Additional Information

Organisers and Arbiters

Terms & Conditions

By entering the CAQ Queensland Rapid Championship 2026 you agree to the following terms.

1. Entries & payment

• All entries must be made and paid through TryBooking. Entry fees exclude TryBooking processing fees.
• Early bird pricing applies to entries completed by 11:59pm Saturday 21 November 2026. Standard pricing applies after that.
• Titled players (GM, WGM, IM, WIM) enter free but must still register through TryBooking.
• Entries close when the event is full or at the organisers' discretion. Entries on the day may not be accepted.

2. Refunds & withdrawals

• Full refunds, less TryBooking processing fees, are available on request until 11:59pm Friday 27 November 2026.
• No refunds are given after this time, except if the event is cancelled by the organisers.
• Players who need to withdraw during the event must tell an arbiter. Players who miss a round without notice may be withdrawn from the tournament.

3. Eligibility & ratings

• The tournament is open to all players.
• The event is FIDE Rapid, ACF Quick and QJ rated. Results will be submitted to FIDE, the ACF and Queensland Junior Chess.
• Players without a FIDE ID can still enter. The arbiters will arrange one using the details provided at entry (full name, date of birth, gender and federation). Overseas players must already hold a FIDE ID with their own federation.

4. Playing rules

• The tournament is played under the current FIDE Laws of Chess, including the Rapid Chess regulations (Appendix A).
• 9 round Swiss. Time control: 10 minutes per player plus a 5 second increment per move, from move 1.
• Pairings are made by computer and are final once published, except to correct a genuine error.
• Players may request a zero-point bye for any round except round 9 by telling an arbiter before the previous round ends.

5. Schedule & late arrival

• Players should arrive by 9:30am. Round 1 starts at 10:00am, there is a lunch break during the day, and prize presentations follow the final round (approximately 4:00pm).
• The default time is 10 minutes: a player who is not at the board 10 minutes after their round has started loses the game.
• Rounds may start early if all games in the previous round have finished.

6. Mobile phones & electronic devices

• Phones, smartwatches and all electronic devices must be switched off (not on silent) and stored in a bag away from the board for the whole game.
• If a player's device makes any sound in the playing area, or is found on their person during play, that player loses the game.

7. Conduct & fair play

• Players must not use notes, sources of information or advice during play, or analyse games in the playing area.
• Spectators must stay silent, keep away from the boards and must not assist players in any way.
• Abusive, disruptive or unsporting behaviour will not be tolerated. The arbiters may penalise, default or remove any player or spectator.
• All decisions of the Chief Arbiter are final.

8. Prizes

• The prize pool is a guaranteed minimum of $2,000 and may increase with entries.
• Cash prizes for tied places are shared equally. Trophies and medals are awarded on tiebreak, in this order: Buchholz Cut 1, Buchholz, then Sonneborn-Berger.
• Each player can win only one cash prize, the highest they are eligible for.
• Players must attend the prize presentation or arrange collection with the organisers.
• The CAQ may apply its own eligibility rules for the title of Queensland Rapid Champion.

9. Special prize eligibility

• Best Junior: under 18 on 1 January 2026.  Best Under-12: under 12 on 1 January 2026.
• Best Girl: female players under 18 on 1 January 2026.  Best Female: all female players.
• Upset Prize: the win against the highest-rated opponent relative to the winner's own rating, using ratings at the start of the event.
• Rating group prizes: rating groups will be announced before round 1.

10. Photos, results & privacy

• Players' names, ratings, federations, pairings and results will be published online, including on the UQ Chess Club website, Vega, CAQ, ACF and FIDE.
• Photos and video may be taken during the event and used by UQ Chess Club, Brisbane Chess Club and the CAQ. Please tell an arbiter if you would prefer not to be photographed.

11. Juniors & venue

• Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising players under 18 when they are not playing.
• Players and spectators must follow University of Queensland venue rules. Personal belongings are left at the owner's risk.
• The organisers reserve the right to refuse any entry and to change the schedule or arrangements if necessary.

Questions

Email fsimic594@gmail.com about entries, eligibility or anything on the day.