Official Rules & Regulations agreed by both players

Rules & regulations for the World Chess Championship Match 2006
Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria) – Vladimir Kramnik (Russia)

1. Match Regulations

1. 1 Format & System
Match System: The World Chess Championship match will consist of 12 games and possible tie-breaks.

2. 1 Schedule of the World Chess Chamopionship Match
The World Chess Championship match will be played according to the following schedule:

Schedule listed –

3.1 Mr. Topalov and Mr. Kramnik shall be entitled to inspect the accommodation arranged for them at the Venue three (3) days before the first game of the WCC match and shall be entitled to make reasonable requests regarding such accommodation which the organiser shall use all reasonable endeavours to accommodate.

3.2 Mr. Topalov – together with Mr. Kramnik – shall inspect the playing hall in the presence of all three members of the Committee and representative of the Organiser two (2) days before the first game of the WCC at 3.00 p.m. The local organisation as well as the Committee shall use all reasonable endeavours to satisfy the reasonable requests of the players in relation to the playing hall. In the event of a dispute between the Players as to the condition and suitability of the playing hall the Committee’s majority shall decide about such dispute. Their decision shall be final and binding.

3.3 No postponement of any game shall be allowed except with permission of the FIDE President.

3. 4 Drawing of colours

3. 4. 1 The draw for colours will be conducted during the opening ceremony.

3. 4. 2 For tie-break games, there shall be a separate drawing of lots conducted by the Chief Arbiter of the match.

3. 5 Time control.

3. 5. 1 The time control for each game shall be: 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 moves and then 15 minutes for the rest of the game plus an additional 30 seconds per move starting from move 61.

3. 5. 2 However, if both players agree, then the time control used in the World Cup (90 minutes for the first 40 moves followed by 15 minutes for the rest of the game with an addition of 30 seconds per move from move 1) can be applied.

3. 5. 3 The games shall be played using the electronic clocks and boards approved by FIDE.

3. 6 Conditions of victory

3. 6. 1 The match shall be played over twelve (12) games and the winner of the match shall be the first player to score 6.5 points or more. A tie shall be broken according to article 3.7 below. If the winner scores 6.5 points in less then 12 games then the organizers may re-schedule the Closing Ceremony for an earlier date.

3. 7 Tie-breaks

3. 7. 1 If the scores are level after the regular twelve (12) games, after a new drawing of colours, four (4) tie-break games shall be played. The games shall be played using the electronic clock starting with 25 minutes on the clock for each player with an addition of 10 seconds after each move.

3. 7. 2 If the scores are level after the games in paragraph 3. 7. 1, then, after a new drawing of colours, two (2) five-minute games shall be played with the addition of 10 seconds after each move.

3. 7. 3 If the score is still level, the players shall play a single decisive sudden death game. The player, who wins the drawing of lots, may choose the colour. White shall receive 6 minutes, black shall receive 5 minutes, without any addition. In case of a draw the player with the black pieces is declared as winner.

3. 7. 4 Play shall be governed by the FIDE Laws of Chess for Rapid and Blitz Games (Appendices B and C of the Laws of Chess), except where they are overridden by the specific provisions of these regulations:

a. Players need not record their moves. An Arbiter will record the moves (Article B3).
b. Once a player has completed ten (10) moves, no claim can be made regarding incorrect piece placement, orientation of chessboard or clock setting. In case of reverse King and Queen placement, castling with the King is not allowed (Article B4).
c. The player whose turn it is to move, may consult the Arbiter’s score sheet, and, if his next move will produce a threefold repetition of position (according to Article 9.2a of the Laws of Chess), or the 50 moves rule (according to Article 9.3a of the Laws of Chess), he himself must write the intended move on the score sheet and claim the draw, if he wants. If the claim is found to be correct, the game is immediately ended as a draw. If the claim is found to be incorrect, the Arbiter shall add three (3) minutes to the opponent’s remaining time and additionally shall deduct half of the claimant’s remaining time up to a maximum of three (3) minutes.
d. The Arbiter shall call the flag fall (Article B6).
e. Article C3 does not apply.
f. In the case of an illegal move the Arbiter shall interfere with the game only after a claim by the opponent and shall reinstate the position immediately before the irregularity. For the first illegal move made by a player the arbiter shall give two (2) extra minutes to the opponent. For the second illegal move by the same player the arbiter shall declare the game lost by this player.3. 7. 5 Between the tie-break games as well as before the start of the sudden death game there shall be a pause of at least 10 minutes, unless the Chief Arbiter decides otherwise.

3. 8 Money Prizes for the World Chess Championship Match

3. 8. 1 The prize fund of the WCC match 2006 is minimum 1,000,000 USD (free of taxes) to be shared equally between Mr Topalov and Mr Kramnik independent from the final result.

3. 8. 2 If a player withdraws after the start of a match without having a satisfactory reason for doing so, he shall receive no prize money.

3. 9 Playing Conditions.

3. 9. 1 Only the players, principals and steward (-es)s shall be allowed in the actual playing area except with the permission of the Chief Arbiter.

3. 9. 2 During the playing session the following additional regulations shall be in force:

a) The players are not permitted to bring into the playing area technical and other equipment extraneous to play, which may in any way disturb or upset the opponent. The Chief Arbiter shall decide what constitutes extraneous equipment liable to offend the opponent.
b) A player may talk only to an arbiter or communicate with a steward, or with his opponent as permitted by the Laws of Chess.
c) During the playing session, players are not allowed to leave the playing area without the permission of the Chief Arbiter.

3. 10 Score sheets.

3. 10. 1 The Organisers shall provide score sheets according to the specifications provided by FIDE.

a) At the end of each game the players’ original score sheets shall be given to the Arbiter, who shall hand them to FIDE .
b) Refusal of either player to sign the score sheets shall be penalised according to Article 13.4 of the Laws of Chess. After the players have signed the score sheets, the Arbiter shall countersign to confirm the results.
c) In tie-break games, the players and the Arbiter shall sign a result sheet.

3. 11 Players’ Meeting.

3. 11. 1 The players are required to attend the Players’ Meeting on the day of the Opening Ceremony at a time to be decided by the Chief Arbiter and the Organisers. If necessary, the Chief Arbiter may call other Players’ Meetings. Provided the Chief Arbiter and/or the Organisers are requesting more than the first Players’ Meeting (day of Opening Ceremony) the players shall have the right to be represented through their managers.

3. 11. 2 If a player fails to appear at the Players’ Meeting, the Opening or Closing Ceremony or any approved function of the Championship such as official receptions and press conferences, or conducts himself in a manner contrary to the spirit of sportsmanship or the FIDE Code of Ethics, then he shall suffer the following penalty: 5% of his prize money shall be forfeited to the Organisers and a further 5% to FIDE for each breach. In cases of serious misconduct the player may be disqualified from the match and the World Chess Championship cycle.

3. 12 Interviews, functions and mode of dressing.3. 12. 1 The players are expected to co-operate reasonably with the media. Mutual interviews with them can be arranged through the Press Officer and the managers of the players but it is understood that exclusive interviews shall be arranged in principle only after the WCC match has been concluded.

3. 12. 2 Both players are required to make themselves available for post game press conferences, of not more than 20 minutes duration, immediately after each game.

3. 12. 3 The players are required to be present at all official functions approved by the FIDE President or his Deputy during the match including official receptions, the opening ceremony and the closing ceremony.

3. 12. 4 Players are requested to note the requirements of FIDE Regulations C.01 (Article 8.1) in respect of their appearance at all times during the matches.

3. 13 Payment of Prize Money

3. 13. 1 The prize fund shall be paid by direct banker’s order drawn in United States Dollars on UBS, Lausanne or any other official FIDE bank.

3. 13. 2 Upon completion of the match, FIDE shall pay these sums where requested by the players within 7 days.

3. 14 Local Tax

3. 14. 1 Although FIDE will endeavour to sign an agreement with the organiser stating that the prize funds are net and free of all tax, FIDE will not be responsible for any national or local tax deducted from the prize money. FIDE will give all necessary assistance to the players if the organiser acts to the contrary.

3. 15 Principals

3. 15. 1 The Principals are:

a) President and Deputy President, one of them being the Chairman of the Appeals Committee;
b) Treasurer, Elected Vice President, General Secretary
c) Members of the Appeals Committee;
d) Arbiters;
e) Press Officer;
f) Chairman of FIDE Medical Commission;
g) WCCC members;

3. 16. Arbiters

3. 16. 1 Two arbiters of the World Chess Championship match will be nominated by FIDE after consultation with the players. No arbiter may belong to the same federation as either of the players. One of them will be nominated by the WCC Committee as the chief arbiter of the match.
3. 16. 2 During play either the Chief Arbiter or his Deputy must be present in the playing area.

3. 16. 3 Immediately after the end of the match, the Chief Arbiter shall write a report and send it without delay to the FIDE Secretariat.

3. 16. 4 The report shall be written in the English language.

3. 16. 5 The report shall contain the result of each individual game as well as the final result of the match. In addition, the report shall contain a general description of the course of the event. If there were any difficulties, conflicts or incidents, they shall be described together with the measures taken to deal with them.

3. 16. 6 The report shall be supplemented by adding two copies of the bulletins and the score sheets of the games.

3. 16. 7 The Chief Arbiter may, in consultation with the WCCC, and with the approval of the FIDE President, issue additional written regulations to inform the exact playing hours and take care of other details not covered by these regulations.

3. 17 Appeals Committee.

3. 17. 1 The President or his Deputy shall be Chairman of the Appeals Committee. There shall be two (2) other members all from different Federations. No member of the Appeals Committee can be from the federation of either player.

All protests must be submitted in writing to the Appeals Committee not more than two (2) hours after the relevant playing session, or the particular infringement complained against.
The Committee may decide on the following matters:

a) an appeal against a decision by an arbiter,
b) a protest against a player’s behaviour,
c) a complaint alleging false interpretation of the regulations,
d) a request for the interpretation of specific regulations,e) a protest or complaint against any participant, or
f) all other matters which the Committee considers important.

If possible, the Committee shall reach a decision not more than two (2) hours after the submission of a protest. The appeals process shall include written representations and a written decision. The Committee shall endeavour to find binding solutions that are within the true spirit of the FIDE motto, Gens Una Sumus. Each protest must be accompanied by a deposit fee of USD 5,000 (five thousand US Dollars) or the equivalent in local currency.

If the protest is accepted as logical and reasonable, the fee shall be returned even if the protest will be rejected. The fees not to be returned due to unreasonable protests shall be forfeited to FIDE.

The written decision of the Appeals Committee arising from any dispute in respect of these regulations shall be final.

3. 18 Other arrangements

3. 18. 1 The WCCC shall ensure the playing hall and its environs meet at least the requirements of the FIDE Regulations for the Organisation of Top Level Tournaments (FIDE Handbook C.01).
3. 18. 2 The playing venue shall be decorated with the FIDE flag, IOC flag, the flags of the host nation and the participating countries.

3. 18. 3 After the World Chess Championship Committee agrees with the Organisers on the arrangements in respect of the tournament hall, facilities, accommodation and meals, transportation, telecommunication, ceremonies, etc., no objections from the participants shall be acceptable as long as the conditions are in accordance with the rights of the players granted in their agreements.

3. 18. 4 Organisers shall provide, free of charge, coffee, tea and soft drinks for the players and principals. It is advisable that the same offer shall apply for press members.

3. 19 Photography and Television

3. 19. 1 Only photographers and camera crew expressly authorised by the Press Officer may work in the playing venue.

a) Flash may be used only during the first five (5) minutes.
b) In tie-break games, flash may only be used in the first three (3) minutes. In case of 5 minutes + sudden death games, flash is not permitted, the use of cameras without flash may be permitted if the Arbiter in charge deems their use to be unobtrusive.
c) Television cameras must be unobtrusive and may only be used if the Arbiter in charge deems their use to be unobtrusive.
d) An official photographer, designated by the Organisers with the approval of the Chief Arbiter shall be allowed to take photos at any time during the round without flash.

3. 20 Ceremonies.

3. 20. 1 The Opening Ceremony shall take place two days prior to the first round and the participants are required to take part.

3. 20. 2 The program of the Opening Ceremony shall be supervised by FIDE. Cultural program and speeches totalling up to 60 minutes are usually welcome. FIDE Anthem and the Anthem of the hosting country shall be played.

3. 20. 3 The Closing Ceremony shall take place not later than one day after the end of the event and the participants are required to take part. The Organisers shall provide a victory garland, a trophy and a gold medal for the winner and a silver medal for the loser. Anthem of the winner’s country, FIDE Anthem and Anthem of the hosting country shall be played.

3. 21 FIDE Rights and Obligations of the Organisers

3. 21. 1 Stipends

3. 21. 1. 1 The stipends to be paid to the Principals of the World Chess Championship Match are (in USD):

Chairman of Appeals Committee: 10,000
Two members of Appeals Committee: 12,000
Chief Arbiter: 8,000
Deputy Arbiter: 6,000
Press Officer: 4,000
Chairman of FIDE Medical Commission: 3,000

3. 21. 2 Travelling and Accommodation

3. 21. 2. 1 Travel. The FIDE President has the right to first class travel by air, sea or rail, at the Organisers` expense. The FIDE Deputy President has the right to business class travel by air, sea or rail, at the Organisers expense. All other Principals shall be provided with transport by air, sea or rail or, if they prefer, any other mode of transport that is not more costly to the Organisers than air travel. Any Principal making his own travel arrangements without the agreement of the Organisers does so entirely at his own risk.

3. 21. 2. 2 Board and Lodging. For the FIDE President a suite in a first class hotel should be provided and for the Deputy President one junior suite in the same first class hotel. For each Principal – a double room in the same first class hotel. Extra expenses will be covered by the Organisers only for the FIDE President.

3. 21. 2. 3 Food and drinks. Provision for food and drinks shall be provided for all the Principals. This shall be provided by a specified allowance in local currency per day or by the provision of all meals in the restaurant of the hotel. The nature and amount shall be agreed between the Organisers and WCCC.

3. 21. 2. 4 Local transportation. Transfer from and to the airport will be provided by the organisers, if necessary. For FIDE President, a chauffeur-driven car. For the other Principals, a number of cars shall be made available; their use will depend on the position of the hotels, playing hall and media centre, and on the leisure activities of the Principals. Alternatively, a daily allowance in local currency may be provided, the amount to be agreed between the Organisers and WCCC. Local transport shall also be provided for players to official functions if necessary.

3. 21. 2. 5 Personnel – The Organisers should provide sufficient personnel to assist in the playing hall, press room, VIP room, and at ceremonies according to the agreement made with the WCCC.

3. 22 Sponsor eligibility

No proposed sponsor for the World Chess Championship Match shall be in conflict with the regulations of the International Olympic Committee.

3. 23 Other

3. 23. 1 At any time in the course of the application of these regulations, any grounds that are not covered or any unforeseen event shall be referred to the Presidential Board or the President of FIDE, for final decision.