Tata Steel Masters Playing Schedule

All rounds in Wijk aan Zee start at 13.30 hrs except for the last round which starts at 12.00 hrs. The Chess on Tour round (round 5 in Alkmaar and round 10 in Leiden) start at 14.00 hrs.

Rate of play Masters and Challengers

100 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 50 minutes for 20 moves, then 15 minutes for the remaining moves with 30 seconds cumulative increment for each move starting from the first move.

Tiebreak Rules - Tata Steel Masters

In case two players share first place in the Masters (if more players share first prize, the first two players will be selected according to the criteria as stated below), they will play a tie-break after the last round, on Sunday 27. January 2019. The time control for two Blitz games is 5 min + 3 sec and possible Armageddon in the third game (White has 5 minutes and Black 4 minutes, + 3 sec increment as of move 60). Drawing of lots will be provided by the Chief Arbiter. A tie-break will start at 18.00 hours sharp. During the tie-break only a selected number of press photographers and camera crews will be allowed in the playing area.

If other games are still in progress then, they will be moved to the “Amateur section” close to the Masters and Challengers groups, where they will be continued. The Chief Arbiter will decide when these games will be moved and players are expected to abide by this decision.

Tiebreak criteria for play-off

1. the mutual result
2. the Sonneborn-Berger score
3. the player with more number of games with black
4. drawing of lots