Match

A match is a contest between the same two players made up of one or more games and governed by a rule that determines an overall result. In a multi-game match, the points from all games are accumulated and the colors are normally alternated.

The regulations may set an exact number of games, require one player to reach a target score first, or combine both ideas. They must also say what happens if the score is tied, such as declaring a draw or using tie-break games. Knowing that an event is a match therefore does not by itself tell you its length.

The term is common inside a knockout tournament, where each round can be decided by a match. A mini-match is simply an especially short match. A team match, by contrast, pits teams against each other across several boards.