Hail Houses of Sapience once more!

Finally, I can announce the opening of the Tournament. The opening
festivities shall start exactly two months from now (INSANITY ALERT :
Saturday, 14th of October, 19:30 GMT,achaean GMT). I hope that all of
those who have been subscribed to participate can make it, maybe a bit
earlier and be present when the tournament shall be finally open and the
games can begin.

Now, let us talk about the new tournament rules, improved from the first
edition and adapted to suit your needs better and help the tournament
run smoother.

1.) First round: The names of all the houses that have joined are placed
in a top hat and they will be drawn, matching them until each house
fights another one. If one house has no pair and its lucky to be the
last one standing in the Top Hat, it goes on. Same goes for the next
rounds.

2.) A match between two houses consists of games. For each game we will
use the same random-drawing system to decide which player, from the ones
nominated by each House plays with which. At the end of the 3 games the
house with 2 victories at least (or maybe 3, who knows) wins.

3.) In the room where each chess-game is held, only the two players and
maybe an observer from those who set up the Tournament may stay. Other
persons are not allowed. Games can be played anywhere, and the two
players can agree upon a spot. They can be accompanied by an observer,
if one is available. If the two players request a TIMED match or an
observer for their match, they must message me the time and date they
have decided to dispute the game and I shall dispatch a person to
observe the game.

4.) Takebacks are allowed but only as follows. Each player has the right
to do one takeback per game and only if he decides to undo his last move
in less than 15 seconds after he made his move.

5.) If both players agree, the game can be TIMED by one of the
Observers. So what is a timed game? A timed game is where each of the
players has a quarter of an achaean day to make all his moves. OF course
the clock will be paused while the opponent makes his move. If one of
the players runs out of time he can ask for an extra quarter of a day,
but can do that ONLY once per game. Of course you can refuse, but once a
player runs out of time the game ends, unless the person who runs out of
time has MORE points than the opponent. Then he is forced to take the
extra time. If you have less points than the opponent, and decide not to
take extra time, then, logically, you lose. After a person has used its
extra time once and by the end of its extra time has MORE points than
the opponent, but has no time left, the game ends in a draw.

6.) In a normal game, you need to check-mate your opponent to win. In a
TIMED game you need to either check mate him or score more points than
him by the end of your time allocated. You and your opponent can choose
any style of play! It's up to you.

7.) As I have mentioned, there has to be 3 MAIN players in each team,
each selected by the team leader. The backup players can assist the main
players , but only one at a time, in a match, giving him advices through
tells. If a main player goes inactive, the team has 5 months time to
replace him/her with a backup player or another player from the house.
If they don't do that, and the said player cannot come in the realms and
decide with his opponent when to dispute their match, then his match is
considered loss.

8.) Two players can pause their match anytime and continue it after a
few days, or after a month or two. However no longer than 5 months. So
each of you has 5 months at your disposal after you find out who your
opponent is to discuss with him/her, prepare the match, decide when and
where to play and finish it. By the end of the 5 months, if a game is
not finished, the person with the most points wins automatically.

9.) Note to cheaters: If a player is caught cheating, his House will be
automatically disqualified from the tournament.

10.) Prizes are in Credits this time. The best house gets the Golden
Pawn and 100 credits. The second best house gets 50 credits and the
third best house gets 25 credits.

It's up to the house how to share the credits between their players.
Also, there will be a "Best player of the Tournament" award, with a
secret prize!

Good luck to ya'll! And let the best House win!

Penned by my hand on the 14th of Lupar, in the year 433 AF.