8th EASTERN ASIA YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, 12 – 21 July 2024

INVITATION
The Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF), under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation
(ACF) and International Chess Federation (FIDE), is inviting all National Chess Federations in
Eastern Asia to participate in the 8th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship. The
championship will take place from 12th to 21st July 2024, at CitiTel Hotel, located on the island
of Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.

TOURNAMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility to participate in the event is as follows:

1.1. The Championship is open to chess players from the Eastern Asia Federations in
FIDE Zone 3.3 and Zone 3.5. The participant must not have reached the respective
ages before 1st January 2024.

1.2. There will be 12 categories, in case there are fewer than five (5) federations or ten
(10) players in an age group, that group shall be merged with another age group.
i. Under 08 Open / Girls: Born on or after 1st January 2016
ii. Under 10 Open / Girls: Born on or after 1st January 2014
iii. Under 12 Open / Girls: Born on or after 1st January 2012
iv. Under 14 Open / Girls: Born on or after 1st January 2010
v. Under 16 Open / Girls: Born on or after 1st January 2008
vi. Under 18 Open / Girls: Born on or after 1st January 2006

1.3. Every Asian National Chess Federation can register only one Official Player in each
category (maximum of 12 official players). No replacement from other categories
can be made if there were no Official Player in one category. Playing in a higher
age category for an official place shall be treated as an additional player.

1.4. All official players – with a maximum of 12 official players per Federation, will be
provided free board and lodging either on a double or a triple room basis. As and
when necessary, a quad or a dormitory lodging may be arranged for the players,
including arrangements at different hotels nearby.

1.5. Each federation may register any number of additional players. Additional players
are subjected to payment of the entry fee, registration fee and fees for full
board/lodging to the Organizing Committee.
 1.6. All participants must have a FIDE ID. For Malaysians, additional MCF ID will be
required.

2. TOURNAMENT FORMAT
The tournament format shall be as follows:

2.1. Pairing System & Number of Rounds

The tournament will be conducted using Swiss System of 9 rounds, Swiss Manager
Program for pairing and shall be in accordance with the Playing Rules of FIDE.
Note: Where there are fewer than five (5) federations or ten (10) players in a category, the
organizer reserves the right to merge the group with another age group category
according to FIDE Regulations for title purposes

2.2. Time Control

Standard event – 90 minutes with increment of 30 seconds from move 1
Rapid event – 15 minutes with increment of 5 seconds from move 1
Blitz event – 3 minutes with increment of 2 seconds from move 1

2.3. Final Ranking & Tiebreak Systems

In the end of the tournament, the final ranking of the players will be determined
according to the number of points obtained. If two or more players finish with
equal points the final ranking shall be according to the tie-break results in the
following order:
2.3.1. Direct Encounter
2.3.2. Greater number of wins (forfeit and byes counted)
2.3.3. Buchholz Cut 1
2.3.4. Buchholz Cut 2
2.3.5. Sonneborn Berger

2.4. Players from the same federation may play each other in the last round.

3. SCHEDULE
The tournament schedule is set as follows:

DATE DAY TIME AGENDA

Check-in after 14:00 Arrival
12-Jul-24 Friday
20:00 Technical Meeting
13-Jul-24 Saturday 09:00 Rapid R1 – R7

14-Jul-24 Sunday 14:00 Opening Ceremony

15:00 Round 1
09:00 Round 2
15-Jul-24 Monday
15:00 Round 3
16-Jul-24 Tuesday 15:00 Round 4
09:00 Round 5
17-Jul-24 Wednesday
15:00 Round 6
18-Jul-24 Thursday All Day Free Day
09:00 Round 7
19-Jul-24 Friday
15:00 Round 8
09:00 Round 9
20-Jul-24 Saturday 14:30 Blitz R1 – R9
20:00 Closing Ceremony
21-Jul-24 Sunday Check-out before 12:00 Departure
4. AWARD OF DIRECT TITLES
Eligibility for the Award of Direct Titles to event winners are as follows:

4.1. Direct titles may be awarded in accordance with FIDE Title Regulations (B01)
effective from 1st January 2024
(Kindly refer to https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/B01DirectTitles2024)

4.2. U18 Open/Girl categories –

4.2.1. The Gold medalist shall be awarded the title of International Master (IM) /
Woman International Master (WIM).
4.2.2. 1st equal players (best 3 players after tiebreak) shall earn an IM/WIM norm.
4.2.3. The Silver & Bronze medalists shall be awarded the FIDE Master (FM) /
Women FIDE Master (WFM).

4.3. U16 Open/Girl categories –

4.3.1. The Gold medalist shall be awarded the title of FM/WFM and an IM/WIM
norm.
4.3.2. 1st equal players (best 3 players after tiebreak) shall be awarded the title of
FM/WFM.
4.3.3. The Silver & Bronze medalists shall be awarded the title of Candidate Master
(CM) / Women Candidate Master (WCM).

4.4. U14 & U12 Open/Girl categories –

4.4.1. The Gold Medalist shall be awarded the title of FM/WFM.
4.4.2. The Silver & Bronze medalists shall be awarded the title of CM/WCM.

4.5. U10 & U08 Open/Girl categories –

4.5.1. The Gold, Silver & Bronze medalists shall be awarded the title of CM/WCM

4.6. For direct title to be awarded immediately an applicant has to achieve at some
time a minimum rating published or interim as follows (see 0.6.2):
IM 2200 / WIM 2000, FM 2100 / WFM 1900, CM 2000 / WCM 1800

4.7. Summary of Direct Titles Awards

CATEGORY GM/WGM IM/WIM FM/WFM CM/WCM

Gold – title Silver & Bronze
U18 - -
1st equal - norm - title

U16 - Gold - norm 1st equal - title -

Silver & Bronze

U14 & U12 - - Gold - title
- title

Gold, Silver &

U10 & U08 - - -
Bronze - title

Min Rating - 2200/2000 2100/1900 2000/1800

5. TROPHIES, MEDALS & CERTIFICATES
Trophies, medals, certificates, and cash prizes offered to the winners and participants of
the event are as follows:

5.1. Individual Prizes

Trophies, medals, and e-certificates will be awarded to the top three (3) in each
category of Standard event, Rapid event & Blitz event. The fourth to tenth places
will only be awarded medals and e-certificates in the Standard events.

5.2. Team Prizes

Trophies will be presented to the top three (3) federations in each category of
Standard event, Rapid event & Blitz event. The final ranking of the teams will be
determined according to the number of points obtained by the top three players
of each federation. Federations with less than 3 players (2 or 1 player/s) will not
be eligible for a team prize. In case of tie, the tie-break results of each top three (3)
players of the federation shall apply.

5.3. Best Federation

Three best Federations, by ranking of medal collected in all categories in Standard
event, will be awarded a trophy. The final ranking of the federations will be
determined according to the number of gold medals. If there is a tie, then the
number of silver medals, and if there is still a tie, then the number of bronze medals.
If finally, this is still tied, then the number of medals in Standard, Rapid & Blitz shall
apply.

5.4. Certificates of Participation

E-certificates of participation will be presented to all players after the event has
concluded.

6. TECHNICAL DELEGATE, CHIEF ARBITER AND APPEALS COMMITTEE

The appointment of Officials for the event:

6.1. The Asian Chess Federation President, after consultation with the Malaysian Chess
Federation (The Organizing Federation) shall appoint the Technical Delegate and
the Chief Arbiter and the necessary assistant arbiters and other officials.

6.2. The Chairman of the Appeals Committee shall be nominated by the Asian Chess
Federation President in consultation with the Malaysian Chess Federation. The
Committee shall be composed of one chairman and two members and two
reserves, all from different federations, chosen from among the representatives of
national federations present.

7. APPEALS
Appeal process against the decision of Chief Arbiter or any of his assistant is as follows:

7.1. Any appeals of protest, including appeals against the decision of the Chief Arbiter or
any of his assistants, must be submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Appeals
Committee within fifteen (15) minutes after completion of the disputed game,
accompanied by protest fee of 100 USD or RM470 in local currency. If the protest is
upheld, the protest fee will be returned otherwise it shall be forfeited to the
Organizing Federation.
 7.2. No protests or appeal will be entertained in the Rapid and Blitz events where the
decision of the Chief Arbiter will be final.

8. REGISTRATION & FEES

Registration Process, Fees, and Procedures.

8.1. All OFFICIAL ENTRIES must be completed using the Official Registration Form and
submitted by the respective federations via email to MCF official email at
mcfsecretariat@malaysiachess.org with copy to syawal.chessworks@gmail.com
before 12 June 2024.

8.2. Please send copy of passports (in JPG file format with each file named as “Passport
- Name Of Holder”) and ID Photos (in JPG file format with each file named as “ID
– Name of Holder”) before the 17th of June 2024 to MCF official email at
mcfsecretariat@malaysiachess.org with copy to syawal.chessworks@gmail.com

8.3. Registration Fee

All participants and all accompanying persons will have to pay a registration fee
of USD110 per person. This Registration fee includes transportation from/to
Penang International Airport, Accreditation Cards, Admittance to the event venue
and banquet of Closing Ceremony.

8.4. Entry Fee

The Entry Fee for all Official Players shall be USD75 and USD150 for all Official
players and Additional Players respectively. The Entry Fee includes for Standard,
Rapid & Blitz events.

8.5. Closing Date

The Official Closing date to register shall be on or before the 12th of June 2024.
Submission of entries after the Official Closing date shall incur additional penalty
fee of 50 USD per person, and subject to Organizers’ discretion/space limitations.
No entries will be entertained after the 26th of June 2024.

8.6. Flight Information

All flight information shall be sent to MCF official email at
mcfsecretariat@malaysiachess.org with copy to syawal.chessworks@gmail.com
before the 17th of June 2024.

9. BOARD & LODGING

Official Venue: CitiTel Hotel Pulau Pinang

9.1. The Official Hotel and Venue for the tournament shall be the CitiTel Hotel Pulau
Pinang located at No 66, Jalan Penang, George Town, 10000 George Town, Pulau
Pinang, Malaysia

9.2. For safety and logistic reasons, all players and accompanying persons, coaches,
and captains are obligated to stay at the Official Hotel with reservations made and
secured via the Malaysian Chess Federation.
9.3. CitiTel Hotel, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

9.4. The Organizing Committee will provide free board and lodging at the Official
Hotel to all Official players and one (1) Head of Delegate per federation on double
or triple room sharing basis from 12 July (with dinner to be provided) to 21 July
(with breakfast only) 2024.

9.5. The rate offered for all additional players and accompanying persons for
accommodation and full boarding at the official hotel shall be as follows:
Single : 110 USD per night per person (990 USD for 10 days & 9 nights)
Double: 90 USD per night per person (810 USD for 10 days & 9 nights)
Triple : 80 USD per night per person (720 USD for 10 days & 9 nights)
Note: price includes: 9 nights of accommodation (12-20 July), 9 breakfasts (13-21 July),
8 lunches (13-20 July) and 8 dinners (12-19 July, 20 July Dinner will be provided during
the closing ceremony)

9.6. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to rearrange the rooming
arrangements according to the room availability as it deems appropriate. This
includes arranging additional rooms at nearby hotels (within a 15-minute drive) as
and when necessary and/or required.
10. PAYMENT
All payments must be made to the Malaysian Chess Federation official bank accounts as
per following details. All bank commissions and/or charges must be managed and paid
by the sender/sender themselves.

After the closing date of 12th June 2024, no request for refund shall be entertained.
Account Name PERSEKUTUAN CATUR MALAYSIA
Bank Name CIMB
Bank Account 8000649725
Swift Code CIBBMYKL
Bank Address CIMB Bank Berhad (Jalan TAR Branch)
Ground Floor, Bangunan Commerce Life,
No 338, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman,
50100 Kuala Lumpur
Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

11. CONTACT DETAILS

For further information or clarification with regards to the Championship, please contact
the following:

I. Najib Abdul Wahab

Honorary Secretary, Malaysian Chess Federation
Email: mcfsecretariat@malaysiachess.org
Mobile: +6016.338.2542

II. Jonathan Chuah

Committee Member, Penang Chess Association
Email: jonathan.chuah@gmail.com
Mobile: +6012.457.3263

III. Syawal Aqmar Shahrir Ariff

Event Administrator/Secretariat
Email: syawal.chessworks@gmail.com
Mobile: +6017.275.7276