NZ Chess Congress 2026

NZCF and FIDE Rating: Tournaments will be NZCF-rated and FIDE-rated where possible.

Pairings and Rating-Based Prizes: FIDE ratings will be used before NZCF ratings for pairings and rating-based prizes. Players without FIDE or NZCF ratings may be assigned a rating by the Chief Arbiter. The most recently-published rating lists will be used (January for FIDE, September or January for NZCF).

Pairings: Pairings will be done with the assistance of Vega. For standard tournaments, pairings will not be final i.e. published for the purposes of FIDE regulations until 30 minutes before the round start time.

NZ Player: Per NZCF regulations, NZ citizen or a player who is normally resident in New Zealand and has been resident in New Zealand for at least one year prior to Congress.

Multiple Prizes and Tiebreaks: Players may not win more than one cash prize in a tournament – the highest cash prize will be paid and other prizes will be passed down to the next highest-placed player. Titles and cash prizes will be shared by eligible players on the same score and ties will not be broken.

Players Meetings: Players meetings will be held for all tournaments 30 minutes before the scheduled start of the first round as noted in the individual tournament timetables. Players who do not attend the players meeting for a tournament may be excluded from the first round of that tournament.

Defaults: Default time is 30 minutes after the start of the round.

Appeals: A player may appeal against a decision of the Arbiter in a tournament other than the NZ Lightning Championship (no appeals allowed). Appeals Committees for each tournament will be appointed by the Organiser from the players. Appeals must be lodged in writing within 30 minutes of the end of the game (10 minutes for the NZ Rapid Championship). A fee of $100 will apply, to be refunded if the appeal is successful or otherwise at the discretion of the Appeals Committee.

Mobile Phones/Electronic Devices: During a game, players are forbidden to have a mobile phone, electronic means of communication or any device capable of suggesting chess moves on their person in the playing venue. Such devices may be stored in a player’s bag or jacket, which is to be left under their table or the back of their chair during the game unless permission is given by the Arbiter. Such devices are to be switched off and are not to make any noise. Breaches of this rule will result in loss of game unless the Arbiter decides otherwise. This includes smart watches but not standard analogue or digital watches.

Photos: Spectators may take photos during the first 5 minutes of a round.

Covid-19: If Congress is cancelled due to Covid-19, entry fees will be refunded. Organisers will not be responsible for any further compensation to affected players.