Scheveningen system

A group format in which every member of one group plays every member of the opposing group.

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Explanation

In the Scheveningen system, participants are divided into two groups, A and B. Every player in group A plays every player in group B, while players within the same group do not need to play one another.

With five players in each group, each participant plays five games and the event contains 25 games in total. Scores may be used for a team comparison or for individual results, depending on the regulations. The structure resembles two halves of a facing each other, but it is not a full round-robin because games within each group are missing.

The name describes a pairing pattern, not an opening. The FIDE Qualification Commission restricts Scheveningen-format events for title norms and for some rating purposes. A title norm is a qualifying tournament performance toward certain FIDE titles, while a rating is a numerical measure of playing strength. Organizers seeking FIDE recognition must consult the current rules.

Common confusions

Scheveningen Variation of the Sicilian Defense

That is a family of opening positions. This entry concerns a tournament format in which two groups play across each other; they share a name, not a function.

Sources

  1. 1.FIDE Qualification FAQ Introductions, FIDE Qualification Commission
  2. 2.Kazakhstan vs the World: best female players will face off, International Chess Federation (FIDE)
  3. 3.Formats to be used in title tournaments, FIDE Qualification Commission

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