Rules

These rules apply to all games played in the World Blind Sauna Chess Championship.

General format

The tournament consists of 8 players competing in a single-elimination bracket: 4 quarterfinal games, 2 semifinals and 1 final. Winners advance until a champion is determined.

Playing conditions

All games are played inside a sauna. Players must wear a blindfold throughout the entire game, remain seated in the sauna during play, and clearly announce their moves aloud. Players may resign at any time. Leaving the sauna during a game counts as resignation.

Blind chess procedure

Moves must be spoken clearly using standard chess notation and be understandable to both the opponent and the referee. If a move is unclear, the referee may ask the player to repeat it. Examples: “Knight f3”, “Queen takes d5”, “Castle kingside”.

Role of the referee

A referee is present for every game. The referee moves the pieces on the board, repeats the moves aloud, ensures moves are legal, operates the chess clock, and confirms check, checkmate and illegal moves. The referee’s decisions are final.

Time control

Each player has 10 minutes on the chess clock. The clock is handled exclusively by the referee. A player loses the game if their time runs out.

Illegal moves

If a player declares an illegal move, the referee informs them and the player must declare a new move. Two illegal moves in a row lose the game.

Winning a game

A game may be won by checkmate, opponent resignation, the opponent leaving the sauna, the opponent running out of time, or the opponent declaring two illegal moves in a row.

Fair play

Players must behave respectfully toward opponents, the referee, spectators and venue staff. Unsportsmanlike behavior may lead to disqualification at the referee’s discretion.

Breaks between rounds

There is a 10-minute break between rounds. Players may leave the sauna during breaks and may enter the cold plunge to cool down.

Final authority

The organizers reserve the right to make decisions regarding situations not explicitly covered by these rules. All organizer decisions are final.