NAG 2025 Rules and Regulations

A Play-Off will be held only in the event of a tie for the title of Singapore National Champion. A maximum of 4 players based on Buchholz Cut 1 will be eligible for the play-off. The format of the play-offs (semi-final & final) are as follows:

1. 2 rounds of Rapid (15 minutes + 10 seconds increment) –  if still tied, proceed to next format

2. 2 rounds of Blitz (3 minutes + 2 seconds increment) –  if still tied, proceed to next format

3. Armageddon (5 minutes for White, 4 minutes for Black, Black gets draw odds)

Note: 

– If 3 players qualifies for the play-off: 

Semi-final: 2nd vs 3rd player, based on tiebreaks, will compete based on the format as stated above. The winner of the Semi-Final will advance into the Final.The player with the best tiebreaks qualifies for the ‘Final’ directly. 

– If 4 players qualifies for the play-off:

Semi-Final: 1st vs 4th player, 2nd vs 3rd player, based on tiebreaks, will compete based on the format as stated above. The winner of the Semi-Final will advance into the Final.4

• Colors will be drawn before each mini-match.
• The player who finished higher in the tiebreaks will decide who to pick the colors on each occasion.

***Prize Presentation may be brought forward earlier or delayed, depending on the time which the last game ends, or whether there is a Play-off for the title of Singapore National Champion. Any changes to final timing of prize presentation will be published on Chess Results. 

Format and Time Control: 

FIDE Rated, 9 rounds, 90 mins + 30s increment from move 1. Recording is compulsory throughout each game. 

Draw by mutual agreement is not allowed before the completion of Black’s 30th move.

FIDE ID

As this is a FIDE Rated event, all participants are required to have a FIDE ID.

Register for FIDE ID: https://singaporechess.org.sg/product/application-for-fide-id/

Only Singaporeans/PRs can apply through the Singapore Chess Federation.
Otherwise, all other individuals will have to apply through their respective country’s federations.

Tiebreaks

1. Direct Encounter

2. Buchholz Cut 1

3. Buchholz 

4. Sonne-borne Berger

5. Cumulative system – Sum of Progressive Scores (After each round a player has a certain tournament score. These scores are added to determine the total Sum of Progressive Score)

Default Time

Default time of each round is 1 hour. Participants who default will be unpaired for the next round unless the Tournament Director is informed of his/her absence. Any announcements will be made before the start of the round. Participants who are late shall miss any announcements and updates at their own risk.

Submission of Results

a) Upon the completion of a match, both players shall call for an arbiter. Sector arbiters will verify results with both players concerned, and they will sign on the results sheet.

Results once submitted will stand, no matter the outcome. Players are to ensure that results and pairings are correctly written.

b) Where there is a walkover, this shall be indicated on the Result Sheet.

Categories

There will be 6 Categories.

Participants can only take part in ONE category – Multiple entries will be voided. 

Participants may play in a higher category based on their age eligibility, but not lower.

Participants who enter the wrong category based on age eligibility will be voided.

Registration Limit and Deadline: 25th November 2025
Late entries beyond the deadline will not be accepted.

Qualification for SCF National Training Program “NTP” and National Junior Squad “NJS”

The National Champion of each category shall be invited to the NTP in 2026, with fees waived for half a year.

The top 5 boys and girls in each category shall be invited to the NTP in 2026.

The top 50% finishers shall be invited to the NJS in 2025. Invitees shall be required to complete a sorting assessment to place each trainee in a suitable category. 

List of qualified participants for the various squads will be published on Google Sheets and announced after the tournament. This will also be published on Chess Results.

The Singapore Chess Federation reserves the right to amend the selection criteria for the National Training Program depending on the number of entries in each category. Such changes, if any, will be announced prior to the commencement of the first round.

The SCF Selections committee reserves the right to exercise final discretion over invitation of qualified athletes into the National Training Program. For example, a qualified athlete with poor conduct may have their invitation to the NTP revoked.

Organizer Disclaimer 

The Singapore Chess Federation reserves the right to accept or reject entries without assigning any reasons.

Once payment has been made to register for the event, no refunds will be issued for any reasons.

Chief Arbiter’s decision(s) made is/are final. 

Protests against decisions of the Chief Arbiter must be submitted in written form to the Tournament Director within 1 hour after the completion of the respective game. This will be accompanied with an Appeals fee of SGD 200. If the appeal is granted, the sum shall be returned immediately. If the appeal is refused, the sum may be forfeited to the Organizers.

The Appeals Committee shall endeavor best efforts to arrive at a ruling as soon as practicable. 

SCF does not tolerate abusive behavior towards any of our organisers, arbiters, volunteers, players, parents and other stakeholders. Disciplinary action may be taken against those who display abusive behavior. Refer to SCF’s No-Abuse policy for more details: https://tinyurl.com/SCFAnti-AbusePolicy

VISA Application for our foreign friends

Foreigners who want to play in the event must make their private arrangements to get their VISA approved where applicable. The Singapore Chess Federation may, at request, issue invitation letters to facilitate VISA applications. Kindly write to sgchessfestival@singaporechess.org.sg for such requests. 

Entry Fees

Amounts stated below are in Singapore dollars:

Registration fees before 30th September 2025:

Singaporean/PRs – $174.40*

Foreigners – $272.50*

Registration fees 30th September 2025 till closing:

Singaporean/PRs – $228.90*

Foreigners – $327*

*All pricing is in SGD. Fees are inclusive of GST

Prizes*

The top 3 in each categories will receive the following cash prizes:
1st  – $300
2nd – $200
3rd  – $100

Trophies will be awarded to the top 10 participants in the Open categories, and to the top 10 girls in each respective age category. Eligible Participants may win more than 1 prize.

Singapore National Master norms will be awarded to the National Champion Under 20 for open and girls.

The top 3 in the National Under 20 section, both open and girls, will receive an invitation to participate in the finals of the Singapore National Championships.

Only Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) can be declared National Champions of their respective Age Groups

*The organisers and SCF Selection Committee reserve the right to make any final adjustments to these prizes upon review of the final player list. All changes, if any, shall be announced before the first round. 

Fair Play

1. Any dispute arising from a game shall be referred to the Section Arbiter or Chief Arbiter.

2. Chief Arbiter’s decision shall be final.

3. No correspondences will be entertained after the game.

4. No electronics are to be found in players’ possession during gameplay. If a player’s electronic alarm/phone goes off during the tournament, he/she will be disqualified for that round immediately.

5. All personal belongings including wallets, handphones, watches are to be kept in player’s bags, and stowed beneath the table. Participants are to be responsible for their own belongings throughout the duration of the event.

6. At the entrance of the playing venue, Arbiters and Fair Play Officers reserve the right to search players via metal detector or manual means.

7. Arbiters and Fair Play Officers may conduct searches at any point before, during or after the game.

8. Players are to seek Arbiter’s permission if they are to move outside of the playing area. Players may be searched by Arbiters and Fair Play Officers upon re-entry.

9. Players are to play to the best of their natural ability. Any outside assistance in person or via electronic means is strictly prohibited. Arbiters reserve the right to disqualify or declare a game loss if an individual is found to be receiving assistance.
   

    

10. Games will be reviewed by the Fair Play Committee – Any individuals found to be non complaint with Fair Play rules may be removed from the tournament and a full report will be sent to FIDE.
    

11. All participants shall comply and co-operate with the Fair Play rules. Players may be removed from the tournament at any time on final decision of the Chief Arbiter based on Fair Play rules.

12. Only players are allowed within the playing area. Once players have completed their games, they are deemed as spectators and must leave the playing area. Non-players of the event (parents/accompanying persons/spectators, etc) are not allowed within the Playing Area.

We look forward to welcoming you at this year’s Singapore National Age Group Chess Championships. For enquiries, please email sgchessfestival@singaporechess.org.sg. 

Visit our website @: https://www.sgchessfestival.com and our social media pages to follow our updates closely!