Walkover (chess term)
Walkover
Definition
A walkover (often written as “W.O.”, “w/o”, or “wo”) is a victory awarded without a game being played. In chess, it occurs when an opponent does not appear at the board by the event’s default time or is otherwise unable to start the game, so the present player receives the full point. It is also commonly called a “win by default” or “forfeit win.”
- Walkover vs. Forfeit: In everyday chess talk, the terms are used interchangeably. Strictly speaking, a “walkover” implies the game never started (no moves were made), while a “forfeit” can also be a loss after the game has begun (e.g., mobile phone rings, disqualification).
- Walkover vs. Bye: A Bye is a scheduled round without an opponent (often worth ½ or 1 point depending on the rules). A walkover is an unexpected no-show by a paired opponent and is typically worth 1 point.
How it is used in chess
Walkovers most commonly arise in over-the-board Swiss tournaments when an opponent fails to arrive by the default time, withdraws at short notice, or cannot begin the round due to a rules violation. The arbiter awards the result without any moves being played. In team competitions, a board-specific walkover can occur if a team lacks a player on that board; the opposing player receives a point.
Online and hybrid events also award walkovers when an opponent does not connect or fails pre-game checks. Such wins usually count for the tournament score but not for rating unless at least one move was played.
Scoring, ratings, and tie-breaks
- Score: A walkover is scored as a full point (1-0 or 0-1) for the present player. A double no-show can be recorded by the organizer as a double forfeit with no points to either side.
- Ratings: Unplayed games do not affect ratings in most systems (including FIDE). If no moves are made, the game is not rated. If at least one move was made before a forfeit, the result typically counts for rating.
- Tie-breaks: Event regulations specify how walkovers affect tie-breaks such as Buchholz. Many organizers either exclude walkovers from certain tie-break calculations or treat them differently from played games. Always check the tournament’s rules.
- Colors and pairings: A walkover may still count as a “round played” for color allocation and pairing balance in later rounds, according to the pairing software and regulations used.
Recording a walkover
- Scoresheet/crosstable: The arbiter or organizer records the result as 1-0 or 0-1 and often notes “wo” or “forfeit.” Some pairing programs mark it as “1F–0F.”
- PGN conventions: Since no moves were played, the PGN typically includes tags like [Result "1-0"] and, in many databases, [Termination "forfeit"] or [Termination "won by forfeit"]. There are no moves in the movetext.
- Double walkover: Some crosstables display “– –” for a double default. This is not a valid PGN game result and is generally not exported as a game.
Strategic or historical significance
While not a chessboard strategy, walkovers influence tournaments practically:
- Energy management: Receiving a free point can offer extra rest in a long event, which may be a practical edge—but it may also deprive a player of valuable practice or momentum.
- Pairing dynamics: A walkover may subtly affect subsequent pairings, colors, and tie-breaks, sometimes helping or hurting final standings.
- Regulatory shifts: The “zero-tolerance” approach (requiring players to be seated at the scheduled start time or lose) introduced in top events in the late 2000s led to more walkovers, prompting many organizers to specify a non-zero default time (e.g., 15 or 30 minutes) in their regulations.
Examples
- Spassky vs. Fischer, World Championship 1972 (Game 2): Fischer did not appear for the game; Spassky was awarded a point by forfeit. Though often described as a forfeit, this is a classic example of what many would call a walkover at world championship level.
- Topalov vs. Kramnik, World Championship 2006 (Game 5): Kramnik forfeited after a dispute (the “toiletgate” controversy). Since moves had not begun, this was effectively a walkover for Topalov within the match context.
- Team events: In Olympiads and league matches, a missing player on one board leads to a walkover on that board (1-0 or 0-1), while the rest of the match proceeds normally.
Practical advice
- Know the default time: Check the event regulations for the exact default time and arrive well before the round starts.
- If your opponent is late: Inform the arbiter; do not leave the board until the arbiter confirms the walkover.
- If you cannot play: Notify the organizer as early as possible to avoid inconveniencing others and to allow a re-pairing rather than a walkover.
- Record-keeping: If awarded a walkover, ensure the result is correctly recorded for standings and any rating/tie-break implications.
Interesting facts and anecdotes
The word “walkover” originates from 19th-century horse racing: when only one horse was entered, it merely had to walk over the course to claim victory. Chess adopted the term to describe a point gained without contest. In some crosstables you may see annotations like “1F–0F” (win by forfeit) or “0F–1F,” and occasionally “– –” for a double default.