VAR in chess

VAR, a video assistant referee, is used in football, hockey, tennis, and volleyball. And now in chess too!

July 3, 2023, FIDE announced the use of idChess VAR in tournaments to resolve controversial moments in the game

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

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

FOR ARBITERS:
how to use VAR in tournaments

Tap VAR Video Recording on the recording screen

Allow the app to access the camera and microphone (optional)

Connect to the tournament and start broadcasting the game

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

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

Tournaments with VAR

Asian Championship among schoolchildren in Uzbekistan

West Asian Championship in Kyrgyzstan

U. Cholponbaev Memorial in Kyrgyzstan

PCU Tournaments

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.

Reviews

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

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

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

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

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

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”