FIDE Arbiter Guidelines - SPM CHESS ACADEMY | Kolkata's Fun Chess School for Kids

Introduction to Chess Arbiter's Role

Arbiters play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and smooth operation of chess tournaments. According to FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs), arbiters are responsible for:

Ensuring fair play and adherence to the Laws of Chess
Making rulings on disputes between players
Supervising time controls and game procedures
Handling anti-cheating measures
Maintaining proper tournament conditions

Types of FIDE Arbiter Titles

FIDE recognizes several arbiter titles with increasing levels of responsibility:

National Arbiter (NA)

Basic arbiter title awarded by national federations. Requirements include passing a national arbiter exam and officiating in local tournaments.

FIDE Arbiter (FA)

International recognition for experienced arbiters. Requires officiating in FIDE-rated tournaments and passing the FIDE Arbiter exam.

International Arbiter (IA)

Senior arbiters qualified for major tournaments. Must have extensive experience in international events.

FIDE Senior Arbiter (FSA)

Highest level for the most experienced officials who have supervised top-level tournaments.

Essential Arbiter Guidelines

Pre-Tournament Preparation

Tournament Regulations Review: Study specific tournament rules including zero tolerance policies
Venue Inspection: Check lighting (minimum 1000 lux), spacing (1.5m between tables), and noise levels
Equipment Verification: Test all chess clocks, verify sets are complete with standard Staunton design

During the Tournament

Starting the Game

Verify player identities against registration lists
Set time controls precisely on digital clocks
Announce "White's clock is running" when starting

Monitoring Games

First illegal move: Add 2 minutes to opponent's time
Draw offers must be made after moving but before pressing clock
For time forfeits, clearly announce when flag has fallen

Handling Disputes

Listen to both players separately before making ruling
Maintain quiet in playing area and restrict flash photography
Any electronic device making sound leads to immediate loss

Special Situations

Quickplay Finish

When one player has less than 2 minutes remaining:

Players may stop clocks and summon arbiter
Arbiter may appoint witnesses to observe
May declare game drawn if opponent is not trying to win by normal means

Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess)

Verify initial position is correctly set up
Castling rules must be clearly explained to players
Note that en passant is possible from starting position

Anti-Cheating Measures

Preventive Actions

Restrict player movement during game
Monitor frequent restroom visits
Watch for suspicious behavior patterns

Arbiter Code of Ethics

FIDE arbiters must adhere to strict ethical standards:

Impartiality: Treat all players equally regardless of rating or nationality
Professionalism: Maintain proper decorum and appearance
Competence: Stay updated on rule changes and interpretations
Confidentiality: Keep player disputes and private information confidential
Integrity: Avoid conflicts of interest (e.g., games involving relatives)

Practical Scenarios

Scenario 1: Mobile Phone Rings

Situation: A player's phone rings during the game.

Action:

Immediately stop the clocks
Verify the phone belongs to the player
Declare the game lost for the offending player
Document the incident in tournament report

Scenario 2: Dispute Over Draw Claim

Situation: Player claims threefold repetition, opponent denies.

Action:

Stop both clocks
Examine scoresheets with both players
If claim is valid, declare game drawn
If not valid, continue game with 2 minutes added to opponent's time

FIDE Resources for Arbiters

Official Documents

Laws of Chess
Arbiter's Manual
Anti-Cheating Guidelines

Download Resources

Training Materials

FIDE Arbiter Seminar materials
Case studies
Online training courses

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Software Tools

Pairing programs
Clock management software
Rating calculation tools

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