Organiser’s Details
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Chief Organiser | Winston Zhao Chen |
| Chief Arbiter | IA Dr Peter Tsai |
| Deputy Chief Arbiter | IA Dr Charles Zworestine |
| Arbiter | NA Bevan Clouston |
| Arbiter | FA Winston Zhao Chen |
For questions and enquiries, please email winston@rootyhillchessclub.org
Exceptions to play in the Championships division of the event will not be granted under any circumstances. The only methods of qualification are listed underneath. Please do not contact us to request one, as it will be denied.
Time Control
| Tournament | Time Control | Rounds |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney International Open – Championships | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move | 9 |
| Sydney International Open – Challengers | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move | 9 |
| Sydney International Open – Contenders | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move | 9 |
| Sydney International Open – Blitz | 3 minutes + 2 seconds per move | 11 |
The three classical time control events will be FIDE Standard and ACF Normal Rated.
The Sydney International Blitz Open will be FIDE Blitz and ACF Quick-Rated.
Byes
Only one half-point bye is permitted in the Championships division. No half-point byes are permitted in Rounds 8 and 9.
Only two half-point byes are permitted in the Challengers and Contenders division. No half-point byes are permitted in Rounds 8 and 9.
Half-point byes must be requested before the start of the previous round. (e.g. For a half-point bye in Round 4, it must be requested at the latest before the start of Round 3)
No half-point byes are permitted in the Blitz division.
Please email byes@sio.rootyhillchessclub.org to request a bye.
Forfeits
For all three classical divisions, the forfeit time is 30 minutes from the start of the round. Extensions may be granted if communicated to the arbiters before the forfeit time expires, such as due to transportation disruption.
Please email byes@sio.rootyhillchessclub.org if you are running late.
For the Blitz championships, the forfeit time occurs after flag fall has occurred on the clock.
Players who are forfeited will be withdrawn from the tournament automatically unless a valid reason is provided for the absence at the Chief Arbiter and Chief Organiser’s discretion. Players without a valid reason for the absence must pay a $50 fee to re-enter the tournament. The fee is $20 for the Blitz.
Rules
Tournament Wide Rules
All games played are under the FIDE Laws of Chess.
Please familiarise yourself with the FIDE Laws of Chess before the start of the tournament.
Any players caught with a phone or other electronic device in their possession (regardless if it is on or off) will immediately lose the game.
A parent must accompany juniors under 12 at all times except during their game. West HQ next door is a licensed club, and juniors cannot enter without a parent or guardian present.
All phones in the playing area must be switched off. No phones may be taken out of the playing area without the permission of the Chief Arbiter and Chief Organiser, except for the first 10 minutes of a Round, when photos and videos may be taken. If a spectator is seen with a phone in the playing area, they will be asked to leave for the remainder of the day.
Other wearable devices, such as headphones and digital and analogue watches, are also prohibited during the round. If you are unsure if they are allowed, please ask one of the arbiters at the event.
Players who have completed their games are considered to be spectators. Spectators are not to disturb the players in the playing area. Spectators or players who disturb the playing environment will receive only one warning. The second violation will result in expulsion from the event.
The organisers reserve the right to transfer players into different divisions of the event based on their rating. The player may be required to pay the difference in entry fee or may receive a partial refund of the entry fee.
There is to be no analysis in the playing hall after the conclusion of a game.
The pairings for each classical division will be published in the evening on the 8th of April, 2026. Late entries received on the 8th are not guaranteed a game in Round 1. The Chief Arbiter reserves the right to modify the draw if there are player withdrawals but will aim to minimise changes to the pairings.
Championships Division Rules
The two highest-rated players under 2000 FIDE under the April FIDE rating lists will be eligible to play in the Championships division of the Sydney International Open. To be considered for this, you must register for the SIO before the 1st of April in the Championships division. All players over 2000 FIDE on the April rating list are also eligible to play in the Championships division.
Following feedback to help increase the participation of female players within top-level chess in Australia, the 3 highest-rated female players between 1800 and 2000 FIDE Standard on the April list will be accepted to participate in the Championships division.
The arbiter will accept no draws under 30 moves unless by three-fold repetition in the Championships division only. (i.e., both players must have played 30 moves before a draw is allowed unless the draw occurs through three-fold repetition). As this is a Championship, players are expected to play “normally” at all times. Pre-arranged or absurd games will not be accepted, and both players will receive a double forfeit. Draws under 30 moves are permitted in the Challengers and Contenders division of the tournament.
Players in the Championships division will have a designated personal item storage area and must place their items in this spot. Someone will monitor the items at all times to ensure their safety.
Partitions will separate the Championships division from the rest of the tournament, and spectator entry will be limited. Spectators will only be allowed into the Championships division after storing their electronic devices in a designated area.
Players may be chosen at random for a metal detector scan after the end of their games
Further details regarding the increased level of anti-cheating protection for the Championships division will be communicated closer to the event’s date.
Pairing Rules
Pairings will follow the FIDE Dutch Swiss System. This means no players are knocked out of the tournament, and everyone will get a game!
Pairings in the Challengers and Blitz will be done via the FIDE Approved Baku Acceleration Method. Pairings for the Contenders will be done via the regular FIDE Dutch Swiss System. Pairings will be sorted using ACF ratings, followed by FIDE if ACF is zero.
Pairings in the Championships will follow the regular FIDE Dutch Swiss System and be sorted using FIDE ratings only.
The results must be written down on the result slip and signed by both players. Even if the result entered on the slip is incorrect, once submitted, it shall stand unless the Chief Arbiter decides otherwise. The correct result will be entered for rating purposes only.
The full results of each Round will be published on the website immediately after the last game, followed by the draw for the next round.
The Direct Encounter, Bucholtz Total, Bucholtz Cut 1, and Bucholtz Cut 2 will be used as tie-breakers in the final standings in that order.
Photography and Videography
Spectators are permitted to take photos and videos of the playing area following the first 10 minutes after the start of the round. Afterwards, only photographers and videographers authorised by the event’s Chief Organiser and Chief Arbiter are allowed to use cameras within the playing area. No flash photography is permitted under any circumstances.
Cameras must have their shutter sound disabled or set to silent shutter to prevent disturbing the players. Flash photography is not permitted.
Smoking
There is to be no smoking at the tournament. If you need to smoke, you must head to the designated smoking area outdoors, as indicated by the signage placed by the club after your game. Players are not permitted to leave for a smoke break during their game.
Appeals
In classical events, if players disagree with the arbiter’s decision, they are entitled to appeal to the Deputy Chief Arbiter, followed by the Chief Arbiter. If the player wishes to appeal the decision of the Chief Arbiter further, an appeal must be made to the Appeals Committee. A $100 bond is to be lodged with the appeal to the organised, which may be refunded, depending on the decision of the Appeal Committee.
No appeals are permitted following the Chief Arbiter’s decision in Blitz. (Article 11.10 of the FIDE Laws of Chess)
Appeals made will go to the NSWCA Appeals Committee
Rules may change at the organisers devision until the start of the event, and will be communicated with players.