FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships 2026 , Players Briefing

5 November 2026

# Players’ Briefing

FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships 2026

Klang, Selangor, Malaysia · 5–12 November 2026

Open: U2300, U2000, U1700 · Women: W2300, W2000, W1700

## 1. Schedule

All times are local to Malaysia (UTC+8).

| --- | --- | --- | --- |

## 2. Time control

Standard chess is played over nine rounds. Each player has 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move.

## 3. Laws of Chess

The amendments to the FIDE Laws of Chess that took effect on 1 January 2026 apply to this event.

## 4. Conditions for direct titles

Players eligible for a direct title must meet the minimum rating requirement before the title can be awarded. If a player is below the rating floor, the award is deferred until the player reaches the required rating. The [direct title table](#annex-direct-title-table) is also available on request and posted in the playing hall.

## 5. Appeal procedure

Submit any appeal against an arbiter’s decision in writing within 30 minutes of the end of the game, with a deposit of EUR 200 or the equivalent in local currency. Use the [appeal submission form](#appeal-submission-form). There is no appeal procedure for Rapid or Blitz.

The Appeals Committee will meet as soon as possible. Pairings for the next round will be held until the committee issues its decision. If the appeal succeeds, the result will be amended and the deposit returned. If the appeal is rejected, the committee may forfeit the deposit. The committee’s decision is final, binding and effective immediately.

| Role | Name | Federation |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Chair | Maung Maung Lwin | MYA |

| Member | Ozgur Solakoglu | TUR |

| Member | Zaidan Zulkipli | MAS |

## 6. Default time

The default time is 15 minutes after the start of each round, according to the official clock. Players arriving after that time lose the game unless the Chief Arbiter decides otherwise.

Players who fail to appear for their game will be excluded from the remaining rounds unless they notify the Chief Arbiter in writing before the next round’s pairings are released.

## 7. Dress code

The FIDE dress code applies. Sandals, slippers, sleeveless T-shirts, shorts and other inappropriate clothing are prohibited in the playing area. Hoodies, caps, hats and other head coverings are prohibited except where permitted by the FIDE Laws of Chess.

## 8. Access to the playing hall

- Parents and accompanying persons have 10 minutes for photography before Round 1 starts. They must then leave the playing area, which is reserved for players and officials. From Round 2 onwards, parents and accompanying persons may not enter the playing hall.

- The organisers will provide professional photographers to photograph every player in the hall and will publish links to the photos.

- The washrooms beside the playing area are reserved for players and officials.

- Keep food off the playing table. Place drinks and water bottles on the floor beneath the table.

## 9. Airport transfers

The organisers will provide transfers for registered participants between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the official hotel in both directions.

Send departure flight details to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) by 10 November 2026. The organisers will publish the transfer schedule and other important details three days before arrival.

## 10. DGT electronic boards and official scoresheets

The tournament will use 29 DGT electronic boards to record games and broadcast the top games live. Links to the Lichess broadcasts will be published. See [Recording of moves](#13-recording-of-moves) for scoresheet instructions.

## 11. FIDE Fair Play policies

- The organisers may conduct random checks in accordance with FIDE Fair Play policies.

- Mobile devices and wristwatches are prohibited in the playing area. Players may leave these items at the designated collection counter and reclaim them after their game. Players will receive a tag with the number of the box used to store their items.

- Bags and backpacks may not be kept beside players during a round.

## 12. Illegal moves and infringements

- First illegal move: Two minutes are added to the opponent’s clock and 30 seconds are deducted from the offending player’s clock.

- Second illegal move by the same player: The offending player loses the game.

- Other infringements: The first warning is verbal, the second is written and the third results in loss of the game.

## 13. Recording of moves

All players must use the official scoresheets to record their games unless they use a FIDE-approved Clono tablet.

## 14. Tie-breaks

Tie-breaks are applied in the following order.

1. Buchholz Cut 1 (2026 amendment)

2. Direct Encounter (provided all tied players played each other)

3. Buchholz

4. Greater number of wins, with byes and forfeits counted

5. Sonneborn-Berger system

## 15. Drawing of colours

The highest-ranked player, if present, will draw the colours at the technical meeting. If the highest-ranked player is absent, the head of the largest non-Malaysian delegation will draw the colours.

## 16. Other matters

Participants may raise additional matters at the technical meeting.

## Annex: Direct title table

| Category | FM / WFM | CM / WCM |

| --- | --- | --- |

| U2300 / W2300 | Gold | Silver and bronze |

| U2000 / W2000 | Gold | Silver and bronze |

| U1700 / W1700 | Not applicable | Gold |

## Appeal submission form

Submit the completed form in writing within 30 minutes of the end of the game, with a deposit of EUR 200 or the equivalent in local currency. See the [appeal procedure](#5-appeal-procedure) for details.

| Field | Details |

| --- | --- |

| Event | Standard |

| Section | Open / Women |

| Category | 2300 / 2000 / 1700 |

| Date | ____________________ |

| Round number | ____________________ |

| Table number | ____________________ |

Reason for appeal

> ________________________________________________________________

Continue on a separate sheet if needed.

IA KK Chan

Chief Arbiter

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Players briefing final.pdf (207 KB)

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FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships 2026 , Players Briefing

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