Article 1. GAME RULES.

Paragraph 1. The starting time of the game, as referred to in Article 6.5 of the FIDE Rules, is 20.00 hours.

Paragraph 2. The thinking time for the game is the same as specified in Article 23, paragraph 1 of the RSB Competition Rules.

Paragraph 3. The rules for noting the moves are the same as defined in Article 23 paragraph 2 of the RSB Competition Rules.

Article 2. THE COMPETITION.

Paragraph 1. Games are played in 1 (one) Group.

Paragraph 2. Players play a maximum of 2 (two) times against each other.

Paragraph 3. The white player informs the competition leader of the result and the black player tidies up the pieces.

Article 3. THE FINAL PLACE.

Paragraph 1. The final position is determined by the winning percentage.

Paragraph 2. To be included in the final standings, a player must play a minimum of 26 games. All games played for RSB competitions count as a played game, but the result is not included in the standings (maximum 8 RSB games per season). A KNSB cup match, a bye (odd), external match management and bar service count as a played match. An alternative attendance point can be obtained a maximum of 2 times in a season. Being present at the Rapid Evening does not count as a played match. After all, catch-up matches can be played on a Rapid Evening, which do count.

Article 4. CHAMPIONSHIP, PROMOTION and DEGRADATION.      

Paragraph 1. The group is divided into 3 (three) subgroups. There is played for a General and a Winter Championship. In both competitions the following promotion and relegation rules apply.

Paragraph 2. The number 1 (one) of the Winter competition is Winter Champion. The number 1 over the whole season Champion of Shah Mata.

Paragraph 3. The number 1 (one) of subgroups 2 (two) and 3 (three) are Champions of the respective subgroup.

Paragraph 4. The numbers 1 and 2 of subgroups 2 and 3 promote to a higher subgroup.  

Paragraph 5. The two lowest ranked players of subgroups 1 and 2 relegate to a lower subgroup, regardless of the number of games they have played.      

Paragraph 6. In case of a draw, the final ranking is determined by the mutual result, the resistance points and the SB points, in sequence. If that is not decisive, the number of games played is decisive. The player with more played matches ends higher. If this number is also equal, a Barrage will be played, in consultation with the competition leader.    

Paragraph 7. After the last evening of play in January, an intermediate ranking will be made, of which the numbers 1 of the 3 subgroups are Winter Champions. Players must have participated in a minimum of 14 (fourteen) games and receive a maximum of 3 alternative attendance points. (See article 3, paragraph 2).

Article 5. Classification of new members.

Paragraph 1. New members are classified in the subgroup whose average rating corresponds to the rating of the new member.

Paragraph 2. Members, who have not played a season, will be classified as if they were new.

Paragraph 3. New members with no known rating will be classified in the lowest subgroup.

Article 6. Classification.

Paragraph 1. The tournament director will make a weekly preliminary classification based on the absences.

Paragraph 2. To overtake a game on a Rapid evening, one must register with the competition leader. Only players who are behind in the number of played matches are eligible for a catch-up match. 

Article 7. CANCELLATION.

Paragraph 1. Cancellation of a match must be done by the Competition Leader or his deputy. Players with a provisional bye must also cancel.  

Paragraph 2. Cancellations can be made verbally, by telephone, by WhatsApp or by E-mail. By E-mail or WhatsApp, the cancellation is only registered if the competition leader has confirmed the cancellation.

Paragraph 3. On Tuesdays, cancellations can only be made by phone or WhatsApp.

Paragraph 4. If a player does not cancel, the competition manager can assign a losing game to the player who did not show up. His opponent will get another opponent, a bye or a win by forfeit.

Article 8. INVOLVABLE CONDITIONS.

Paragraph 1. In circumstances not provided for in these rules, the competition Leader will decide.

Paragraph 2.  An appeal against this decision can be made to the Executive Board.