Hi!
I was just wondering, since I’ve never been to a tournament, what are the diffrences between the different tournaments.
For instance, how does the Swiss work?
Thanks a lot.
The swiss system, in it’s most basic form, allows a large number of players to compete and finish a tournament in a minimal amount of time. For example, 16 players can compete in a one day 4 round event with one player, in most cases, ending up a clear undefeated winner. Of course, many more players can participate in that same event, although the ability to guarantee one perfect score after 4 rounds with more than 16 players is reduced. Many one day tournaments get attendances above 50 players. Usually, tournaments of 5 rounds or more are held over a period of 2+ days.
The swiss-system pairs players in score groups. In the first round, all players have 0, so are paired together. In the 2nd round, all players who won the 1st round are paired together and those who lost are paired together. In other rounds, players with like scores are paired together.
All of the above assume ideal conditions, which aren’t always present. Sometimes a player may have to play someone from a different scoregroup. This is one of several exceptions to the basic rules.
USCF has an article at uschess.org/ratings/info/intro.pdf This should answer at least some of your questions.
OK
Thanks so much for the reference! I really appreciate it. 