Terms & Conditions

1. Institutional Identity & Scope

Birsa Chess Foundation is an autonomous sports institution having its registered office at Jayanti-6, Phase-2, Vastu Vihar, Jamshedpur (District: Seraikela-Kharsawan), Jharkhand, established for the advancement of grassroots chess pedagogy, organization of official tournaments conforming to AICF and FIDE guidelines, and arbiter development.

These Terms apply to all visitors, registered players, parents/guardians of minor participants, affiliated academies, coaches, and arbiters utilizing birsachess.com and participating in events organized or co-hosted by Birsa Chess Foundation.

2. Player Eligibility & Verification

• Accreditation Requirements: Participants entering AICF or FIDE rated tournaments must hold a valid AICF Player Registration for the active year and provide their official FIDE ID (if already rated). For unrated grassroots events, new players will be assisted with FIDE ID allocation.
• Age Category Verification: For age-restricted categories (e.g., Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Veterans 55+), players must present authentic proof of date of birth (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Municipal Birth Certificate, or recognized School ID) during on-site reporting. Any discrepancy or falsification will result in immediate disqualification without refund.
• Consent for Minors: Registrations for players under 18 years of age must be executed by a parent or legal guardian who accepts these Terms on the player's behalf.

3. Regulatory Adherence & FIDE Laws of Chess

All tournaments hosted by Birsa Chess Foundation adhere strictly to the current FIDE Laws of Chess and AICF tournament regulations:

• Swiss System Pairings: Pairings are generated utilizing FIDE-endorsed pairing software (e.g., Swiss-Manager). Pairings once published by the Chief Arbiter are non-negotiable.
• Default Time (Walkover): The default arrival grace time for each round will be specified in the official event prospectus (typically 15 to 30 minutes from the round start). Failure to report to the allotted board within the grace period results in a forfeit loss.
• Tie-Break Criteria: Official tie-breaks follow standard FIDE Swiss protocols (Buchholz Cut-1, Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger, Direct Encounter, Greater Number of Wins) as outlined in the event prospectus.

4. Strict Anti-Cheating & Fair Play Protocol

• Electronic Devices Ban: Players are strictly prohibited from bringing mobile phones, smartwatches, smart glasses, Bluetooth earphones, or any electronic communication apparatus into the playing hall. Any player found in possession of such devices during play—whether switched on or off—will immediately forfeit the game and face expulsion from the tournament.
• Arbiter Inspections: The Chief Arbiter and designated arbiters reserve the right to conduct electronic detector screenings and metal scans before, during, or after game rounds.
• Disciplinary Reporting: Confirmed fair-play infractions will be referred to the AICF Disciplinary Committee and FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Commission for national and international bans.

5. Tournament Registrations & Entry Fee Terms

• Entry Confirmation: Registration is deemed complete only after successful payment clearance through our authorized payment gateway. An electronic confirmation with a unique Order ID and digital participant pass is generated upon success.
• Late Fee Cutoffs: Registrations submitted past the regular entry cutoff date are subject to a published late surcharge. Birsa Chess Foundation reserves the right to close registrations prematurely if venue capacity is achieved.
• Non-Transferability: Confirmed tournament entries and entry passes are strictly non-transferable to another individual or another tournament edition.

6. Organizer Rights & Discretion

The tournament organizing committee and Birsa Chess Foundation reserve the absolute right to:

• Refuse or revoke any tournament entry without obligation to disclose reasons, if conduct violates institutional ethics.
• Reschedule round timings, adjust playing venue halls within the designated championship enclave, or alter round counts in response to emergency logistical or weather constraints.
• Combine age categories where the number of registered entries is insufficient to conduct a competitive Swiss tournament, in accordance with FIDE guidelines.

7. Prize Disbursement & Taxation (TDS)

• Award Ceremony: Prizes and trophies are distributed during the official closing ceremony. Winners must attend in person or authorize an accredited representative with valid credentials.
• Tax Deductions: Cash prizes are subject to Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) in compliance with Section 194B of the Indian Income Tax Act where individual winnings exceed statutory thresholds. Prize recipients must provide a valid PAN card copy and bank account details for electronic disbursement.
• Multiple Prizes: A player is eligible for only one highest cash prize unless specifically designated as an aggregate special award in the tournament prospectus.

8. Media, Photography & Intellectual Property

By attending or participating in Birsa Chess Foundation events, players and guardians grant Birsa Chess Foundation perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free permission to photograph, record, livestream, and document matches and ceremonies. Such media may be published on birsachess.com, official social channels, and news publications for promotional and archival purposes.

All logos, emblems, tournament designs, curriculum materials, and website assets are the exclusive intellectual property of Birsa Chess Foundation. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

9. Limitation of Liability & Force Majeure

While Birsa Chess Foundation takes every reasonable precaution to ensure player safety and professional conduct at event venues, we are not liable for loss or damage to personal belongings, electronic gadgets, or travel interruptions.

Birsa Chess Foundation shall not be held liable for failure or delay in conducting events resulting from acts of God, extreme meteorological events, civil unrest, government restrictions, pandemic lockdowns, or force majeure occurrences beyond our control.

10. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms & Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of India. Any legal dispute, arbitration, or proceeding arising out of or in connection with these Terms, website transactions, or tournament conduct shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts in Seraikela-Kharsawan / Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India.