Appendix A. Rapidplay
A.1 A ‘Rapidplay’ game is one where either all the moves must be completed in a fixed time of more than 10 minutes but less than 60 minutes for each player; or the time allotted plus 60 times any increment is of more than 10 minutes but less than 60 minutes for each player.
App A.1 If a game lasts for 1 hour or more then the normal Laws of Chess apply. If the game is 10 or less minutes then Blitz rules apply.
A.2 Players do not need to record the moves.
App A.2 The lack of a game score will restrict the opportunities to claim a draw by repetition or the 50 moves rule.
A.3 The Competition Rules shall apply if
a. one arbiter supervises at most three games and
b. each game is recorded by the arbiter or his assistant and, if possible, by electronic means.
A.4 Otherwise the following apply:
a. From the initial position, once ten moves have been completed by each player,
1. no change can be made to the clock setting, unless the schedule of the event would be adversely affected.
2. no claim can be made regarding incorrect set-up or orientation of the chessboard. In case of incorrect king placement, castling is not allowed. In case of incorrect rook placement, castling with this rook is not allowed.
b. An illegal move is completed once the player has pressed his clock. If the arbiter observes this he shall declare the game lost by the player, provided the opponent has not made his next move. If the arbiter does not intervene, the opponent is entitled to claim a win, provided the opponent has not made his next move.
However, the game is drawn if the position is such that the opponent cannot checkmate the player’s king by any possible series of legal moves. If the opponent does not claim and the arbiter does not intervene, the illegal move shall stand and the game shall continue. Once the opponent has made his next move, an illegal move cannot be corrected unless this is agreed by the players without intervention of the arbiter.
c. To claim a win on time, the claimant must stop the chessclock and notify the arbiter. For the claim to be successful, the claimant must have time remaining on his own clock after the chessclock has been stopped. However, the game is drawn if the position is such that the opponent cannot checkmate the player’s king by any possible series of legal moves.
d. If the arbiter observes both kings are in check, or a pawn on the rank furthest from its starting position, he shall wait until the next move is completed. Then, if the illegal position is still on the board, he shall declare the game drawn.
App A.4 has changed considerably from the previous version.
A.4a allows for initial errors in piece placement and clock settings to be corrected until Black has completed his 10th move. An incorrect clock setting can be changed after this but only if it would affect the tournament schedule. E.g. if the clock had been set for 15 hours rather than 15 minutes!
A.4b allows for a claim of a win if the opponent has made an illegal move. The player loses his right to claim after making, not completing, his move.
A.4c The arbiter is now allowed to call flag fall.
A.4d is an attempt to deal with illegal positions arising during a rapidplay game. A.4b allows the arbiter to step in if he sees an illegal move so this only applies when an initial illegal move has not been seen as it was completed.
Consider the following situations:
a. A player moves his pawn to the far end of the board and says “Queen”. He then starts his opponent’s clock. The arbiter declares the game lost.
b. The arbiter arrives at the board. One king is already in check. The player completes a move checking the other king. The arbiter must wait until the next move is completed. If the position is still illegal he will declare the game drawn.
c. A player has ‘promoted’ a pawn without changing it to another piece (queen). When the arbiter arrives this “queen” has already moved. If the pawn/queen moves again in sight of the arbiter he can declare the game lost if the move is not legal for a pawn!
A.5 The Rules for a competition shall specify whether Article A.3 or Article A.4 shall apply for the entire event.