Applications & Courses
Singapore Chess Federation National Arbiters’ Seminar 2026
Overview
The National Arbiters’ Seminar serves to equip prospective chess arbiters and tournament assistants with a foundation in the Laws of Chess and selected topics of the FIDE regulations, which are essential for chess arbitration.
Participants who successfully complete the Seminar shall be certified by the SCF Arbiters Commission (ARB), and receive either of the following e-certificates, depending on the level of performance:
- National Arbiters Seminar passing e-certificate; or
- Basic Tournament Assistants Seminar passing e-certificate.
The Seminar is brought to you by the following team of instructors, organisers, and consultants:
- IA Thandar Aye Win, Chief Facilitator and Chairperson of SCF ARB
- IA Khor Eng Yeow, Chief Instructor and Member of SCF ARB
- NA Ong Yujing, Training Committee IC of SCF ARB
- NA Renzo Phua, Secretary of SCF ARB
- FA Saajid Shaik, Curriculum Developer
- FA Lau Yan Han, Curriculum Developer
Seminar Highlights
Gain insights into a wide range of topics:
- FIDE Laws of Chess
- FIDE Tie-Break Regulations
- Pairings Theory and Practicum
- FIDE Ratings and Titles
- … and more!
Eligibility
The Seminar is open to all individuals who are at least 13 years old as of 2026, i.e., born in 2013 or earlier.
Participants must fulfill the following prerequisites:
- Know how the pieces move and their “special” moves (castling; en passant; and pawn promotion); and
- Able to read, write and converse in English.
It is not a prerequisite to have attended and/or passed the Basic Tournament Assistants Seminar.
Date and Time
| Singapore Chess Federation National Arbiters’ Seminar 2026 | |
| Dates | Saturday & Sunday, November 21 – 22 2026 |
| Time | 9 AM – 8 PM (both days) |
| Venue | Singapore Chess Federation
Bishan Community Centre 51 Bishan Street 13, Singapore 579799 |
Seminar Fees and Registration
| Type of Registration | Seminar Fees |
| Standard | $54.50 (with GST) |
| Student | $32.70 (with GST) |
| Full-time National Serviceman | $32.70 (with GST) |
| SCF Member | $32.70 (with GST) |
For this Seminar, the fees do not include the National Arbiter application administrative fee that shall be payable to the Singapore Chess Federation upon applying for the National Arbiter title.
The closing date for registration is Sunday, 15 November 2026, or when capacity has been reached.
Prospectus
The following prospectus forecasts the topics that shall be covered and their schedule. All meals may be self-catered during the break times.
| Time | Learning Module |
| Saturday, 21 November 2026 | |
| 9 AM – 11:30 AM | Course Introduction |
| The Role of the Arbiters and Their Duties | |
| Laws of Chess | |
| Break (45 minutes) | |
| 12:15 PM – 5:45 PM | Laws of Chess (continued) |
| Class Exercise 1a: Laws of Chess (10%) | |
| Class Exercise 1b: Problem-Solving Skills (10%) | |
| Break (45 minutes) | |
| 6:30 PM – 7 PM | Use of Electronic Clocks |
| 7 PM – 8 PM | Exam Revision |
| Sunday, 22 November 2026 | |
| 9 AM – 11:30 AM | Individual Written Examination (40%) |
| Break (45 minutes) | |
| 12:15 PM – 4:15 PM | Pairing Systems |
| Pairing Software (Swiss Manager) | |
| Class Exercise 2: Pairings (20%) | |
| 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM | Fair Play |
| 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM | Rating and Title Regulations |
| Break (45 minutes) | |
| 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Tie-Break |
| Class Exercise 3a: Tie-Break (10%) | |
| Class Exercise 3b: Ratings and Titles (10%) | |
| 7:30 PM – 8 PM | SCF Arbiter Policy |
Certification
Attendance is compulsory for the entire Seminar. The assessments and weightages have been scheduled in the prospectus.
Passing Criteria
| Level of Pass | Conditions for Pass | Participant Will Receive |
| Full | ALL of these conditions must be met:
|
National Arbiters Seminar passing e-certificate, certified by the SCF ARB. |
| Basic | EITHER of these conditions must be met:
|
Basic Tournament Assistants Seminar passing e-certificate, certified by the SCF ARB. |
Only individuals with a valid FIDE ID registered under the SGP federation can apply to the SCF ARB for the titles of Candidate Arbiter or National Arbiter. For more information, please visit https://tinyurl.com/SCFArbiterFAQs or contact the SCF ARB at arbiters@singaporechess.org.sg.
Enquiries
Please email arbiters@singaporechess.org.sg for any enquiries related to this Seminar.
Not available