| Players | Rounds |
|---|---|
| up to 8 | 4-5 (or round-robin 7) |
| 8-16 | 5 |
| 17-32 | 6 |
| 33-64 | 7 |
| 65-128 | 8-9 |
| 129-256 | 9-11 |
The logic is simple: to reveal a single winner, the round count should grow roughly like the binary logarithmof the field. Each round roughly halves the group with the maximum score, so 16 players are "separated" in 5 rounds, 32 in 6, 64 in 7, plus a little slack for tied scores.
Hence a pleasant consequence: the round count grows very slowly. Even a mass tournament of a hundred people needs only 8-9 rounds - one day. That's what makes the Swiss system the standard for big amateur events.
Too few rounds and several players score the same, so the winner is decided only by the Buchholz coefficient, which is less obvious. Too many and the last rounds pair leaders whose fate is already sealed, while the tail plays on without suspense.
Use the table above and you won't go wrong. The round count is set once when you create the tournament in the bot, and the bot keeps the pairing correct. How the tie-break works is in the article on the tournament FAQ.
Guide: 8-16 players - 5 rounds, 17-32 - 6, 33-64 - 7, 65-128 - 8-9. The count grows like the binary logarithm of the field, so even a hundred people play just 8-9 rounds.
Each round roughly halves the group with the maximum score. To leave a single winner you need about log2(players) rounds plus a little slack for tied scores.
You can, but then several players score the same and places are decided only by Buchholz - less obvious than a clean win on points. For a short event that's acceptable.
For such a group you can use a round-robin (everyone plays everyone), 5-7 rounds and the fairest result. Or a Swiss of 4-5 rounds if time is tight.
You set the round count when creating the tournament, using the table. Then the bot keeps the pairing correct for the chosen number of rounds.
Everything people usually keep in a spreadsheet is already in the app: pairings, points, tie-breaks, round order. Free, with no subscriptions and no cap on the number of players.
many players, one evening: four or five rounds are enough
the fairest format for six to ten players
not a tournament, just an evening of chess - who is free and who is playing is visible in the app
The bot is constantly improved based on real tournaments. If you need a feature that isn't there yet, message the developers right inside the bot with the /support command. Many features appeared exactly because organizers asked for them, and useful ideas get added quickly.
Plans by size - 16, 20 and 30 players. The tie-break - tournament FAQ. General prep - how to organize a tournament.
At the board since childhood: hazy about his rating, precise about every rook he has blundered. Counts an evening as a good one if the opponent stayed to talk afterwards instead of rushing off to check with an engine. Message →
