The International Open Tournament of Kavala “Vasilis Theodoridis” will be conducted in accordance with the FIDE Laws of Chess (E.I.01A) and shall hereafter be referred to as “the tournament.”

Tournament Format and System

• The tournament will follow a FIDE Swiss system with 9 rounds.
• The time control for each game is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 15 minutes for the remainder of the game, with a 30-second increment starting from the first move.

Organizers and Officials

• Tournament Director: Mr. Christoforos Apostolakakis
• Chief Arbiter: Ms. Kleopatra Halvatzoglou, IA

Tie-Breaks

In the event of tied scores, the following tie-break methods will be applied in order:

1. Results within the same point group
2. Buchholz (cut-1)
3. Sonneborn-Berger

Pairings

Pairings will be generated using the “Swiss Manager” computer program.

Eligibility

All players with a valid FIDE ID are eligible to participate.

Group Division

The tournament will be divided into four groups based on players’ FIDE Ratings as of July 1, 2025.

Registration and Deadlines

To participate, players must complete the registration form available on the official website by July 20, 2025.

Confirmation of Participation is mandatory and can be done through:

• The confirmation form on the website.
• Viber: Contact Ms. Dimitra Valsamidou at +30 6949242755 in the Viber Channel by replying to the organizers’ announcement that “Confirmations of participation have begun.”
• In-person: At the playing venue, no later than 13:00 on July 28, 2025.
• Participants who confirm after the deadline may join the tournament starting from Round 2.

Late Arrivals and Forfeits

• Players arriving more than 30 minutes after the scheduled start of the round will forfeit their game.
• Players failing to attend the first round or missing two consecutive or alternate rounds will be eliminated, unless otherwise decided by the Chief Arbiter.

Unforeseen Circumstances

• Any issue not covered by these tournament rules will be resolved in accordance with FIDE regulations for open tournaments.
• Complaints must be submitted within 30 minutes after the round ends.
• An appeal committee will be formed to address complaints, comprising:
  1. A qualified player
  2. A member of the Greek Chess Federation
  3. A member of the tournament organization team
• An objection fee of €60 is required. The fee will be refunded if the appeal is upheld.

Anti-Cheating Guidelines

• The organizers may implement anti-cheating measures, including random checks on players when entering the venue or during matches.
• The use of electronic devices is strictly prohibited in the playing venue.
• The organizers may use specialized equipment to ensure compliance.
• Players are advised not to bring any electronic devices. If devices are brought and stored outside the venue, the organizers will not be held responsible for any loss.

Visas

• Players or delegation members requiring a visa to enter Greece must contact the organizers before July 1, 2025.
• Invitations for visa purposes will only be issued after the necessary payments are received.

Publication of Personal Data

By participating in the tournament, players (or their legal guardians, in the case of minors) consent to the publication of their personal data for the dissemination of the event. This includes but is not limited to results, rankings, participant lists, games, photographs, and videos.

Acceptance of Rules

Participation in the tournament constitutes full acceptance of these rules.