VAR in chess

VAR, a video assistant referee, is used in football, hockey, tennis, and volleyball. And now in chess too!
FIDEJuly 3, 2023, FIDE announced the use of idChess VAR in tournaments to resolve controversial moments in the game
VAR helps arbiters

VAR helps arbiters

  • Track controversial moments
  • Make informed decisions
  • Make your tournaments technologically advanced and convenient

VAR: how it works

Controversial moment arises
A player asked the arbiter to record a rule violation, but the arbiter missed the moment of the violation. What decision should the arbiter make?
VAR replays and recommendations
If the arbiter missed the violation, he can watch this episode in the video recorded by VAR, as well as a recording of the moves
Decision making
Having reviewed the episode using VAR, the arbiter makes a final decision and resumes broadcasting the game
What you need to use idChess VAR

What you need to use idChess VAR

  • License for the idChess app
  • Smartphone
  • Smartphone tripod*
*A strong tripod long enough to fit not less than 70 cm that can be attached to the table

Do you want to use VAR?

Leave a request
phone

FOR ARBITERS:
how to use VAR in tournaments

Tap VAR Video Recording on the recording screen
Tap VAR Video Recording on the recording screen
Allow the app to access the camera and microphone (optional)
Allow the app to access the camera and microphone (optional)
Connect to the tournament and start broadcasting the game
Connect to the tournament and start broadcasting the game
In case of a controversy, tap Pause recording — Game video
In case of a controversy, tap Pause recording — Game video
Decide after watching the video or, if necessary, use the electronic recording of the game by tapping Pause recording — Show moves
Decide after watching the video or, if necessary, use the electronic recording of the game by tapping Pause recording — Show moves
After making a decision, close the video or electronic notation and continue recording
After making a decision, close the video or electronic notation and continue recording

Smartphone recommendation

Phones suitable for using VAR
  • Battery capacity: 4000 mAh or higher
  • RAM: 3 GB – 4 GB
  • Built-in memory: 32 – 64 GB
  • Camera: 10 megapixels or more
  • Processor: 8 cores or more
  • Android OS: 7 or higher
  • iOS OS: 13 or higher
Smartphone recommendation

Tournaments with VAR

Asian Championship among schoolchildren in Uzbekistan
Asian Championship among schoolchildren in Uzbekistan
West Asian Championship in Kyrgyzstan
West Asian Championship in Kyrgyzstan
U. Cholponbaev Memorial in Kyrgyzstan
U. Cholponbaev Memorial in Kyrgyzstan
PCU Tournaments
PCU Tournaments
International chess festival Issykkul Open 2023 in Kyrgyzstan
International chess festival Issykkul Open 2023 in Kyrgyzstan

FIDE on the implementation of VAR

On July 3, the International Chess Federation officially announced the use of idChess VAR in tournaments. Read here

The use of idChess for broadcasting games has been previously approved by FIDE.

FIDE on the implementation of VAR

Reviews

Arkady Dvorkovich
Arkady Dvorkovich
FIDE President
"This is the future. First of all, for live streaming and, in part, to fight cheating; what concerns illegal moves, i.e. everything related to the touch-move rule or the correct setting of pieces".
Mukhammad Isakov
Mukhammad Isakov
FIDE arbiter, Kyrgyzstan
"The implementation of VAR in chess tournaments helps arbiters make decisions faster based on facts. Both players and arbiters expect the sport to be fair and VAR only contributes to that. Even in the first tournament, there were many moments when arbiters used VAR recordings to watch the video and make a decision."
Zhohangir Kamalov
Zhohangir Kamalov
International arbiter, chief arbiter of Asian Schools Chess Championship 2023
“The system provided to us by the idChess team was installed at our tournament in several categories: under the age of 7, 9 and 11. It performed well: when there were many difficulties, especially in the category under the age of 7, we watched the video, if everything was confirmed, the game was continued, if not — we issued a warning. The idChess system provided precious assistance in resolving contentious issues, the system saved arbiters in many situations. I think we will use it in the future, as it is really very useful"
Fatih Abdukhalikov
Fatih Abdukhalikov
National arbiter, Uzbekistan
“This is very convenient, especially at children's tournaments: the human factor is minimized, you can immediately determine if someone is cheating. It is easier to resolve a dispute, children are less likely to disturb arbiters, therefore, they do not interrupt an opponent's process of thinking. In general, children behave differently if games are broadcast and VAR is working: they play more seriously and more honestly, a pure game of chess is developed”
Najmiddin Umarov
Najmiddin Umarov
FIDE national arbiter, Uzbekistan
“I am glad that in Uzbekistan we started using the idChess program, with the help of VAR we examined 25 cases of violations in only one round in the categories of boys under the age of 7 and 9! This facilitates the decision-making process, especially in blitz games”
Jamshed Vatanov
Jamshed Vatanov
National arbiter, Tajikistan
“VAR idChess makes the work of chess arbiters easier: recording games disciplines children during the game, children do not break the rules when they see that the camera is installed and recording is in progress. Also, broadcasting of games helps coaches to track the game of their students in real time, which is very convenient”

Use idChess VAR in your tournaments

In tournaments, VAR allows you to:
  • track controversial moments in the game
  • make informed decisions
  • make tournaments technologically advanced and convenient
tournament
Leave a request, the idChess team will contact you

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