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+
+        The following is the current (December 15, 1993) complete offi-
+cial rules of the World Blitz Chess Association (WBCA) for Blitz
+(SD Game/5) chess.  It is reprinted with permission for non-commercial
+use only.  All other rights reserved.
+
+        The WBCA does not license tournament directors for its sanc-
+tioned events, but accepts the licensing of other organizations such as
+the U.S. Chess Federation and FIDE for tournament directors or arbiters
+as evidence of qualification.  For additional information on holding of-
+ficial WBCA tournaments, club affiliation or WBCA  membership, see the
+contact information at the end of these rules.
+
+        The U. S. Chess Federation sanctions and rates Quick Chess tour-
+naments with time controls from SD Game/10 to SD Game/29, but true Blitz
+(SD Game/5) is sanctioned and rated by the WBCA.
+
+        Every effort has been made to transcribe these rules exactly as
+distributed by the WBCA except for the minor reformatting required to
+allow for differences in fonts, line widths, etc.  As distributed by the
+WBCA, the rules are on two sheets, but can easily be copied on one sheet
+front and back with an inch left at the bottom of the second page for
+your personal tournament notes!
+
+Mike Burger, UH Chess Club
[email protected]
+
+   ______________________Begin Official Rules___________________________
+
+                       Rerevised WBCA Blitz Rules
+                           November 12, 1992
+
+    Approved by the ProChess committee of Nick Defirmian, Max Dlugy,
+                   Yasser Seirawan and Walter Browne
+
+1)      Each player must make all his moves in the five minutes allotted
+on his clock.  This is the standard international Blitz time limit for
+all WBCA events.  It is the only time limit which will be WBCA rated.
+
+2)      All the clocks must have a special device, usually called a
+"flag" marking the end for the time control period.  Either player may
+object to using a computer clock provided they produce a clock with a
+standard face.  In the event that both players prefer their own standard
+face clock, the player with Black will have the choice each game.
+
+3)      Before play begins both players should inspect the position of
+the pieces and the setting of the clock, since once each side has made a
+move all claims are null and void.
+
+4)      Each player must push the clock with the same hand he uses to
+move his pieces. Exception: only during castling may a player use both
+hands.  Also when capturing, may only one hand be used.  The first in-
+fraction will get a warning, the second a one minute penalty and the
+third will result in the loss of the game.
+
+5)      The arbiter should state at the start of the event the direction
+the clocks are to face, and the player with the Black pieces then de-
+cides which side he will play with that opponent.
+
+6)      Except for pushing the clock neither player should touch the
+clock except:
+
+        a) to straighten it.
+
+        b) If either player knocks over the clock his opponent gets one
+minute added to his clock.
+
+        c) If your opponent's clock does not tick you may push his side
+down and repunch your side; however, if this procedure is unsatisfacto-
+ry, please call for a director.
+
+        d) Each player must always be allowed to push the clock after
+their move is made.  Also neither player should keep his hand on or
+hover over the clock.
+
+7)      Defining a win
+
+        A game is won by the player:
+
+        a) who has mated his opponent's king.
+
+        b) whose opponent resigns.
+
+        c) whose opponent's flag falls first, at any time before the
+game is otherwise ended, provided he points it out and neutralizes the
+clock while his own flag is still up and that he still has mating ma-
+terial.
+
+                1.) Either two minor pieces (except K v K+N+N), a pawn
+or a rook will be sufficient mating material.  No trick mates are al-
+lowed which means a lone knight or bishop is insufficient unless a
+forced win can be demonstrated.
+
+8)      Defining a draw
+
+        A game is a draw:
+
+        a) If one of the kings is stalemated even if a fallen flag is
+claimed simultaneously.
+
+        b) By agreement between the players during a game only.
+
+        c) If the flag of one player falls after the flag of the other
+player has already fallen and a win has not been claimed.
+
+        d) To claim a draw by perpetual check, a four-time repetition is
+necessary with the player counting 1,2,3,4 etc. out loud so as to make
+it quite clear and easier for arbiters to assist.  Claimant should stop
+the clock after the 4th repetition.
+
+        e) If both players each have just one identical piece either may
+claim a draw by stopping the clock if neither side can show a forced
+win.
+
+        f) If one player has insufficient mating material when his
+opponent's flag falls or makes an illegal move.
+
+        g) In K+bishop vs K+bishop of opposite colors with only 1 pawn
+on the board, or in 2 vs 1 in a clearly blockaded position, a draw can
+be claimed by stopping the clocks and summoning an arbiter if necessary
+provided there is no forced win.
+
+        h) K+rook pawn vs K can be claimed as a draw once the defender
+is on the rook file in front of the pawn. K+pawn vs K can be claimed as
+a draw once the defender is immediately on the square directly in front
+of the pawn as long as it's not on the 7th rank.
+
+                             Miscellaneous
+
+9)      If a player accidentally displaces one or more pieces, he shall
+replace them on his own time.  If it is necessary, his opponent may
+start the opponent's clock without making a move in order to make sure
+that the culprit uses his own time while replacing the pieces.  If a
+player first touches one piece, then moves another; his opponent can
+restart the player's clock and make him move the first piece touched.
+Finally, it is unsportsmanly to knock over any pieces then punch the
+clock.  For a first offense the player will get a warning (unless he
+causes his opponent's flag to fall, in which case the offended shall get
+1 minute extra on his clock); for a second offense a 1 minute add on
+will be imposed; for a third offense he shall forfeit the game.
+Thereafter the arbiter may use other penalties or expel a player from
+the event for repeated offenses.
+
+10)     In case of a dispute either player may stop the clock while the
+arbiter is being summoned.  In any unclear situation the arbiter will
+consider the testimony of both players and any reliable witnesses before
+rendering his decision, which in all cases will be final.
+
+11)     The arbiter shall not pick up the clock except in the case of a
+dispute when both players allow him to do so.
+
+12)     Spectators and players in another game are not to speak or oth-
+erwise interfere in another game.  If a spectator interferes in any way
+such as by calling attention to a flag fall or an illegal move, the ar-
+biter may cancel the game and rule that a new game be played in its
+stead.  and he may also expel the offending party from the playing room.
+The arbiter should also be silent about illegal moves or flag falls (un-
+less there are sufficient arbiters and they have agreed with the players
+to call them before the event started) as this is entirely the responsi-
+bility of the players.
+
+13)     When a clear drawn position is reached either player may stop
+the clocks and appeal to the arbiter for a draw.
+
+        a) If the arbiter allows a draw the game is over.
+
+        b) If the appeal is rejected then 1 minute penalty is imposed on
+the player who stopped the clock.
+
+14)     A player who has played an illegal move must retract it and make
+a legal move on his own time.  If no legal move exists with that piece
+then he may make any legal move.  Illegal moves unoticed by both players
+cannot be corrected afterwards, nor can they become the basis for making
+a claim, although a piece once touched must be moved.  An illegal move
+is completed when the player neutralizes the clock, whereupon the op-
+ponent may claim a win provided he has mating material.
+
+15)     A legal move is completed when the hand leaves the piece.
+
+16)     Moving the King next to another King is illegal, however neither
+player can play King takes King! This cheap shot will not be tolerated!
+In that case you can claim a win because of an illegal move.
+
+17)     If a player promotes a pawn and leaves the pawn on the board the
+opponent only has the option of stopping the clocks while a replacement
+piece is found.
+
+18)     An arbiter may determine that a clock is defective and may
+change clocks at his discretion.
+
+19)     Before a tournament the organizers should post at least 2 copies
+of the complete Blitz rules in the tournament area unless there are
+fewer than 25 players, in which case 1 list will suffice.  Posting one
+hour before play would be advisable.
+
+20)     If the king and queen are set up incorrectly then you may castle
+short on the queenside and long on the kingside!
+
+21)     Finally, in all World Blitz Chess Association tournaments the
+decision of the arbiter is final.
+
+        However, for future consideration the WBCA will listen to any
+grievances or wrongdoings on the part of any arbiter or players.
+
+        Eventually the WBCA will publish a list of the best Blitz
+clocks.
+
+        With the rules being clarified in this way, Blitz events will
+run more smoothly because people will enjoy the game more with less ar-
+guments.  Many retired players will return to the game and new players
+will become involved.
+
+   _____________________End Official Rules___________________________
+
+For further World Blitz Chess Association information contact:
+
+W. B. C. A.
+8 Parnassus Road
+Berkeley, CA 94708
+
+Phone (US) 1-510-549-1169
+FAX   (US) 1-510-486-8078
+
+BLITZ CHESS is published quarterly by the W. B. C. A.
+GM Walter Browne, Editor in Chief
+Sam Parazette, Database & Ratings Director
+Kelly Clarke, Assistant Editor
+ISSN #1053-3087
+