Zero tolerance in chess
Zero tolerance
Definition
In over-the-board chess, “zero tolerance” (often called the “Dresden Rule”) is a tournament regulation that sets the default time to zero minutes: when the round starts, any player not present at their board immediately loses by forfeit. There is no grace period.
How it is used in chess
Zero tolerance is a timekeeping and attendance policy in the event regulations. It affects the start of each round as follows:
- At the announced start time, the arbiter starts the clocks. Players must be at their boards when time is called.
- If a player is absent at that moment, the arbiter records a forfeit loss (0–1 or 1–0). The game does not start and no moves are made.
- In team competitions, a forfeit affects the team’s board result and potentially match points.
- Rating/norm note: a forfeit without any moves being played does not count for FIDE rating or norms, but it does count for tournament standings and tie-breaks.
By contrast, many events specify a non-zero “default time” (for example, 5, 10, or 15 minutes). Zero tolerance is simply the strictest possible setting of that default time.
Strategic and practical significance
Zero tolerance changes player routines and tournament logistics:
- Players must arrive earlier, verify their board and color, and be seated at the start signal to avoid a forfeit.
- Pre-game routines (last-minute restroom break, coffee, brief walk) must be completed before the round start rather than during the first minutes.
- In large venues (security checks, long walks to boards) and in poor weather or heavy traffic, time buffer becomes essential.
- For arbiters and organizers, start procedures must be precise and well-communicated to avoid disputes.
History and rule evolution
The “zero tolerance” idea became widely known after the 2008 Dresden Chess Olympiad, which enforced a zero default time—hence the nickname “Dresden Rule.” A number of players and even teams forfeited early rounds due to arriving moments late, sparking controversy.
Subsequently, FIDE’s Laws of Chess were clarified to let each event specify its own default time in the regulations. If an event does not specify a default time, many federations interpret the Laws as zero by default, but most open tournaments now publish an explicit grace period (commonly 10–15 minutes) to reduce accidental forfeits.
Examples and scenarios
- Example 1 (zero tolerance in force): Round begins at 10:00. A player reaches the board at 10:00:30. The arbiter records a loss by forfeit; no moves are played; the result counts in the standings but not for rating.
- Example 2 (15-minute default time): Round begins at 10:00. A player arrives at 10:11. The game is still legal to start; the late player’s clock has been running since 10:00.
- Team event impact: In a 4-board match, one player is late under zero tolerance and forfeits. The team starts the match 0–1 down, increasing pressure on the remaining boards.
- Player presence detail: If a player is physically at the board at start time (even standing beside their chair) and then steps away, they are considered present; zero tolerance is satisfied.
Anecdotes and controversies
- Dresden 2008 saw multiple high-profile forfeits in early rounds as players misjudged venue entry and security lines. The outcry led many organizers to prefer short grace periods rather than zero.
- Elite events occasionally produce near-misses: grandmasters sprinting to their boards with seconds to spare after traffic or elevator delays. These incidents highlight how zero tolerance polices punctuality but can feel harsh when delays are beyond a player’s control.
- Debate continues: proponents argue it raises professionalism and keeps rounds on schedule; critics say it sacrifices sporting fairness to logistics and punishes trivial lateness.
Practical tips
- Check the event regulations for “default time” before the tournament. If it’s not stated, ask the arbiter.
- Arrive early, especially in large venues or unfamiliar cities. Aim to be seated a few minutes before the start signal.
- Confirm your board number and color as soon as pairings are posted; big open halls can be confusing.
- Finish pre-game routines before the start time. If you like to take a short walk, set an alarm to return in time.
- Team captains should coordinate earlier arrival for the whole squad; a single forfeit can decide a match.
Interesting facts
- Games lost by forfeit without any moves are not rated and cannot be used for title norms, but still count for prizes, standings, and team match points.
- Zero tolerance is separate from other automatic-loss rules (for example, illegal phone ring or refusing a handshake in events that require it). Those are different regulations.
- Some elite tournaments have experimented with short grace periods (e.g., 2–5 minutes) to keep punctuality while avoiding “half-minute” forfeits.