1. Duties of An Arbiter
ECF Arbiter Seminar - Materials by CAA

2. The first duty of an arbiter is to look after the players
The first duty of an arbiter is to look after the players. This is done by:
Ensuring fair play
Making sure players are not disturbed
Reporting/recording results accurately
Punctuality
Duties of an Arbiter
How to be a good Arbiter
ECF Arbiter Seminar - Materials by CAA

3. Duties of an Arbiter Ensuring fair play Make sure Laws are followed
Avoid cheating by players
Observe games particularly if a player is short of time
Duties of an Arbiter
How to be a good Arbiter
ECF Arbiter Seminar - Materials by CAA

4. Duties of an Arbiter Making sure players are not disturbed
Prevent noise
Ensure best playing conditions – space, heating, lighting
The ‘invisible’ arbiter e.g. new scoresheets
Duties of an Arbiter
How to be a good Arbiter
ECF Arbiter Seminar - Materials by CAA

5. Duties of an Arbiter Reporting/recording results accurately
Check results when they come in – do both players agree
Check results are entered correctly
Ensure results are passed on for rating
Ensure prize lists are accurate
Duties of an Arbiter
How to be a good Arbiter
ECF Arbiter Seminar - Materials by CAA

6. Duties of an Arbiter Punctuality Arrive in time to
Set clocks and boards
Put out scoresheets
Display pairings
Be available when
Players are likely to be in time trouble
Draws, etc. need to be done
Continuation scoresheets are needed
Don’t disappear before your work is finished
Duties of an Arbiter
How to be a good Arbiter
ECF Arbiter Seminar - Materials by CAA

7. Duties of an Arbiter Show respect to players, spectators, etc.
Observe games
Be responsible
Help colleagues
Know the regulations
Follow a dress code
Stay calm – or at least appear to do so.
Duties of an Arbiter
How to be a good Arbiter
ECF Arbiter Seminar - Materials by CAA

8. Duties of an Arbiter Before the Start of a Game
Arrive early at least 30 minutes before the start of a round (1st round even earlier)
Check playing venue and conditions
Check equipment
Check layout
Check namecards etc./players are in correct place/order
Duties of an Arbiter
General Duties
ECF Arbiter Seminar - Materials by CAA

9. Duties of an Arbiter During the Game
Check player arrival (zero default especially)
Carry out regular clock checks
Patrol your area
Check any claims received from players
Check correct result handed in
Update results sheet, etc.
Watch for players cheating.
Duties of an Arbiter
General Duties
ECF Arbiter Seminar - Materials by CAA

10. Duties of an Arbiter After the Round
Check results/scoresheets – match totals if appropriate
Pass on any information required to appropriate person
Reset boards, clocks etc
General ‘tidy-up’
General Duties
ECF Arbiter Seminar - Materials by CAA

11. Duties of an Arbiter ECF Arbiter Progression
Level 1 – you become a L1 arbiter on passing the exam following the course.
Level 2 – this requires three favourable tournament reports from ECF Assessors. The tournaments must include a standard play and a rapid/blitz event with 30 players.
Level 3 – FIDE Arbiter (FA). Regulations for this are set by FIDE. It requires a pass in an appropriate course.
Level 4 – International Arbiter (IA). Again awarded by FIDE
Duties of an Arbiter
Arbiting Titles
ECF Arbiter Seminar - Materials by CAA

12. FIDE Arbiter Regulations will continue to be in force for FIDE-rated events, specifically:
All arbiters working at a FIDE-rated event must be FIDE licensed arbiters (Requires Level 1)
All FIDE title norm events must have a licensed FIDE Arbiter or International Arbiter on their list of registered arbiters
In addition, the ECF will not register any events with FIDE whose English-registered arbiters are not Listed at all by the ECF
Norms for Level 2 will not count towards Levels 3 or 4
Duties of an Arbiter
Arbiting Titles
ECF Arbiter Seminar