichever occurs first; i. g. the field for the reserves tournament shall comprise all entrants who have indicated a willingness to compete in the reserves tournament whose ranking (as determined by the selectors) is not sufficient to admit them to the championship; h. a player whose ranking would enable him to compete in the championship shall be ineligible to compete in the reserves tournament; i. Where an entry for a national championship or reserves tournament is not submitted in time to be considered by the selectors for that championship, the State Association responsible may reject the entry or refer it to the President of the Federation. If so referred, the President shall consider whether there is a reasonable chance that the player concerned would have been selected for the championship if his or her entry had been considered by the selectors. If the President decides that such a reasonable chance exists or if the President is unable to decide whether or not such a reasonable chance exists, the player concerned shall be ineligible to compete in either the championship or the reserves tournament. If the President decides that there is not a reasonable chance that the player concerned would have been selected for the championship, he or she may be admitted to the reserves tournament. a. Eligibility & Miscellaneous 27. The entry of players residing in Australia into official ACF tournaments or matches shall only be accepted if approved by the State Association of the state where the player resides or the State Association of another State which has a border 50km or less from the player's place of residence. Should such approval not be given, the player shall have the right of appeal to the ACF Council, which is empowered to grant entry on a single event or general basis. A State Association opposed to the participation of a player resident in its State shall have a right to appeal to the ACF against a decision by another State Association to approve the participation of such a player. 28. The Council may declare any tournament as a qualifying tournament for any ACF tournament, in which case the winner of the qualifying tournament is entitled to play in the corresponding ACF tournament. Otherwise an entry shall be accepted on merit without regard to the fact of residence of the player in a particular state. 29. Players in a junior or girls' championship must be aged under-18 on 1 January of the year in which the tournament ends. 30. Players in a Seniors' championship must be aged 60 years or over on 1 January of the year in which the tournament ends. 31. A reserves tournament shall be open to players who satisfy one of the following requirements:- a. Australian citizens. b. In the opinion of the Council, permanent residents of Australia. c. Invited to participate by the Council. 32. The Council may appoint one of its members to be the ACF representative for a tournament. If no person is appointed, the ACF President shall act as ACF representative. 33. The ACF representative: a. may in an emergency make any decision that could properly be made by the Council, if it is not considered practicable to convene a Council meeting in time; b. may not overrule a decision that has been made by the Council unless it has become unreasonably difficult to put that decision into effect. 34. The ACF Council or its appointee may deem a person ineligible to play in any ACF Tournament. 35. A concession entry fee is to be offered in all ACF events. The minimum concession shall be a reduction of 25per cent of the full entry fee. Persons eligible for a concession entry fee are juniors, full-time students and holders of a Commonwealth Government healthcare card. 36. Unconditional free entry shall be granted to all ACF events to holders of the Grandmaster, International Master, Women's Grandmaster or Women's International Master title.