HCC Quads - January 2023

For the first time we are going to give 'quads' a try. These are all-play-all tournaments organised in sections of four players each (two games with each of the other participants for a total of six games). The sections will be determined by rating in order to make each as competitive and as enjoyable as possible for everyone. The round-robin format also means that pairings are known in advance. In addition to being simpler for the tournament director, it is also fun for players who can then prepare for their opponents. We will use the standard FIDE tournament tables and player numbers will be drawn at random. Note that if the number of registrations is not a multiple of four one section may have three, five or even six players.

Play begins at 7pm EST (0h UTC) on Thursday January 12th. Registration closes 24 hours before the scheduled start of the tournament. This allows us to assign players to the appropriate sections and to publish the pairings. The pairings and schedule will be posted here on the morning of Thursday, January 12th. To register please message @datasmith.

Games are normally played on Thursday evenings beginning at 7pm Eastern time. This allows everyone to enjoy watching the other games and makes scheduling simpler for those of us with complicated calendars. Games should use a time control of 60+30 and be rated.

A game not played on Thursday may be scheduled for another time agreed upon by the players. The person wanting to make the change should propose three possible alternative days and ranges of start times, ranked in order of preference, to their opponent. Here is an example of a proposal you might send your opponent :

I offer the following dates and range of starting times:
Friday January 13, 17:00 to 20:00 EST (UTC: 22:00 to 01:00 Jan 14)
Saturday January 14, 11:00 to 13:00 EST (16:00 to 18:00 UTC)
Sunday January 15, 13:00 to 16:00 EST (18:00 to 21:00 UTC)

Note that it is important to indicate the time zone and/or to give times in UTC as we don't all live in the same part of the world. The proposed dates should ideally be within a week before or after the scheduled date of the round. The opponent should then accept one of the proposed dates or offer three alternate dates of their own. With good faith on both sides, it should be possible to find a mutually acceptable time to play. Once a new time is agreed, the player of the white pieces should notify the tournament director (@datasmith). Note that for this to work, players will need to consult their lichess inbox daily for messages (or alternatively confirm their opponent's Thursday availability in advance) and a player wanting to make a change will need to give the opponent as much lead time as possible. Thanks to Paul (@E3Engineer) for putting me on the right track for the management of this process.

Once a game is completed, it is the responsibility of the winner (or White in the case of a draw) to report the result to the tournament director by messaging @datasmith. Results will be posted here as they are reported.

Once play is underway on Thursdays I will make an effort to post links to the games in the HCC Club Room. If I am otherwise occupied, in vainly trying to refute some obscure gambit for example, please post a link to your game in the Club Room chat so that others can watch.