07. Chess Olympiad

Regulations for the Chess Olympiad
1.	General
	1.1	The Chess Olympiad is the principal team contest organized by FIDE.
		1.1.1	The Olympiad is held regularly at two year intervals in the autumn of the even numbered years (1992, 1994, etc.).
		1.1.2	The Olympiad for both the men's and the women's teams must be held, if possible, at a single venue.
		1.1.3	However, in exceptional cases as determined by the FIDE General Assembly or (in between congresses) by the President - separate venues may be used for the men's and women's contests.
		1.1.4	Organizing body: FIDE, represented by the FIDE President.
		1.1.5	Administrator
			1.1.5.1	The administrator is appointed through a special selection process (section 2 below).
			1.1.5.2	The administrator is responsible to FIDE, and must abide by these regulations.
			1.1.5.3	The administrator shall make available all necessary premises, staff and funds for the contest. The minimum requirements are laid down in individual sections of these regulations.
			1.1.5.4	The administrator may utilize the services of outside bodies or private persons for the purpose of financing and running the contest.
			1.1.5.5	Administrators may be proposed by the Federations.
			1.1.5.6	The President may also receive offers from sponsors outside the sphere of FIDE.
			1.1.5.7	The tasks of the administrator are detailed in subsequent sections of these regulations.
		1.1.6	FIDE Congress The administrator who undertakes the running of the Chess Olympiad must also undertake to hold the FIDE Congress for the same year. Exceptions may be made by the General Assembly or the President (compare 1.13 above).
		1.1.7	Participants
			1.1.7.1	FIDE and the Organizing Committee shall appoint officers, and/or specialist sub-committees to control the play and conduct the administrative business of the Olympiad, as specified in further detail in the organization plans (D.II.07 Annexes A, B and C).
			1.1.7.2	Players The national teams of federations affiliated to FIDE. Men: 4 players, 2 reserves Women: 3 players, 1 reserve
			1.1.7.3	Captains Each team shall have a captain, who may also be one of the players (or reserve). Duties: Leadership of the team matches Liaison with the Chief Arbiter
			1.1.7.4	Chiefs of delegations The Federations take full responsibility for the conduct of their players. Every Federation shall be represented by a Chief of delegation; it may either appoint a person exclusively to this office, or entrust the team captain, or one of the players or reserves, with this function. Duties: Administrative supervision of the team Liaison with the organizing authorities and Tournament Director.
2.	Appointment of the administrator
	2.1	A proposal to undertake the organization and running of a Chess Olympiad may take the form of a direct and concrete offer or a provisional application (for the granting of an "option" - see below).
		2.1.1	A decision on the proposals shall be made by the General Assembly;
		2.1.2	by the President (in between congresses, after the expiry of the "option").
	2.2	Applications Instead of a direct, firm offer, an application may be made for an "option" to organize the Chess Olympiad.
		2.2.1	A provisional application shall be made on the form prescribed by the FIDE handbook, and submitted to the General Secretary.
		2.2.2	(GA '96) A provisional application fee of 1,000 Swiss Francs must at the same time be paid to FIDE.
		2.2.3	The General Assembly shall decide on the order in which the Federations that made provisional applications will be granted options (first, second, third, etc.).
		2.2.4	For the organization of a Chess Olympiad (SFr. 10,000) less the provisional application fee already paid of SFr. 1,000.
		2.2.5	If the deposit is not paid on time, then the option is cancelled the provisional application fee is forfeited, and an option is granted to the next Federation (in the order laid down by the General Assembly).
		2.2.6	If the paragraph 2.25 is enforced, the FIDE General Secretary shall inform the Federation that has been accorded the next option. The procedure shall then be continued as in paragraph 2.24.
		2.3.1	The offers or bids are to be made in writing, on the application form.
		2.3.2	Acceptance of an offer by the General Assembly is conditioned upon payment of a deposit of 10,000 Swiss Francs to FIDE before the close of the session of the General Assembly where the bid was accepted, by the federation making the offer. A bank guarantee or deposit in escrow in the total sum of SFr. 1,000,000 (One Million Swiss Francs) must be issued in favour of FIDE based on the following payment schedules: issuance of the first tranch of the bank guarantee or deposit in escrow in the sum of SFr. 150,000 (One Hundred Fifty Thousand Swiss Francs) in favour of FIDE not later than thirty days after the acceptance of the bid by the General Assembly; issuance of the second tranch of the bank guarantee or deposit in escrow in the sum of SFr. 300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Swiss Francs) within the period of one year after the acceptance of the bid by the General Assembly, but before the beginning of the next session of the General Assembly; issuance of the third tranch of the bank guarantee or deposit in escrow in the sum of SFr. 300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Swiss Francs) within the period of two years after the acceptance of the bid by the General Assembly, but before the beginning of the next session of the General Assembly; issuance of the fourth tranch of the bank guarantee or deposit in escrow in the sum of SFr. 250,000 (Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Swiss Francs) bringing the total sum of the bank guarantee or deposit in escrow to SFr.1,000,000 (One Million Swiss Francs) within the period of three years after the acceptance of the bid by the General Assembly, but before the end of the next session of the General Assembly.
		2.3.3	The bank guarantee or deposit in escrow issued to FIDE under and by virtue of Art.2.32 above, must be accepted as valid by FIDE's bankers Credit Suisse, Switzerland.
		2.3.4	At any time, the deposit fee, the bank guarantee or deposit in escrow, or any portion of the bank guarantee or deposit in escrow issued in favour of FIDE shall be forfeited to FIDE if the applicant is in breach of the schedule of payments in Art.2.32 above or fails to organise the Olympiad.
3.	Period of preparation for the Chess Olympiad
	3.1	After the appointment of an administrator, the preparatory period begins.
	3.2	Draft submitted to the FIDE President
		3.2.1	Not later than six months before the start of the tournament, the Federation entrusted with the organization must deliver to the FIDE President a draft of the invitation to the tournament, which shall contain full information on the following: venue; dates for the start and finish of the Chess Olympiad, and application deadlines; material arrangements for the participating teams; travel facilities, conditions for the visas, etc.
		3.2.2	At the same time as this draft is submitted, the President must be invited to inspect the venue, and to conduct a preliminary discussion at the administrator's expense.
	3.3	Confirmation Immediately afterwards, the draft invitation shall receive the President's confirmation, with (if appropriate) a note of any modification which he considers desirable on the basis of his inspection of the venue and the preliminary discussion. If necessary, further inspection may be arranged.
	3.4	Organizing Committee On receiving the President's confirmation (3.3), the Federation of the administrator shall form an organizing committee, the duties of which are laid down in section 4.
	3.5	Invitation to the Federations Not later than five months before the start of the Olympiad, the organizing Federation shall send the invitation in its final form to all Federations affiliated to FIDE. Copies of the invitation are to be forwarded to the members of the Executive Board and the Zone Presidents.
	3.6	Notice of participation
		3.6.1	Not later than four months before the start of the tournament, every Federation that intends to participate must inform the organizing Federation of its acceptance of the invitation. Copies of the letter of acceptance should at the same time be sent to the FIDE General Secretary and the President of the Federation's Zone. The Administrator is not allowed to let Federations, which did not fulfil this demand, participate in the Olympiad (PB '98)
		3.6.2	At the same time, the Federation concerned must pay FIDE the requisite entry fee, failing which the Federation shall not be allowed to participate in the Olympiad (PB '98)
	3.7	Submission of team lists
		3.7.1	At 3 months to the Olympiad, but not later than two (PB '98) months before the start of the tournament, every Federation that has entered must notify the following details to the Administrator: name and initials of the Chief of Delegation; name and initials of the team captain; name of each team member (one first name in full, initials of additional first names, surname); FIDE rating of team members (according to the most recent FIDE rating list); any information required in connection with visas.
		3.7.2	Late notification of team particulars shall be accepted up to 20 hours before the start of Round 1 (PB '98).
		3.7.3	The ranking of teams shall be finalized 16 hours before the start of the first round.
4.	Organization of the Chess Olympiad by the Administrator
	4.1	Organizing Committee The Chess Olympiad shall be held in accordance with the FIDE organization scheme laid out in D.II.07, annexes A, B and C.
		4.1.1	The Federation entrusted with the organization shall, in consultation with the administrator, appoint a chairman for the organizing committee.
		4.1.2	The chairman of the organizing committee shall assign personnel to the committee's sub-departments, except in so far as this falls within the competence of FIDE.
		4.1.3	Each sub-department shall be assigned a manager; the chairman is free to decide on any further administrative divisions that he considers necessary.
		4.1.4	A tournament physician must be at the disposal of the participants for the duration of the contest.
		4.1.5	A list of the staff in the organizational sub-departments must be supplied to the FIDE General Secretary and to the organizing Federation. Addresses, telephone numbers, telex and telefax numbers (where applicable) should be included.
		4.1.6	After the organizing committee is constituted, further arrangements for the Chess Olympiad shall follow guidelines laid down by the FIDE President.
		4.1.7	In addition to this, the administrator shall take responsibility for informing his Federation of points which he considers to be important.
	4.2	Finance
		4.2.1	Combined financial accounts are to be kept; all ascertainable income and expenditure must be itemized for inspection.
		4.2.2	The FIDE President shall be kept informed of the financial aspects of the Olympiad.
		4.2.3	Income accruing from the Chess Olympiad through admission charges, concessions, sale of equipment, etc., shall go to the administrator.
		4.2.4	The television rights, including video and film rights, belong to the administrator who shall pay 20% of the revenue to FIDE.
		4.2.5	FIDE shall be reimbursed for the expenses it incurs in direct connection with the contest and its preparation, according to the account presented by the General Secretary.
	4.3	Provision of amenities and stipends
		4.3.1	The form of amenities provided for members of the organizing committee, and the extent of compensation paid to them in the absence of work shall be at the discretion of a panel consisting of the following committee members: chairman manager of the sub-department for finance representative of the organizing Federation.
		4.3.2	To the FIDE principals (see 4.3.3), the administrator shall pay stipends and provide amenities as detailed in the following paragraphs. Any intended changes in the level of stipends and pocket money shall be submitted by the President to the General Assembly for approval.
		4.3.3	The FIDE principals are: the President, the Chief Arbiter, the six Senior Arbiters, the three members of the Pairing Committee, and the three members of the Appeals Committee. The functions of these principals are laid down in section 6: Parties to the Chess Olympiad.
			4.3.3.1	The stipend shall be SFr.6,000 for the President, SFr.5,000 for the Chief Arbiter and SFr.3,000 for each of the other principals.
			4.3.3.2	Any of the principals who are active at the Olympiad for only part of the time shall only receive a pro rata portion of the stipend.
			4.3.3.3	For the services of the FIDE General Secretary, a fee of 3,000 SFr. shall be paid.
			4.3.3.4	The administrator shall make personal stewards available to the principals, to ensure the provision of amenities for the duration of the contest, including agreed periods before and afterwards, these stewards must be available round the clock.
			4.3.3.5	The administrator is responsible only for such amenities as are actually utilized by any of the principals during the period of the contest and in the course of activity directly connected with it, the tournament venue or in transit.
			4.3.3.6	The administrator shall be host to the principals for the entire duration of the contest.
		4.3.4	Provision for the principals
			4.3.4.1	Travel The President is entitled to first class travel by air, sea or rail. For all other principals, provisions shall be made for return travel by air, sea or rail, or, at their own option, by other means of transport which shall not, however, be more costly to the administrator than air travel. All travel arrangements shall be made by the administrator. Principals who wish to make their own arrangements shall do so entirely at their own risk.
			4.3.4.2	Accommodation For the President: a suite in a hotel of his choice. For each of the other principals: a double room with bath/WC. If possible, all principals should be accommodated in the same hotel. If more than one hotel is used, accommodation of equal quality should be aimed at.
			4.3.4.3	Food and drink Free choice of items on the restaurant menu in the hotel and at the tournament site; free use of hotel room service. On payment of a daily allowance for food, the best possible conditions should be ensured for dining in several good restaurants; the allowance should be paid every 10 days. In the matter of food and drink, all principals are to be treated equally.
			4.3.4.4	Pocket money 30 Swiss Francs per day, in local currency. The account shall be settled with the administrator jointly at regular intervals, through a representative of the principals.
			4.3.4.5	Transport in the tournament locality For the President: a chauffeur-driven car. For the other principals: a pool of cars shall be provided, the use of which shall depend on the location of the hotels, tournament hall and media center, and on the leisure requirements of the principals. Where appropriate, journeys should be made jointly, by arrangement with the administrator.
			4.3.4.6	Leisure facilities General access, without lengthy waiting periods, to a variety of sport and recreation facilities such as swimming, tennis, bowling and riding; also to libraries, museums, concerts, theaters, etc.
			4.3.4.7	Medical care - consultation by the tournament physician, any medical services he prescribes. - The administrator shall meet the cost of treating acute illnesses including the cost of medicines, but not chronic ailments.
			4.3.4.8	Miscellaneous The provision of amenities for persons accompanying the principals shall be settled between the President and the administrator.
	4.4	Provision for the Arbiters
		4.4.1	If not enough Arbiters of the organizing Federation are available to control the separate team matches in the Olympiad, the organizing committee may arrange to supplement their number with Arbiters from neighboring Federations; this may be done through the FIDE General Secretariat; through the Zone President, or; direct contacts.
		4.4.2	By arrangement with these Arbiters (either directly or through their Federations), the administrator shall provide for their travelling expenses, accommodation, meals and pocket money.
	4.5	Provision for teams
		4.5.1	Each individual Federation shall pay the travelling expenses of its team, and also the living expenses of its Chief of Delegation if he is not one of the persons mentioned in 4.5.2.
		4.5.2	The administrator is responsible for supplying accommodation, meals and pocket money to 7 members of each men's team (1 captain, 4 players, 2 reserves) and 5 members of each women's team (1 captain, 3 players, 1 reserve).
		4.5.3	The Administrator shall provide all teams with double rooms, unless the composition of players + captain is an odd number (PB '98).
		4.5.4	The quality of accommodation and meals shall match the standards and importance of the Chess Olympiad.
		4.5.5	The administrator shall, in addition, provide all prizes (team, individual and special).
	4.6	Furnishing of the playing hall(s)
		4.6.1	The administrator is responsible for the furnishing and upkeep of the playing hall and its environs.
		4.6.2	The FIDE flag and the national flags of the participating Federations are to be flown from the playing hall.
		4.6.3	The hall is to be divided into the playing area and a spectator area.
		4.6.4	Acoustics, decoration, ventilation, heating or air-conditioning, and lighting must conform to the highest modern standards. The carpeting should eliminate distracting noise. Tables, chairs, chess boards, pieces and clocks should be chosen according to FIDE specifications.
		4.6.5	The spectator area must be clearly separated from the playing area, but the spectators must have the opportunity to follow the matches directly.
		4.6.6	The players must not, however, be disturbed by spectators. The Chief Arbiter shall decide what constitutes a disturbance. If necessary, those causing it shall be expelled from the hall.
		4.6.7	The administrator shall appoint staff with clearly visible insignia to supervise the hall.
		4.6.8	Relaying of the games on video equipment or demonstration boards (with or without commentaries) may only take place inside of rooms of the playing hall. The equipment, management and staffing of these rooms are responsibility of the administrator.
	4.7	Media facilities
		4.7.1	The administrator shall make every conceivable effort to attract the world's finest reporters and to enable them to convey the best possible presentation of these matches to those who cannot attend as spectator.
		4.7.2	The administrator shall ensure an efficient media service for writers, photographers, national and international news agencies, and the electronic media.
		4.7.3	The administrator shall appoint an information officer to supervise these activities, and shall set up a media center (press center).
		4.7.4	The media center should be: near the playing hall, with easy access to parking; large enough to contain all necessary professional equipment, as well as leisure and refreshment facilities for journalists; under strict supervision to exclude anyone not in possession of a valid pass issued by the administrator; open for a period before the contest (as determined by the administrator), and for one day after the end of the contest; and manned by properly qualified personnel.
		4.7.5	Facilities in the media center Work rooms: Sufficient tables and chairs (if possible, not more than two people to a table); typewriters with various keyboards; paper, telex rolls and other general stationery; copying machines. Information area: Clearly marked notice boards for news and results service; a public address system to inform journalists of calls or messages. Means of communication: Telephones in booths or with soundproof canopies; telex machines with accessories, with self-service or operation by staff; monitors. The refreshment bar or restaurant and lavatories should be in the immediate vicinity.
	4.8	Guidelines for co-operation with journalists
		4.8.1	All persons wishing to operate in the media center must receive official credentials.
		4.8.2	Every journalist (in the wide sense) shall be issued with a pass. This must incorporate a firmly attached photograph, and must be worn prominently on all media premises.
		4.8.3	The passes shall give access to the playing hall, the media center and the restaurant(s) for the players and press.
		4.8.4	Accommodation for journalists The administrator shall assist journalists with hotel reservations. He shall recommend suitable accommodation at favourable prices, or endeavour to make it available. The journalists should preferably be accommodated in a single hotel or in adjacent hotels. Information supplied to journalists should include: addresses, telephone or telex numbers, location of hotels and prices.
		4.8.5	Payments All possible methods of payment for the use of facilities, specially in the media center, should be permitted (credit cards, cash, telephone calls with reversed charges, telex cards).
4.8.6		Press conferences For these, special rooms should be made available. Notice of all press conferences by the President or by players, as well as any special announcements by the administrator, should be conveyed to the journalists in good time. Similarly, all Principals should be informed.
4.8.7		Conduct of interviews General interviews with participants in the Chess Olympiad may be conducted by direct arrangement with those concerned.
4.8.8		Conduct in the playing hall On entering the playing hall, media personnel are treated as spectators. They are subject to the regulations applying to spectators, except in so far as their work as media personnel necessarily requires exceptions. The taking of photographs in the playing hall is restricted to officially recognized reporters with the administrator's express permission. This permission shall only be valid for the first 10 minutes after the start of any round. Film or television cameras and recording instruments may be brought into the press lobby or spectator are, installed and operated, only by special permission of the administrator.
5.	Specific measures at the start of the Olympiad or shortly before it
	5.1	Inspection of the site and preliminary discussion with the Chief Arbiter
		5.1.1	Not later than 4 weeks before the start of the Chess Olympiad, the administrator shall invite the Chief Arbiter to a preliminary discussion.
		5.1.2	The matters discussed should include the plan for instruction, deploying and supervising the Regular Arbiters and their assistants.
		5.1.3	The travelling and accommodation expenses for its discussion shall be paid by the administrator.
	5.2	Notification of the precise schedule to the Federations
		5.2.1	Not later than 6 weeks before the start of the Olympiad, if not before, all participating Federations must possess the following information:
		5.2.2	Date and time of: the opening ceremony, the start of the first round, the end of the final round and the closing ceremony. Note: these particulars are of great importance to the travelling teams. Only precise information from the administrator enables the Chess Federations to make the correct bookings for air, sea or rail travel in good time.
		5.2.3	The administrator's hospitality to teams shall commence with the evening meal and night's accommodation on the day before the opening ceremony.
		5.2.4	Any extra arrangements, and provision for their cost (e.g. in case of missed airway connection, etc.), must be agreed in advance with the administrator.
		5.2.5	The FIDE principals must be present 3 days before the opening ceremony. The services provided to them by the administrator shall begin from that time.
	5.3	Federations shall ensure that team captains and Chiefs of Delegations possess copies of the Olympiad regulations and the FIDE laws. The administrator shall supply the participants in the Olympiad with folders of literature giving points of information and interest.
	5.4	Invitations The administrator shall send written invitations to the FIDE principals 6 weeks before the opening. Copies of these invitations shall go to the FIDE General Secretary.
	5.5	Reception Three days before the opening ceremony, in the evening, the administrator shall give a small reception, where the FIDE principals shall be introduced (by the President and the committee chairman) to the staff and managers of the organizing committee.
	5.6	Inspection of the venue, and concluding discussion
		5.6.1	Two days before the opening ceremony, in the morning, the chief organizers shall meet, at the administrator's invitation, to inspect the tournament venue.
		5.6.2	Immediately after this inspection, a discussion of the results shall take place among the same group of people. Any wishes relating to other matters may also be voiced at this point. A written report on the results of the discussion shall be made by the administrator, and copies of it shall be distributed to all who participated.
		5.6.3	Before the first round of the tournament, the administrator shall ensure that action is taken on the matters arising from discussion. If necessary, a further inspection may be arranged.
	5.7	Passes The administrator shall provide conspicuous passes for players and organizers.
	5.8	Care of players The administrator and his colleagues shall give every assistance in looking after the players, both immediately after their arrival and during the tournament itself. The administrator shall make effort to provide the players with the best possible quality of accommodation, food, drink, transport and playing conditions.
	5.9	Opening Ceremony The Chess Olympiad begins officially with the opening ceremony.
		5.9.1	All players and organizers shall take part in this ceremony.
		5.9.2	Public figures, sponsors and guests should be invited.
		5.9.3	The ceremony should begin and end with music; folklore contributions are desirable.
		5.9.4	The program of events and the list of speakers are to be agreed between the FIDE President and the chairman of the organizing committee.
		5.9.5	The building or hall where the ceremony is held shall be decorated with the FIDE flag and the flag of the host country.
		5.9.6	At the start of the ceremony, the national anthem of the host country and the FIDE anthem shall be played.
6.	Parties to the Chess Olympiad
	6.1	The FIDE President represents the interests of FIDE and is empowered to take the final decision on all questions relating to the Olympiad as a whole.
	6.2	Organizational spheres of competence.
		6.2.1	The chairman of the organizing committee represents the interest of the administrator. He shall appoint the managers of the administrative sub-departments and establish contacts with official bodies, associations and sponsors. He shall be the highest authority in the organizational process, specially in the financial sphere.
		6.2.2	The Tournament Director shall be appointed by the chairman of the organizing committee. He is competent for all matters of organization inside the tournament hall. His tasks are indicated by the organization plan in Annex B, and by the specific tournament regulations. The organization plan is to be treated as a guide. Alterations or additions to it, demanded by local and technical conditions, may if necessary be undertaken with agreement of the organizing committee. For the performance of his tasks, the organizing committee shall assign to the Tournament Director two Deputy Tournament Directors, as well as any other management personnel and assistants who may be considered necessary. The plan for the organizational framework in its final form, as determined by the organizing committee, shall be distributed before the start of the tournament to all FIDE principals, chiefs of delegations and team captains. The Tournament Director shall maintain close contacts with the Chief Arbiter, and shall be responsible for the availability of Regular and Assistant Arbiters for the playing sessions. The layout of the tournament hall shall be decided by agreement with the Chief Arbiter.
		6.2.3	The information officer is wholly an agent of the organizing committee. He shall be appointed by the committee chairman. He shall be supplied with competition results and news by the Tournament Director, and with the daily pairing list by the Pairings Committee. The information officer in his own capacity shall decide how to utilize and publicize this information. He shall be responsible for the management of the media center.
	6.3	Spheres of competence in controlling the play
		6.3.1	The play shall be controlled by: the Chief Arbiter; 6 senior Arbiters; the Regular Arbiters, and the Assistant Arbiters.
		6.3.2	The Chief Arbiter shall be in charge of the controlling team in the Chess Olympiad. He must be an International Arbiter. Any exceptions shall be determined by the General Assembly with two-thirds majority. After consultation with the chairman of the organizing committee, the President shall propose the Chief Arbiter to the General Assembly for approval.
		6.3.3	Six senior Arbiters who must all have the International Arbiter title and must all belong to different Federations, shall assist the Chief Arbiter; they shall be appointed by the FIDE President. Two of the senior Arbiters shall be nominated by the Chief Arbiter as his deputies - one for the men's and one for the women's section of the Olympiad. Of the remaining senior Arbiters, three are to be assigned to the men's section and one to the women's section, to oversee and coordinate the work of the Regular and Assistant Arbiters.
		6.3.4	The Regular and Assistant Arbiters shall be placed by the Tournament Director at the disposal of the Chief Arbiter, according to the latter's requirements. They shall be instructed in their duties and supervised by the chief and senior Arbiters.
		6.3.5	The general responsibility of all Arbiters is the trouble-free conduct of the playing sessions in the Chess Olympiad. The Arbiters shall ensure overall compliance with the Laws of Chess and the supplementary regulations. They are expected to insist that participants observe a high standard of chess etiquette and refrain from disturbing or harassing their opponents (e.g. by repeating draw offers or by crowding around any board). In doubtful cases the Chief Arbiter shall decide what constitutes a disturbance and shall act accordingly. Any personnel required to implement his decision shall be provided by the Tournament Director.
		6.3.6	The Assistant Arbiters shall support the Regular Arbiters, and shall have the following specific tasks: to ensure that the playing equipment is in order and is set up ready for the start of each game; check that the players are correctly seated, facing the right opponents; to make sure that the clocks are set correctly for the start of play; to see that the starting of clocks at the beginning of the session proceeds according to the tournament regulations for the Chess Olympiad. to check that the clocks are going correctly during the game; to ensure that enough Regular or Assistant Arbiters are on hand to watch the clocks at the time control, if several players are in time trouble at once; to ascertain whether the requisite number of moves have been made upon expiry of the allocated time; to record the time on each player's clock, if Article 12.5 of the Laws of Chess is implemented; to give assistance as far as possible, if players express any wishes during the game; to prevent any unnecessary conversation in the course of play. Infringements of the regulations are to be reported to the Regular Arbiters. For every match, the Assistant Arbiters must draw up a results sheet featuring the number of the round, the countries involved, list of the players in board order, and the results of finished games. This results sheet (or where necessary a partial results list) must be handed to the Chief Arbiter immediately after the end of the round. The no-smoking regulation in C.08 applies.
		6.3.7	The Pairings Committee shall consist of a chairman and 2 other members. The chairman may not belong to the organizing federation. The FIDE President shall appoint the Pairings Committee after consulting the chairman of the organizing committee. The work of the Pairings Committee is explained in detail in D.II.07, Annex D. Compilation of pairings with the aid of a computer is permissible. If, however, a discrepancy arises between the computer's pairing and those worked out personally by the Pairings Committee, the final decision shall lie with the committee chairman. Provision of the computer and subsidiary equipment is the task of the Tournament Director. The Pairings Committee shall be responsible to the Chief Arbiter, and shall distribute copies of its work (pairing lists) to the persons specified in D.II.07, Annex C.
		6.3.8	The teams are the men's and women's national teams for Federations affiliated to FIDE.
			6.3.8.1	Every federation affiliated to FIDE is entitled to participate with a national team of players who are qualified by birth, citizenship or naturalization to represent their federation. Detailed eligibility rules are in Reg. C.05.
			6.3.8.2	A player who has resided for at least three years in a country of which he or she is not a citizen after the date on which FIDE shall have received notification of change of Federation and who proves that he or she has applied for citizenship in that country or intends to do so as soon as the legal requirements are fulfilled may become a team member of a Federation after a thorough examination and clearance of the case by the FIDE President.
			6.3.8.3	A player with dual citizenship may only represent one Federation and is eligible by citizenship to participate in the Olympiad on condition that he or she has not represented any other Federation in any FIDE team or individual competition at any time in the preceding year.
			6.3.8.4	The General Assembly has passed a resolution that every team participating in the Chess Olympiad must declare in advance that it is willing to play against teams from any other affiliated Federations. The only possible exception would arise in the case of war. The Assembly accepted a proposal of the President that if any match could not be played owing to a state of war, its result would be decided on the basis of probabilities deduced from the players' FIDE ratings.
			6.3.8.5	Every participating team is in principle under obligation to play in the tournament from start to finish. If a team is, however, compelled to withdraw from the tournament through circumstances beyond its control, the treatment of any unplayed matches for the purpose of scoring shall be settled by the FIDE President, the Tournament Director and the Chief Arbiter. Any further measures shall be taken later by the President in consultation with the Executive Board.
			6.3.8.6	Every team shall be headed by a captain (in matters relating to the play) and a chief of delegation (in administrative matters). The administrator shall incur no expenses for any chief of delegation who is not of the persons listed under 4.5.2. Before the start of the contest, each participating Federation shall send the administrator two miniature flags of its nationality, suitable to be placed on the tables. Every chief of delegation must come equipped with a tape recording of his country's national anthem.
			6.3.8.7	Board order See D.II.07, paragraphs 1.172 - 1.174 and 3.7. Not later than 20 hours before the start of Round 1, the players in each team must be listed in a fixed board order by their captain (men: boards 1-6; women: boards 1-4). The board order cannot be changed during the tournament.
			6.3.8.8	During the whole course of the contest, the players must conduct themselves in accordance with sporting fairness and decency, and must take care neither to distract nor to annoy their opponents. They should endeavor to settle all disputes by mutual accommodation.
			6.3.8.9	Prior agreement between players as to the result of individual games or of a match shall be penalized with the utmost severity. If any such agreement is proved to have taken place, the points apportioned by it shall be annulled and the matter shall be referred to the appeals committee for the fixing of the penalty.
		6.3.9	The team captains
			6.3.9.1	Before the start of a round, the captain of a team must deliver to the Chief Arbiter, a sealed envelope containing a list of the team members who are to take part in the round in question. If this list is not delivered by the appointed time, the team may only use its top 4 players (men) or its top 3 players (women).
			6.3.9.2	In the exercise of his functions the team captain has the right of access to the area reserved for the players, but it is his duty to ensure that the members of his team who are not involved in the current match or have finished their games do not enter or remain in this area.
			6.3.9.3	At the end of the playing session, the captain is responsible both for reporting the result to the controllers and for delivering to them legibly written scoresheets of the finished games.
			6.3.9.4	During the games the captain must refrain from interfering in any way. He is, however, entitled to advise his players on the offering or accepting of draws or resigning of games, provided that he makes no comment on the actual position on the chess board, and confines himself to giving brief information which can in no way be construed as an opinion about the progress of the game. The exchange of information between captain and player must take place in the presence of a controller.
			6.3.9.5	The captain is permitted to appoint a deputy to exercise his functions, but must inform the Chief Arbiter of this in writing.
			6.3.9.6	In matters relating directly to the play, the captain alone is entitled to lodge or present demands made by his players.
	6.4	Special committees
		6.4.1	In the Chief Arbiter's initial discussion with the captains, the latter shall elect an Advisory Panel.
		6.4.2	This panel shall be composed of 5 persons, as follows: the members may be team captains or players; they should be chosen from all 5 rating categories (see 7.83); the 5 members shall nominate their own chairman.
		6.4.3	The task of the advisory panel is to give advice to the Chief Arbiter and Tournament Director whenever they request it. Equally, the appeals committee or the FIDE President may take advice from the panel before arriving at a decision.
		6.4.4	Request for this advice should be addressed to the chairman of the panel.
		6.4.5	Procedure in the case of infringement of the rules, disputes and improper conduct.
			6.4.5.1	In matters relating to the play: the initial decision shall be taken by the Arbiters. an appeal against this decision may be addressed to the Chief Arbiter. the second, provisionally binding decision, shall be taken by the Chief Arbiter.
			6.4.5.2	In administrative matters the initial decision shall be taken by the Deputy Tournament Director. an appeal against this decision may be addressed to the Tournament Director. the second, provisionally binding decision shall be taken by the Tournament Director.
			6.4.5.3	General Stipulation Any ruling by the Chief Arbiter or Tournament Director shall take effect immediately; any proceedings which were suspended shall then be resumed.
			6.4.5.4	Written Protests Against a decision of the Chief Arbiter or Tournament Director are permissible and shall be settled by an appeals committee.
	6.5	The Appeals Committee
		6.5.1	The FIDE President, as the highest executive officer of the Chess Olympiad, shall have the support of an appeals committee, of which he himself shall select the three members.
		6.5.2	The President shall appoint one of members as chairman.
		6.5.3	The following may be the subject of rulings by the appeals committee: protests against decisions of the Chief Arbiter or Tournament Director; complaints of improper conduct by participants in the Chess Olympiad; any other matters which the committee considers important and worth debating.
		6.5.4	Procedure of appeals any protest against a decision by the Chief Arbiter or the Tournament Director must be typed and presented to the appeals committee in triplicate, together with the sum of 100 Swiss Francs or the equivalent in local currency, as a deposit from the signatory. If the appeal is granted, the sum shall be returned immediately. Those entitled to lodge appeals are the team captains and the chiefs of delegation. Where appropriate, the appeal may be accompanied by written statements from the witnesses. The deposit must be handed to the chairman of the appeals committee. If the appeal is refused, the deposit if forfeited to FIDE. Requests to the appeals committee by organizers of the Chess Olympiad may be made without payment.
		6.5.5	Upon submission of the appeal, the committee shall proceed to examine the evidence. For this purpose it may take statements from anyone as required, consult members of the advisory panel, and conduct other forms of investigation. The decision of the appeals committee should be reached as quickly as possible.
		6.5.6	The appeals committee should endeavor to find acceptable solutions in the FIDE spirit. It may resolve disputed issues with or without disciplinary action. In the case of gross unsporting offenses or other misconduct, the following principles apply: The Laws of Chess provide for the penalization of players who break the rules; the FIDE interpretations of the laws state that "Arbiters are requested to impose, in cases where clear contravention of moral principles of the game are demonstrated, penalties as severe as the loss of the game". If a participant fails to comply with the Laws of Chess or the relevant regulations, disobeys the controllers, commits breaches of chess etiquette or conducts himself improperly inside or outside the tournament building, the following steps may be taken. Code of penalties For minor offences or petty infringements admonishment correction demand for an apology to the offended party. if a participant fails to make the apology demanded of him, which must be presented to the offended party in writing, the appeals committee shall instead impose a fine, the amount of which shall have been stipulated in a postscript to the original verdict. For serious offences written warning fine conditional or definitive disqualification. The appeals committee shall decide whether an offence is "serious" or "minor". All fines are to be remitted to FIDE through the administrator, who should be notified by the committee. The Federations shall take responsibility for their players.
	6.6	Right of veto and commutation All rulings by the appeals committee are subject to the President's right to veto. Application for the veto to be exercised must be submitted to the President in writing not later than 24 hours after the appeals committee has communicated its verdict. An application submitted late shall be invalid. The President may confirm the committee's decision, quash it or reduce the penalties imposed.
	6.7	Co-operation The attempt is made in these regulations to draw a clear line of demarcation between the sphere of competence of the Chief Arbiter and that of the Tournament Director. Notwithstanding this attempt, there will repeatedly be borderline cases, an overlapping of functions, and questions of prerogative. In such cases the Tournament Director and the Chief Arbiter should endeavour to resolve the question between themselves. If this proves impossible, the question of competence shall be decided by the appeals committee. In the process of its development, the Chess Olympiad is in constant need of new impulses, it is continually changing. To ascertain the tendencies during the Chess Olympiad and determine the correct modes of cooperation between all parties, one member of the appeals committee shall be appointed as
7.	FIDE Observer
	7.1	The FIDE Observer has the task (though without being bound by a specific schedule or agenda) of appraising the overall working of the Chess Olympiad from the point of view of FIDE. He shall not take any measures, but shall merely record his findings. He shall report directly to the FIDE President whenever any alterations or improvements seem desirable. The President, in consultation with the chairman of the organizing committee, shall then consider whether immediate measures seem appropriate, or whether changes should be proposed through the Executive and Central Committee, for a decision by the next General Assembly. The FIDE observer should be supported by all parties to the Chess Olympiad.
8.	Tournament regulations for the Chess Olympiad
	8.1	Laws of Chess The general FIDE laws shall be applied with their supplements and interpretations as laid down by the FIDE Rules Commission. The following specific regulations for the Chess Olympiad shall also be in force.
	8.2	System of Play The contest shall take the form of a Swiss system tournament with fixed rules for pairings. All teams shall play in a single group, except that men's and women's sections shall be separate. The pairing procedure and its rules are set out in detail under D.II.07, Annex D.
	8.3	Schedule The matches shall be conducted according to a playing schedule which must be distributed to the participants before the start of the tournament. The time span between the opening and closing ceremonies shall not exceed 20 days. Only in exceptional cases may the Chief Arbiter, in consultation with the Tournament Director, make alterations to the times of play. If this is done, all those concerned are to be informed directly (not merely by a notice on a notice-board).
	8.4	Start and finish of the session Five minutes before play commences, the Tournament Director must announce the approaching start of the session by a double acoustic signal. The beginning of the playing session shall be announced by a single acoustic signal. Once the signal for the start of the round has been given, the clock of the player with the white pieces shall be started by his opponent. If the player of the black pieces is not present at the appointed time, his clock shall be started by the player with white, but without any move being made by the latter. Then, when the player of the black pieces arrives, he shall start his opponent's clock and the latter shall make his first move. If both players are absent, white's clock shall be started by the Assistant Arbiter. Any player arriving at the chessboard more than one hour late shall forfeit the game. If both players arrive more than one hour late, the game shall be declared lost for both of them.
	8.5	Time control The time limit is 40 moves in 100 minutes, then 20 moves in 50 minutes and finally 10 minutes for all remaining moves. From move 1 30 seconds will be added after each move. The games shall be played using the DGT clocks.
	8.6	Scoring Each team's place in the order of classification shall be decided by the number of game points it has scored. Ties shall be resolved by the procedures in D.II.07, Annex D, paragraph G.
	8.7	Prizes
		8.7.1	Trophies The winning team in the men's section of the Chess Olympiad shall receive the "International Hamilton-Russell Cup". The winning team in the women's section of the Chess Olympiad shall receive the "International Vera Menchik Cup". The winning teams for the best composite scores in the men's and women's Olympiads shall receive the "Nona Gaprindashvili International Trophy". The Federation of the respective winning teams shall have custody of the cups, which are property of FIDE, until the following Olympiad. Both trophies are to be competed for at each successive Olympiad; they cannot be acquired in perpetuity. The dates of the tournament and the name of the winning Federation are to be engraved on the base of the Cup. Should the original trophy be lost, a replacement is to be made on the same pattern. The winning Federations of the tournaments, and the names of their players, shall be recorded in the FIDE Golden Book, of which the President has custody.
		8.7.2	Chess Medals Every member of the winning team (players, reserves and captain) shall receive a gold medal. Similarly, the team finishing second shall receive silver medals and the team in third place, bronze.
		8.7.3	Special prizes for teams in particular rating categories Before the start of the tournament, the Pairings Committee shall have divided the teams into 5 rating categories, on the basis of their position in the initial overall ranking list (see Annex D, paragraph 4-7); as far as possible, the categories should contain equal numbers of teams. Every team that finished with the highest score for its category, provided that it has not won medals, shall receive a prize of money or goods.
		8.7.4	Individual Chess Medals Players assigned to the same board number in their respective team lists shall be in competition for individual board prizes namely: gold, silver and bronze medals. For the purposes of this award, the player's percentage score from their games shall be compared. If the percentage score is equal, the tie shall be broken by (a) the number of games, and if this is also equal by (b) the average rating of the opponents. Only the following shall be eligible for board prizes: in men's teams: players number 1-4 who take part in at least 60% of the rounds; players numbered 5-6 who take part in at least 50%; in women's teams: players numbered 1-3 who take part in at least 60% of the rounds; players numbered 4 who take part in at least 50%.
		8.7.5	Additional prizes offered by the administrator or by sponsors should be made known to the players in good time, together with the conditions of their award. The FIDE President shall decide how and when such prizes are to be presented.
		8.7.6	Certificates After the end of the Chess Olympiad, the Federation of the teams finishing first, second and the third shall be sent certificates by the President, recording the success of their teams and the medals they have won.
	8.8	Qualification for the World Team Championship The three highest-placed teams in the Chess Olympiad for 1996, 2000, 2004 and so on (in four-year intervals) are entitled to participate in the World Chess Team Championship in the following year (2001, 2005 etc.) (GA '95) Example: (1994-1997 cycle) 1995 Continental championships 4 winning teams 1996 Olympiad 3 highest placed 1997 World Team Championship 7 teams plus organizing federation 1 team (possible two other invited teams) 2 teams total 8 to 10 teams Qualification for the World Team Championship by three teams from the Chess Olympiad is, then, only valid within the respective cycle, and applies exclusively to the next World Team Championship after the Olympiad (compare the synopsis in D.II.01). This means that in alternate Olympiads (1994, 1998 and so on in four years intervals) there shall be no qualification for the World Team Championship.
9.	Conclusion of the Chess Olympiad
	9.1	Final placing With the aid of the Chief Arbiter, the Tournament Director shall draw up lists of the final placing for the men's and women's sections, showing the teams in their precise order and giving their final scores. These lists are to be signed by both organizers and enclosed with the Chief Arbiter's concluding report to the FIDE President.
	9.2	Closing ceremony The closing ceremony with honours to the winning teams shall be held in the evening on the day of the final round. It should follow the same guidelines as the opening ceremony (where applicable); in addition, the national anthem(s) of the men's and women's winning teams shall be played.
	9.3	Payment of stipends After the end of the contest, the administrator shall pay the sums specified in these regulations (as net amounts, after meeting any tax liability). At the option of the participants, he shall pay them in person or arrange for transfer of the sums to their home countries or any other place they choose. For this purpose, the specific principles in D.II.01, paragraph 1.3, shall apply.
	9.4	Reports As soon as possible the Chief Arbiter and the chairman of the appeals committee shall deliver to the FIDE President an official written report on the course of the contest, with supporting documents if appropriate. Within 4 weeks after the closing ceremony, the chairman of the organizing committee shall present the President with a general report of the proceedings. A copy shall be supplied to the organizing Federation. Accounts Immediately after the end of the contest, the FIDE Treasurer shall present the administrator with the account of expenses incurred by FIDE. Not later than 3 months after the closing ceremony, the administrator shall supply an official concluding balance sheet of the operation, which shall give a synopsis of the overall income and expenditure and the administrator's net profit.
	9.5	Activities in Connection with Olympiads and Congresses: The 1980 General Assembly recommended to the organizers that in connection with Olympiads and Congresses the following events be organized beginning in 1982: exhibitions of ancient chess pieces and rare chess books; sale of chess books of different publishing houses; seminars on the history of chess; festivals of chess films; exhibitions of chess computers; chess-philatelic exhibitions; exhibitions of art with chess motifs.