Here are Annex Chess Club's general tournament and event policies, covering our regular tournaments and special tournaments and events we may operate.

Land Acknowledgement

Annex Chess Club acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of many nations including the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and most recently the Mississaugas of the Credit, and today these lands are home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We welcome all Indigenous People, as we welcome everyone, to our club.

Media Disclaimer

Annex Chess Club (ACC) reserves the right to use any photograph or video taken at tournaments and other events ACC operates, without the permission of those whose images appear in said photographs or videos. ACC may use said media in ways including but not limited to: the ACC website (annexchessclub.com), ACC's social media, advertising, publications, etc.

To ensure individual privacy, images will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the person, or their parent, or legal guardian.

Participation in ACC's tournaments or events is an agreement to release, defend, hold harmless and indemnify Annex Chess Club from any and all claims involving the use of your picture or likeness.

Any person or organization not affiliated with Annex Chess Club may not use, copy, alter or modify the photographs, graphics, videography or other, similar reproductions or recordings without the advance written permission of an authorized representative of ACC.

Please notify ACC if you have concerns or don’t permit the usage of your pictures. ACC will remove your pictures on written request, which can be delivered to info@annexchessclub.com.

Fair Play Policy

Cellphones, smart watches, tablets, and other electronic devices must be off and stored in the player’s backpack or bag, or kept face down at the board, and may not be accessed during play. (Exceptions can be made for medical devices; please confer with our arbiters.)

Watches, headphones and earpieces may not be worn. If a player’s device sounds or vibrates during a game, that player loses their game, unless an exception has been granted by an arbiter. Multiple infractions may result in the player being ejected from the tournament.

Players leaving the playing hall to use restrooms, etc., must leave their devices behind. Any player found with an active device on their person while their game is in progress will lose their current game, unless an explicit allowance has been made by an arbiter (i.e. an emergency phone call). Further infractions may result in the player being ejected from the tournament.

Players may not refer to any chess materials (books, etc.), discuss games in play with others, or play on other chess boards (for example, playing on a board in the skittles room,) while they have games in play. The penalty can range from warning to loss of game.

Spectators whose devices sound will be asked to leave the playing hall. Players whose games are finished are deemed to be spectators.

During tournaments, spectators may not use cellphones, smart watches, tablets and other electronic devices in the playing hall, with the exception of taking photographs, which is only permitted in the first few minutes of any tournament round. In casual events, have fun!

Appeals Policy

If a player disputes the ruling of a tournament's Chief Arbiter, they may appeal to the tournament’s Appeals Committee. Appeals must be submitted in writing within one (1) hour of the completion of the game in question, and must be accompanied by a deposit of $100.  Appeals should be sent to info@annexchessclub.com.

Deposits will be returned if the appeal is successful or is deemed reasonable.