WBCA Blitz Rules

Approved by the advisory committee of Nick Defirmian, Max Dlugy, Yasser Seirawan, Ron Henley, Danny Kopec, Joel Benjamin and Walter Browne.

Lightly edited by members of your NIH Chess Club.

Each player must make all his moves in the time specified for the game. Time limits for WBCA events may be from three to seven minutes, with the same amount of time allotted to each player. Time controls outside the three to seven minute range will not be WBCA rated.

All the clocks must have a special device, usually called a "flag", marking the end of the time control period. Either player may object to using a computer clock, provided they produce a clock with a standard face. In the event that both players prefer their own standard face clock, the player with Black will have the choice each game.

Before play begins, both players should inspect the position of the pieces and the setting of the clock, since once each side has made a move all claims are null and void.

Each player must push the clock with the same hand he uses to move his pieces. Exception: only during castling may a player use both hands. Also when capturing, only one hand may be used. The first infraction will get a warning, the second a one minute penalty and the third will result in the loss of the game.

The arbiter should state at the start of the event the direction the clocks are to face, and the player with the Black pieces then decides which side he will play with that opponent.

Except for pushing the clock, neither player should touch the clock except:

To straighten it.
If either player knocks over the clock his opponent gets 1 minute added to his clock.
If the opponent’s clock does not tick the player may push his opponent’s button down and then push his own button down again; however, if this procedure is unsatisfactory, the players should call for a director.
The player must always be allowed to push the clock after his move is made. Neither player should keep his hand on or over the clock.

Defining a win.

A game is won by the player:

Who has mated his opponent’s king.
Whose opponent resigns.
Whose opponent’s flag falls first, at any time before the game is otherwise ended, provided he points it out and neutralizes the clock while his own flag is still up and that he has mating material.
Who after an illegal move by his opponent, takes the opponent’s king or stops the clock.
An illegal move doesn’t negate a player’s right to claim a win on time, provided he does so prior to his opponent’s claim of illegal move. If the claims are simultaneous, the player who made the illegal move loses.

Defining a draw.

A game is a draw:

If one of the kings is stalemated even if a fallen flag is claimed simultaneously.
By agreement between the players during the game only.
If the flag of one player falls after the flag of the other player has already fallen and a win has not been claimed unless either side mates before noticing both flags down.
To claim a draw by perpetual check, a four-time repetition is necessary with the player counting 2,3,4, out loud so as to make it quite clear and easier for the arbiters to assist. The claimant should stop the clock after the 4^th repetition.
If both players each have just one identical piece, either may claim a draw by stopping the clock, provided that his opponent cannot show a forced win within 2 minutes.
If one player has insufficient mating material when his opponent’s flag falls or makes an illegal move.
In K+B vs. K+B of opposite colors, with only 1 pawn on the board, or in 2 vs. 1 in a clearly blockaded position, a draw can be claimed by stopping the clocks and summoning an arbiter if necessary, provided there is no forced win within 2 minutes.
K+RP vs. K can be claimed as a draw once the defender is on the rook file in front of the pawn. K+P vs. K can be claimed as a draw once the defender is immediately on the square directly in front of the pawn as long as it’s not on the 7th rank.
K+R+RP vs. K+R is a draw if the pawn is blockaded by the king and there is no immediate win.

Miscellaneous

If a player accidentally displaces one or more pieces, he shall replace them on his own time. If it is necessary, his opponent may start the opponent’s clock without making a move in order to make sure that the culprit uses his own time while replacing the pieces. If a player touches one piece, then moves another; his opponent can restart the player’s clock and make him move the piece he touched. Finally, it is bad sportsmanship to knock over any pieces and punch the clock before replacing them. For a first offense the player will get a warning (unless he causes his opponent’s flag to fall, in which case the offended shall get 1 extra minute on his clock.); for a second offense a 1 minute add-on to his opponent’s clock will be imposed; for a third he shall forfeit the game. Thereafter the arbiter may use any other penalties or expel a player from the event for repeated offenses.
In case of a dispute either player may stop the clock while the arbiter is being summoned. In any unclear situation the arbiter will consider the testimony of both players and any reliable witnesses before rendering a decision, which in all cases is final.
The arbiter shall not pick up the clock except in the case of a dispute when both players allow him to do so.
Spectators and players are not to speak or otherwise interfere in another game. If a spectator interferes in any way, such as calling attention to a flag fall or an illegal move, the arbiter may cancel the game and rule that a new game be played instead, and he may expel the offending party from the playing room. The arbiter should also be silent about illegal moves or flag falls (unless there are enough arbiters and they have agreed with players to make those calls before the event started) as this is entirely the responsibility of the players.
When a clearly drawn position is reached either player may stop the clock and appeal to the arbiter for a draw.

If the arbiter allows a draw as in rule #8, the game is over.
If the appeal is rejected then a penalty is imposed on the player who stopped the clock, by adding one minute to his opponent’s time.

A player who has played an illegal move must retract it and make a legal move on his own time. If no legal move exists with that piece then he may make any legal move. Illegal moves unnoticed by both players cannot be corrected afterwards, nor can they become the basis for making a claim, although a piece, once touched, must be moved. To claim a win due to an illegal move, the illegal move has to be completed by pushing the clock, and the claimant has to have mating material.
A legal move is completed when the hand leaves the piece.
Moving the king next to the other king is illegal, however, neither player should play king takes king. Stop the clock and claim a win because of an illegal move.
If the player promotes a pawn and leaves the pawn on the board, the opponent has the option of stopping the clocks while a replacement piece is found.
An arbiter may determine that a clock is defective and may change clocks at his discretion.
Before the tournament the organizers should post at least two copies of the complete Blitz rules in the tournament area unless there are less than 25 players, in which case one list will suffice. Posting one hour before play is advisable.
If the king and queen are set up incorrectly reversing their positions, the player will only be able to castle short on the queenside or long on the kingside. Once each side has made a move, the incorrect setup stays unless both parties agree to restart.
Avoid excessive banging of pieces or clocks.
In all World Blitz Chess Association tournaments, the decision of the arbiter is final. However, for future consideration the WBCA will listen to any grievances or wrongdoings on the part of any arbiter or players.

MAIN RULES

Touch move
To have enough mating material to claim a win on time
Illegal move loses