NSWCA Arbiter’s Manual
Updates in Version 1.2: Added a note regarding the removal of increment after an illegal move.
Please email winstonzhaochen@gmail.com if there are any issues regarding the arbiter’s manual.
NSWCA Arbiters Renumeration
All arbiter remuneration is tax-free as it is a hobbyist activity. Renumeration is split as Chief/Deputy.
Full-day events (including rapids): $300/$250
NSW Open Friday evening: $150/$125
Week-night events (e.g. NSW Championship): $125/Nil (only the Chief arbiter is paid).
11-round Blitz: $135/$115
9-round Blitz: $105/$90
Other Formats: Decided on a case-by-case basis by the NSWCA Council.
NSWCA Arbiters Appointment Procedure
You must be a licensed National Arbiter to be appointed as an arbiter for any NSWCA event. Please email tournaments@nswca.org.au if you would like to be added to the arbiter’s mailing list.
Past Experience
Chief Arbiter roles can only be appointed to FA/IAs, or NAs with substantial experience.
Licensed arbiters who have no previous experience will not be eligible for selection under a paid role as a deputy arbiter. Prior experience, such as at local clubs, is required before you are eligible to be appointed at NSWCA events. Opportunities to gain experience at NSWCA events may be offered in the future, but this will be decided after the NSWCA Council meets.
Conflicts of Interest
Arbiters must declare any conflicts of interest they may have with the players. This can include:
- Being an immediate family member of a player
- Having a close personal relationship with a player
- Being a coach/mentor of a player
- Having a financial interest in the player’s result
Having a conflict of interest does not immediately disqualify you from being appointed to an NSWCA event. However, they must be disclosed beforehand.
National Arbiter Requirements
Once a person attends an endorsed National Arbiter Seminar and passes the National Arbiter Exam (80% pass mark), they are entitled to purchase a National Arbiter license under the Australian Federation. They need to contact the Australian FIDE Delegate (Dr Kevin Bonham).
However, the following requirements must be met before a licensed Australian National Arbiter can attend a FIDE Arbiter Seminar (face to face or online):
- 5 ACF Arbiter Norms (ACF or FIDE Rated Tournaments) with the following possible combinations
- At least 2 classical, 1 rapid, 2 blitz tournaments or
- At least 2 classical, 1 blitz, 2 rapid tournaments
- ACF Norms to be signed off by tournament Chief Arbiter / Chief Organiser/Supervisor (FA, IA, or ACF Councillor. The ACF Councillor must be at least a National Arbiter).
- Only 1 ACF Arbiter Norm is allowed in advance before passing the National Arbiter Seminar (within 6 months of NA Seminar).
- All signed off ACF Norms are to be sent to the ACF Arbiter Training Director for final sign off (IA Dr Peter Tsai who will centrally keep a record of all AUS ACF Arbiter Norms).
- At least 2 of the ACF Norms must be from tournaments with a minimum of 25 players (Swiss), with no tournament having less than 8 players (Round Robin).
- Only 1 FA Norm tournament is allowed within 2 years of a person obtaining their NA licence and only after they have completed all 5 ACF Arbiter Norms.
- There must be at least 2 years between a person obtaining their NA license before they can attend a FIDE Arbiter Seminar.
The above applies to people who have attended an endorsed National Arbiter Seminar in Australia from 1st September 2025 onwards.
IA Dr Peter Tsai
ACF Arbiter Training Director
Email: chess@t-s-a-i.com