K4 Classical League — Rules
Everything you need for a fair, friendly season of slow chess.
In short
- Swiss system, 7 rounds. A round every two weeks (round 6 runs three weeks over the holidays); the last round is a single day at the club.
- Time control 30+30: 30 minutes each, plus 30 seconds per move.
- Win 1 · draw ½ · loss 0. A requested bye scores ½ (at most 3 per season, none in round 7). A pairing bye, when the numbers are odd, also scores ½.
- Play at Schachklub Kreis 4 on Tuesday evenings, or anywhere you both agree. Arrange the game over WhatsApp.
- Either player enters the result through their personal link, within 24 hours of the game.
- Ask for a bye before the round's deadline — noon on the Sunday before pairings are made.
Format
A Swiss tournament pairs you against opponents on a similar score, so everyone gets competitive games from round one, whatever their rating. Seven rounds, no elimination — you play every round unless you take a bye. The exact dates of each round are on the tournament page.
Schedule and deadlines
- Pairings for a round are made on the Sunday evening before its playing window opens. You get them by email and on your personal link.
- The playing window runs from that Monday to the Sunday of the following week. The game deadline is Sunday 23:59 of the last week.
- Bye requests are open until 12:00 on the Sunday the round is paired, through your personal link. A bye scores ½ point. You may take up to 3 in the season; there are no byes for round 7.
- A game that is not played by the deadline is decided by the organisers: a forfeit against the player who did not make it possible, a double forfeit when neither did, or an unplayed ½–½ when both players agree in time.
- Round 7 is played on Friday 15 January 2027 at the club, starting at 19:00. Pairings the evening before; all games on the day.
Where to play
Games are played at Schachklub Kreis 4 on Tuesday evenings, or at a place and time both players agree on. The club is the default — it is where the season happens, and you'll find a clock and a board waiting.
If meeting in person really is not possible, you may play the game online on Lichess. Keep this the exception, and agree on it with your opponent beforehand.
Recording your game
Record every game on a scoresheet — the club has them, or print one from any chess site. If you play online, the game record from Lichess counts as your scoresheet.
Reporting results
- Either player enters the result on their personal link. Do it within 24 hours of the game.
- Paste the moves (PGN) with the result. Lichess, Chess.com and most scoresheet apps export it in one tap.
- A played game only counts with its moves. Without a valid PGN the result is not recorded. For a game that was not played, give a short reason instead.
- Your opponent sees the result on their link and can confirm it. If the two of you disagree, the organisers settle it.
- Standings update automatically after each round is closed.
Basic chess rules (FIDE)
Touch-move. Touch a piece intending to move it and you must move it, if it has a legal move. Touch an opponent's piece intending to capture and you must capture it, if that is legal. Say "j'adoube" before adjusting a piece.
Illegal moves. If you make an illegal move and your opponent notices, take it back and make a legal move with the same piece if you can; otherwise any legal move.
Check and checkmate. You must get out of check on your next move. Checkmate ends the game.
The clock. Press it with the hand you moved with. If your flag falls and your opponent has mating material, you lose.
Draws. Stalemate, threefold repetition, the 50-move rule, or by agreement.
Conduct and fair play
We play to have fun and to get better. Be on time, be respectful, and shake hands whatever the result. If something goes wrong, tell the organisers — their decision is final, and they will be fair.
Agreement
By taking part you accept these rules and the organisers' decisions. Most importantly: enjoy the games.