Just the Rules: Last-Round Byes

There is an entire rule devoted to half-point byes in our rulebook. There you will find directives on when to allow them and when not to allow them. Those directives are also furnished with escape hatches. That mix makes it as clear as mud.

One should ideally ask for last-round byes early on — like, before the tournament begins. Why? It rubs people the wrong way when a wood-pusher checks out the wallchart before their last contest, sees that a half-pointer in their upcoming game guarantees them first place gold (or, at least, some gold), and then requests a half-point bye.

If the TD allows that late-requested last-round bye — which is one of those escape hatches — it may result in ire from the crowd raining down hard upon officialdom. This reaction makes some sense: Surprising and unearned top spot victories — particularly those that come with a payout — create a lot of negative emotions.

Late Last Round Bye Requests

One challenge the TD has when denying a last-minute finishing-round bye request that leads to a top tier finish is controlling what happens next. That wood-pusher’s last round contest can, way too often, then lead to a quick draw. Even imposing a move limit before a draw can be offered can still backfire.

Rule 22C does point out the timetable for requesting byes: before the event begins and during the first half of the tournament is best. A safe bet for the organizer is to publicize a tournament’s bye policy. Surprising players with an unstated bye policy is not the best idea.

Canceling an Earlier Bye Request

Sometimes a last-round bye request comes in early enough to satisfy the rules. But, when a chess general realizes that a last-round win would put them into prize contention, they may decide to play the system and request to cancel that tournament-ending half-pointer.

Taking advantage of the escape hatch mentioned earlier, the TD is allowed to pair them (say what?)! But, in that instance, the game score would at most count for only rating points, not for prizes. Only the half-point from the bye would be calculated for any event gold. Their opponent’s final tournament standing, and possible prizes, would be calculated using the actual game score.

Wiggle Room: Last Round Bye Requests

The TD can stick to holding players to their irrevocable last-game bye request — asked for early in the tournament. In rule 32C1, wood-pushers that do not complete the event cannot claim prizes. Byes in the last round may be considered a withdrawal.

Sidebar: Before rule 32C1, some clever players that wanted to withdraw instead asked for a late last-round bye. That-a-way, they could go home early and still collect a paycheck.

Depending on the circumstances, the TD might vary — on an individual basis — their rulings in dealing with those last rounders. Playing the last game, instead of receiving a bye, when money — or a trophy — is at stake is one thing. The half-point stands. Allowing the switcheroo from a bye to a game in the final contest of the day — when no prizes are at stake — is something else. In that instance, the TD may reason that there is little harm in allowing a last-round bye request to morph into a last-round pairing where the final contest score for the two wood-pushers counts both for ratings and final standings.

Sometimes, there are good reasons for those last-round half-point bye requests: family obligations, travel, etc. In small club or local events, there does not seem to be a huge problem with contestants asking for those last round half-pointers, or for canceling them. It is those Super Swisses with their large paydays that causes the most concern. 

The Bottom-Line Best Practices

1. Late requests for last-round byes should not be honored when prizes are involved.

2. Early requests for last round-byes should be honored exactly as requested when prizes are involved.

3. Early and late requests for last round byes have wiggle room when prizes are not involved.

4. A list of bye requests should be posted early for all to see.

Want more? Past columns can be found here or by searching the Chess Life Online archives. 
 

Plus, listen to Tim when he was a guest on the podcasts “One Move at a Time” and “The Chess Angle.”

Tim Just is a National Tournament Director, FIDE National Arbiter, and editor of the 5th, 6th, and 7th editions of the US Chess Rulebook. He is also the author of My Opponent is Eating a Doughnut & Just Law, the latter of which is also available from US Chess Sales. Additionally, Tim revised The Guide To Scholastic Chess, a guide created to help teachers and scholastic organizers who wish to begin, improve, or strengthen their school chess program. US Chess awarded the 2022 Tournament Director Lifetime Achievement Award to Tim. He is also a member of the US Chess Rules Committee plus the Tournament Director Certification Committee (TDCC). His new column, exclusive to US Chess, “Just the Rules” will help clarify potentially confusing regulations.