Rockway Centre - 1405 King St East, Kitchener ON  |    Most Tuesdays @ 6:15PM - 10:00PM  |    kwchessinfo@gmail.com

Join the Club

Guidelines

Ensuring Fair Play and Good Sportsmanship

General Conduct

Fostering a Positive and Inclusive Environment

  • Adherence to Guidelines: All rules, regulations, and by-laws of the KWCC comply with the guidelines of the CFC and FIDE.
  • Acceptance of Conditions: As a member, you must accept these conditions and respect KWCC arbiters and club officials, who run the Club on a volunteer basis.
  • Respect for Participants: Treat all participants with respect. Avoid engaging in disruptive or unsportsmanlike behavior.
  • Prohibition of Verbal Abuse: Refrain from verbal abuse or deliberately provoking an opponent or other player nearby.
  • Sportsmanship: Always introduce yourself to your opponents, shake hands before and after the game, and accept losses and wins gracefully.
  • Substance-Free Environment: Smoking or consumption of alcohol or drugs is strictly forbidden. Entering the Club while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited.
  • Respect for Facilities: Failure to respect the Rockway Centre’s facilities and equipment provided by KWCC and other organizers will be considered a serious breach of the code of conduct. This includes a responsibility to clean up after oneself in matters relating to housekeeping, hygiene, and cleanliness.
  • Sign-In Procedure: Prior to play, everyone should sign in at the designated area, pay any event fees, and proceed to the playing area.
  • Post-Play Cleanliness: At the end of play, please leave the playing area as you found it.
  • Care of Equipment: Chess pieces, boards, and clocks furnished by the Club should be treated with care.
  • Good Sportsmanship and Fair Play: KWCC members shall practice good sportsmanship and fair play and shall be courteous to other players. KWCC will not tolerate any kind of bullying behavior.
  • Parental Responsibility: Parents are responsible for their children.
  • Adherence to Rules: During tournaments and club activities, members and visitors are expected to adhere to all rules and regulations as stated by the KWCC.
  • Electronic Devices: Cell phones must be turned off when entering the playing areas. Electronic devices, including but not limited to, media players, handheld video game devices, etc., are strictly prohibited during matches.
  • Photography/Videography: By attending KWCC events, you acknowledge and agree that you may be photographed or video recorded. These images and videos may be used for promotional purposes, including but not limited to, website content, social media posts, and other club-related materials. While we encourage capturing the excitement of our events, we ask that you refrain from using flash photography.
  • Adherence to Venue Rules: Members must abide by the rules and regulations of the Rockway Centre.
  • Violation of Rules: Violation of Club rules will result in a verbal warning. After two warnings, subsequent violation of these rules may result in expulsion from the Club.
  • Parental Concerns: Parents with concerns regarding any Club activity, method of instruction, fairness of play, coaches, child conduct, or behavior etc., should contact the Club directors directly for discussion before or after Chess club meetings.
  • Room Condition: Members must leave the chess room the way they found it.
  • Punctuality: Members are expected to arrive on time for scheduled events, tournaments, and club meetings.
  • Adherence to Posted Schedules: Respect the posted schedule of events and tournaments. Do not disrupt the flow of play.
  • Resolution of Conflicts: In the event of a conflict, members are encouraged to seek resolution through respectful communication. If necessary, a club director/arbiter will mediate.
  • Dress Code (Optional): Maintain a neat and presentable appearance during club events and tournaments. However, no dress code is stated for the KWCC.
  • Feedback: Members are encouraged to provide constructive feedback to club officials to help improve the club.

Tournament Rules

Ensuring Fair and Consistent Competition

  • FIDE Governance: KWCC tournament rules are governed by FIDE’s Official Rules of Chess (most recent Jan. 2023 laws).
  • CFC Handbook: We follow the CFC Handbook for administration and other regulations.
  • Refusal of Entry: We reserve the right to refuse entry.
  • CFC Membership: All players must either be CFC members or purchase a CFC Tournament Membership (Adult $20, Junior $10) suitable for the tournament. FQE members and visiting Masters are excepted in accordance with CFC guidelines. Participants are strongly encouraged to purchase CFC memberships online.
  • Refunds:
    • Pre-registered and pre-paid entries who find it necessary to withdraw prior to the start of an event can receive a full or partial refund on entry fees subject to fees and conditions.
    • All emergencies should go through kwchessinfo@gmail.com for communications regarding withdrawal, travel delays, or other late-breaking information.
  • Food: No food is allowed in the playing area.
  • Byes:
    • Players are expected to play all rounds if no byes are requested.
    • Half-point and zero-point byes are available under specific conditions.
    • Registration and bye requests must be sent by email to kwchessinfo@gmail.com.
  • Equipment:
    • We will supply chess sets and clocks.
    • We will provide score sheets and pens for chess notation.
  • Forfeits: We use a grace period before the game is forfeited.
  • Ratings:
    • Players must disclose all previous ratings.
    • The tournament director has the right to use any appropriate rating.
    • CFC ratings are primarily used.
    • Unrated players are not eligible for class prizes.
  • Prizes:
    • Ties for cash prizes will be split.
    • Players are only entitled to one cash prize.
  • Observe Other Games: Observers must not distract players.
  • Electronics:
    • All electronics must be turned off.
    • Electronics must be stored away.
    • Photo/video is allowed in the first 10 minutes of play.
  • FIDE Adherence: Tournaments adhere to FIDE Laws of Chess.
  • Time Controls: Time controls will be announced.
  • Dispute Resolution: Disputes are settled by the tournament director.
  • Touch-Move Rule: The touch-move rule is in effect.
  • Illegal Moves: Illegal moves will be handled according to FIDE/CFC rules.
  • Recording Moves: Recording moves is required in rated tournaments.
  • Use of Clocks: Players are responsible for proper clock use.
  • Draw Offers: Draw offers must be clear.
  • Claim a Draw/Win on Time: Claims must be made properly and disputes settled by the tournament director.