Article 12: The Role of the Arbiter (see Preface)

12.1   The arbiter shall see that the Laws of Chess are observed.

12.2   The arbiter shall:

12.2.1    ensure fair play,

12.2.2    act in the best interest of the competition,

12.2.3    ensure that a good playing environment is maintained,

12.2.4    ensure that the players are not disturbed,

12.2.5    supervise the progress of the competition,

12.2.6    take special measures in the interests of disabled players and those who need medical attention,

12.2.7    follow the Fair-Play Rules or Guidelines

12.3   The arbiter shall observe the games, especially when the players are short of time, enforce decisions he/she has made, and impose penalties on players where appropriate.

12.4   The arbiter may appoint assistants to observe games, for example when several players are short of time.

12.5   The arbiter may award either or both players additional time in the event of external disturbance of the game.

12.6   The arbiter must not intervene in a game except in cases described by the Laws of Chess. He/She shall not indicate the number of moves completed, except in applying Article 8.5 when at least one flag has fallen. The arbiter shall refrain from informing a player that his/her opponent has completed a move or that the player has not pressed his/her clock.

12.7   If someone observes an irregularity, he/she may inform only the arbiter. Players in other games must not to speak about or otherwise interfere in a game. Spectators are not allowed to interfere in a game. The arbiter may expel offenders from the playing venue.

12.8   Unless authorised by the arbiter, it is forbidden for anybody to use a mobile phone or any kind of communication device in the playing venue or any contiguous area designated by the arbiter.

12.9   Options available to the arbiter concerning penalties:

12.9.1    warning,

12.9.2    increasing the remaining time of the opponent,

12.9.3    reducing the remaining time of the offending player,

12.9.4    increasing the points scored in the game by the opponent to the maximum available for that game,

12.9.5    reducing the points scored in the game by the offending person,

12.9.6    declaring the game to be lost by the offending player (the arbiter shall also decide the opponent’s score),

12.9.7      a fine announced in advance,

12.9.8    exclusion from one or more rounds,

12.9.9    expulsion from the competition.