NEW ZEALAND CHESS FEDERATION Arbiters Structure and Allocation

To keep things simple, FIDE regulations have been simplified and generalised in an attempt to make things easier to understand in a New Zealand context.

Purpose For NZCF to be self sufficient in organising chess events (tournaments). To comply with FIDE regulations.

Arbiter Titles • IA , International Arbiter. Highest arbiter title. • FA , FIDE Arbiter.

• “NA”, National Arbiter. Untitled licensed arbiters from 2013.

IA and FA titled arbiters are further classified into A, B, C or D categories.

Arbiter Qualification requirements for events. FIDE rated events • From 1st January 2013, only licensed arbiters. • Licensed arbiters are IA, FA and NA.

FIDE rated events where player norms (GM, IM, WGM, WIM) are possible • IA or FA titled arbiters only. • From 1st January 2013, only licensed IA or FA.

Higher level events • IA or FA with the classifications as defined in table below:

Arbiter role in Event Event Type Chief Arbiter Major WE Major World Event Deputy Chief Arbiter Minor WE Minor World Event Arbiter Major CE Major Continental Event Assistant Arbiter Minor CE Minor Continental Event

Arbiter Classification requirements for tournaments Arbiter Role Event Major WE Minor WE Major CE Minor CE Chief Arbiter A, B A, B A, B A, B, C Deputy Chief Arbiter A, B A, B, C A, B, C A, B, C, D Arbiter A, B, C A, B, C, D A, B, C, D A, B, C, D Assistant Arbiter B, C, D B, C, D B, C, D B, C, D

Page 1 of 6 NEW ZEALAND CHESS FEDERATION Arbiters Structure and Allocation

Qualification Pathway Step 1 Apply to become a NA, through: 1. Commitment to be an arbiter of at least 1 FIDE rated event per year. 2. Obtaining organiser support to be appointed as arbiter of FIDE rated events. 3. Paying the $50 license fee.

NAs are expected to eventually obtain FA title.

Step 2 Qualify for FA, by obtaining both of: 1. Attend seminar and pass exam (minimum score 80% to pass). 2. Earn 3 FA norms. A FA norm is earned when the prospective FA is either the chief or deputy chief arbiter at a FIDE rated event. FIDE rated events that are valid for FA norms are: • Minimum 10 players if played with Round Robin system. • Minimum 6 players if played with Double Round Robin system. • Minimum 20 players if played with Swiss system.

FA exam expires in 4 years. All FA norms (exam is considered to be a norm) must have start dates within a period of 6 years. FA norms expire by the 2nd FIDE Congress after the latest FA norm date.

Step 3 Qualify for IA, by obtaining sequentially: 1. Have FA title awarded. 2. Earn 4 IA norms. An IA norm is earned when a titled FA is either the chief or deputy chief arbiter at a FIDE rated event that meets the following criteria: • The final of the National Individual (adult) Championship (maximum two norms). • All official FIDE tournaments and matches. • International tournaments where FIDE title norms for players are possible. • International FIDE rated chess events with at least 100 players, at least 30% FIDE rated players, and at least 7 rounds (maximum one norm) . • All official World and Continental Rapid Championships (maximum one norm).

All IA norms must have start dates within a period of 6 years. IA norms expire by the 2nd FIDE Congress after the latest IA norm date.

Page 2 of 6 NEW ZEALAND CHESS FEDERATION Arbiters Structure and Allocation

Step 4a Get approved as a Lecturer for FA seminars, by obtaining sequentially: 1. Have IA title awarded. 2. Serve as assistant lecturer in at least 3 FA seminars.

Step 4b Progress up classification ladder by categories

D category • All IA or FA that are active and not in any other category are automatically here.

C category • Active IA or FA in last 5 years. • Acted as chief or deputy chief arbiter in 2 minor continental events in last 5 years. Minor continental events include Continental school individual or team championships, Continental Blitz or Rapid championships, Teams tournaments or Swiss tournaments with more than 150 players.

B category • Active IA in last 5 years. • Acted as chief or deputy chief arbiter in 2 major continental or 2 minor world events in last 5 years. Major continental events include Continental Individual/Team championships for men/women, Continental Junior/Youth championships, Continental Club tournaments. Minor world events include World School Individual championships, World Amateur championships for men/women, World Senior championships for men/women, Olympiad u16, World Rapid or Blitz championships.

A category • Active IA in last 5 years. • Acted as chief or deputy chief arbiter in 1 major world event in last 5 years. Major world events include World Individual championships for men/women, World Cup, World Team championships for men/women, World Youth and Junior championships, FIDE Grand Prix tournaments.

Page 3 of 6 NEW ZEALAND CHESS FEDERATION Arbiters Structure and Allocation

Maintaining Arbiter Licenses Activity requirements IA • In the last 2 years, earn the equivalent of 1 FA norm.

FA • In the last 2 years, earn the equivalent of 1 FA norm.

NA • In the last 2 years, earn the equivalent of 1 FA norm.

A FA norm is earned through being either the chief or deputy chief arbiter at a FIDE rated event. FIDE rated events that are valid for FA norms are: • Minimum 10 players if played with Round Robin system. • Minimum 6 players if played with Double Round Robin system. • Minimum 20 players if played with Swiss system.

Event Allocation FIDE rated events that are valid for FA norms • For prospective FA who have passed FA exam. • For IA, FA and NA to stay active • Priority depends on urgency for activity or norm.

FIDE rated events that are valid for IA norms • For prospective IA who are already FA. • Chief arbiter position for IA then FA. • Priority depends on urgency for activity or norm.

Higher level events • For IA to progress up categories. • For IA to maintain category. • Priority depends on urgency.

FA seminar • For IA Lecturer to maintain activity. • For IA to earn Lecturer norms as assistant lecturer.

Page 4 of 6 NEW ZEALAND CHESS FEDERATION Arbiters Structure and Allocation

Licensed NZL arbiters IA • Bob Gibbons (C category) (Lecturer) (active 2012) • Peter Stuart (D category) (active 2012)

FA • Keong Ang (D category) (3 IA norms) (active 2012) • Craig Hall (D category) (3 IA norms) (active 2012) • Bruce Pollard (D category) (1 IA norms) (active 2012)

NA •

Page 5 of 6 NEW ZEALAND CHESS FEDERATION Arbiters Structure and Allocation

Operational Policy and Procedures Arbiter License

• NZCF pays for arbiter titles (IA & FA) and licenses. 1. Arbiter titles are valid for life. 2. Arbiter licenses are valid as long as the arbiter is active.

• NZCF does not pay for untitled arbiter (NA) licenses. 1. It is expected that organisers or clubs that wish to hold FIDE rated events would pay the $50 licensing fee. 2. Individuals are entitled to pay for their NA license personally. 3. The licensing fee is to deter licensing NAs that have little chance of staying active.

• NZCF does not pay for relicensing arbiters that lose their licenses through inactivity. 1. To minimise costs, NZCF would only license arbiters where there is reasonable expectation of future activity. 2. It is recommended that all FIDE rated events have both, a chief and deputy chief arbiter, in order to maximise norms and maintain activity requirements. 3. Currently, only clubs that have regular FIDE rated events would require licensed arbiters.

• NZCF is not responsible to keep licensed arbiters active. 1. A register of licensed arbiters is listed in the previous page. 2. Reasonable effort would be made to ensure licensed arbiter activity, however it is the arbiters themselves who are ultimately responsible for their activity status. 3. Organisers and clubs are encouraged to check with NZCF regarding allocation of arbiter positions in FIDE rated tournaments.

• Contact person in NZCF. 1. The NZCF secretary is the first point of contact regarding arbiters in New Zealand. 2. Contact details: Keong Ang

Page 6 of 6