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General MSO Tournament Rules

The MSO is run to let all players enjoy a fun and fair competition. The rules are used to ensure that thsi is the case. As with any large event there will always be need for the arbiter and occasional examples of cheating. This article is designed to outline the general rules of the MSO that apply to all events. It is necessary to be able to deal with any situation that can arise to ensure that all medals are justly awarded.

Cheating

Deliberate cheating is the most serious offence that a player can do. If a player is caught deliberately cheating they will automatically be disqualified without a refund. The worse offenders can be stripped of any earlier medals, ranks and titles and potentially will face a life-time ban and all appropriate international governing bodies will be informed.

Senior Arbiter

The senior Arbiter's decision will override all other written game rules. This is because some games have not fully dealt with the complexities that can arise at international level of competition. In the event that a player feels that the senior arbiters decision is unjustifiable a ruling council will be formed of three senior MSO commitee members for which the complaining player must pay a deposit. Each council member then must vote either for or against the ruling. A simple majority decision than decides the ruling. In the event that the senior arbiter's decision stands the council then have to decide if the complaint was frivolous, and if so the deposit is forfeit.

Language and Ettiquette

The MSO is open event and normally expects its players and visitors to be couteous to one another. We accept that at such a high level of competition that tensions run high and that an occasional outburst is unavoidable. in such circumstances the player may be asked to leave the playing area for a certain time by the arbiter regadless of whether their clock is running. Serious insults will not be tolerated and anyone doing so will have to apologise or face strong disciplinary action.

Spectator Misconduct

It is often difficult to resolve a case where a spectator has made a comment that could effect the outcome of a game and depends on the particular circumstances. However, if the spectator is a player or the responsibility of a player then there may be penalties placed upon the offending player.

Crime

Any criminal activity that one player does against another will not only be reported to the police but will incur disciplinary action. Please note that under British law gambling is only allowed on licensed premises of which the MSO is not one.

Basic Rules

Touch move applies to all non-beginner tournaments unless stated before the start of the event. Touch move may be waived by players at the tournament. No player may hide pieces from other players sight (this includes the backs of cards). In clocked games a move is not complete until the clock has been pressed (many games do not let the move change once the piece has been let go). The standard Tie-breaks applies unless stated otherwise before the end of the first round of play. A player can refuse to play a round that starts after the start of the next time period on the timetable with the exception of play-offs. No players can agree a result that is not a possible outcome.

Collusion

No player can collude with another unless it is in their own interest in the tournament. Players can only agree to restart a round if the round still finishes on time and there were genuine external factors affecting the play. The arbiter can change the result between two players if the game could not be shown to be honest (although this has not yet had to happen).

Disciplinary Action

Minor mistakes will be corrected using the particular game's rules. Often it may not be clear whether a player was cheating deliberately or not. In such circumstances a player can be given an official warning and may be placed on probation. In these circumstances the arbiter might refer back to earlier rounds in the competition. If an enquiry makes the players play seem highly suspicious the arbiter may make a score adjustment. Most disciplinary measure will be a score adjustment but players can be disqualified or even banned if the cheating was thought to be deliberate. Some games have their own ruling bodies which allow for sometimes lengthy decision process. External bodies' rulings may lead to the lifting of a ban if the player is exhonerated but they cannot be used to change the outcome of the event after the end of the tournament only the Senior Arbiter can do this.