Expert: Wuyanbu Zutali - 1/18/2008

Question
My friend and i are trying to run a 7 round swiss tournament

we have 12 players and we thin we are ok for rounds one and two based on ratings
round 1
1v7,2v8,3v9,4v10,5v11,6v12
Round 2
1v6,2v7,3v8,4v9,5v10,6v11,7v12.

which seems fine, the problem arises when you check the points  if we have 3 players on 2 points at the top how do we decide who plays who
or is there a an easy guide to running a tournament


Answer
Hello Andy,

This is a good question.

Being a chess expert and tournament organizer does not mean I know all there is. Being an expert also means I know how to say "I don't know, but will find out." I asked a  senior tournament director and one of the best in our state your question.

He said "The pairings listed for round one are correct. Now if #1 is white then #2 will be black #3 white #4 black and so on. In round two all the winners play each other. Since we may have 6 winners and 6 losers.  In round 2 among the 6 winners #1 plays #4  2plays5 and 3plays 6. If you have an uneven number of people in a scoregroup the lowest player drops to the next scoregroup and plays the highest player there."

Best Regards, Joe

What may also help is a book published by the United Stated Chess Federation on official rules.

I hope this helps.