After the original successful event in 2006 the WBX team tournament is back! This year’s event will take place on Saturday, Sunday of December 13, 14, 2008. The event will be a team tournament where three players will be allowed per team plus one possible substitute.  The average rating of the team playing in every round cannot exceed 1900! The format of the event will depend on the amount of registered teams but it will probably be a Swiss.  In 2006 we had 12 teams and if we get a similar attendance it will be a Swiss as well!

Before you register a team please make sure that you read the full regulations!

Who can play?  Anyone, who is a CFC member, or willing to pay $10 extra.  CFC memberships are available on-site.

How do I join a team? It’s easy, ask a few people around the club, or just chess players that you know, make sure that your team is within the tournament’s regulations, decide on who will be the captain and let Vlad know!

How does the maximum rating regulation work?  Each team can field a team in which the average of the three playing members does not exceed 1900.  For example a team can have three players rated 2000, 1900, 1800 (1900 average), or 2300, 2000, 1400 (1900 average), or even 1400, 1200, 1000 (way below 1900 average).  Another possibility is to have a team with substitutes so that some players will get to take a round off (there is no such thing as a team bye).  In that case it must be ensured that the three players playing in each round never exceed the 1900 threshold.  For example if a team consists of a 2300, 2200, 2100 and a 1200, the 1200 will have to play in all the games while the other three players can alternate.

Which rating period will be used?  The rating at the time of the official registration will be used.  So if a team registers in October but the average rating of its members rises by December they will not be ineligible.

Will the CFC ratings be used?  Yes, unless the individual doesn’t have a CFC rating.  In that case the determination of the rating will be up to the organizer.

Who will I get to play?  Teams will have pre-determined board orders.  Than in each match the first board will play the first board of the other team.  Second, against the second board of the other team, and third against the third.  The board order will not change during the event.  Board order will generally be based on ratings, however, the teams can change two players that are within 100 points of each other as long as its done before the event.  For example board 1 can be 1750 while board 2 would be 1825, however, if board 1 is 1750 board 2 can’t be 1875.

How many rounds will there be and what is their schedule?  There will be a total of 5 rounds.  The first round will start at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 13th.  The second and third rounds will start no earlier than 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm on the same day.  The players are expected to be ready to start on those times and if they are not there by 3:00 and 7:00 respectively they will be forfeited.

Rounds 4, 5 will be on Sunday December 14.  Round 4 will start at 10:00 am and round 5 at 2:00 pm or ASAP.

What is the time control?  The time control will be game 90 plus 30 seconds increment.

What is the entry fee?  The entry fee per team will be $75 and the team captain is expected to collect it from team members.  An additional $10 will be charged per non-CFC member of a team.

Will there be discounts?  Yes!  A team will have a $5 discount per junior (18 and younger) player in its roster.  Teams with FIDE titled players (GM, IM, FM) will receive a $25 discount (Such player must play in at least 3 games to be eligible for the discount).

What are the prizes?  100% of entries will be returned as prizes.  Class prizes will be available.

What are the duties of the team captain?  The team captain will be responsible for all communications with the tournament organizer.  That will include: determining who will be on a team in each round, making any kind of appeals, and paying the entry fee.

The team captain can also advise team members regarding draw offers.  If a member of a team is offered a draw a team captain can be consulted and his answer can only be yes, no, or no response (The answer has to be made without looking at the position as the decision will be based solely on the needs of the team).  The team captain will also be responsible for determining the team name.

What if I can’t find a team?  It is advisable for individuals to try and organize their own teams (It’s also a lot more fun that way), however if you absolutely can’t find players to play with you may contact the organizer.

Who is the defending champion?  In 2006 two teams tied for first.  They were: “The Raging Kramniks” (Roy Yearwood, Micah Hughey, Richard and Harris Wang) and the “Benko Brothers” (Robert Sasata, Jamin Gluckie and Jeff Willoughby)

How to contact the organizer?  Please email me at vrekhson @ yahoo dot ca with any requests.

Vlad Rekhson,

2008 WBX Team Tournament Organizer