ATampa Bay Times St. Petersburg, Florida Thursday, July 06, 1972 - Page 1
Strict Rules Guide Chess Championship
Reykjavik (UPI) — A world chess championship match is played under strict and detailed rules issued by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
The match includes 24 games with the winner getting one point for each game won. In a draw, the players get half a point each. No point is given for a loss.
The match is discontinued when one of the players has reached 12.5 points. He is then the world champion. The defending world champion retains his title in case of a 12-12 tie.
In theory each game may go on forever. The first playing session lasts for five hours during which each player is forced to make 40 moves in 2½ hours. If the game is still undecided after five hours the game is adjourned until the following day. The time is then 16 moves per hour.
There is no time limit for each move. The player decided himself how to use his time. But the player running out of time loses the game.
The players sit alone with the official arbiter on a stage where they are allowed to eat, drink, smoke or walk around between their moves. They are only allowed to consult their official seconds — three on each side — when a game has been adjourned. Then the player usually tries to get some rest while his seconds analyze the game for him.
