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

How it works

VAR

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?

Decision
making

Having reviewed the episode using VAR, the arbiter makes a final decision and resumes broadcasting the game

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

What you need to use
idChess VAR

Tournament broadcasts available to everyone

Phone

Any phone with required characteristics
is suitable

64 GB or more
Built-in
memory
4 GB or more
RAM
Android 7+
Android version
iOS 12+
iOS version

idChess subscription

Subscription allows you to
organize tournaments,
analyze games and much more

Go to Store

Tripod

You can use any tripod or
buy it from us. We offer a great
tripod set with a subscription

Go to Store

Do you want to use VAR?

Leave a request

How to use VAR
in tournaments

For arbiters

Tap VAR Video Recording
on the recording screen

Allow
access to
camera and
microphone

Connect to the tournament
and start broadcasting
the game

In a controversial situation,
click on Pause the recording
then Game replay

Make a decision after watching the game replay

After making a
decision,
close the video
or electronic
notation and
continue
recording

Which phone can I use?

Recommendations for phones
to use VAR

4000 mAh or higher
Battery capacity
4 GB or more
RAM
10 megapixels or more
Camera
64 GB or more
Built-in memory
8 cores or more
Processor
7 or higher
Android OS
12 or higher
iOS OS

Tournaments with VAR

Tournaments with idChess are held in Azerbaijan

Games with broadcast and VAR idChess were held in Iraq

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.

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

Reviews

Read what other users think of us

All reviews

"idChess breaks new ground in chess technology! The app's efficiency delivers a fresh experience. VAR was put to the test in local tournaments, proving its value in enhancing fair play".

Abdullah Albaiz

Pawntakes Chess Club, Saudi Arabia

"idChess has left a strong impression during our testing sessions! The VAR feature brings an additional dimension of fairness, significantly elevating the learning experience for the players. I highly recommend it!"

Doctor Chess

Youtuber, Chess influencer, Egypt

"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".

Arkady Dvorkovich

FIDE President

“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"

Zhohangir Kamalov

International arbiter, chief arbiter of Asian Schools Chess Championship 2023

"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."

Mukhammad Isakov

FIDE arbiter, Kyrgyzstan

"We had an exceptional experience using idChess to record games in our chess academy and broadcast chess tournaments organized by SmilingPawn.org. The application's sleek and user-friendly interface not only ensured easy adoption by chess arbiters but also elevated the overall experience for players. The inclusion of the VAR feature for fair play significantly contributed to the success of our chess tournaments".

Goran Radic

President, SmilingPawn.org, Croatia

"Impressed with idChess in our training sessions! VAR feature adds a new level of fairness, enhancing the learning experience for our players. Highly recommended!"

Mussallam Al Wadhahi

Member in Oman Chess Federation

"idChess added great value. The VAR feature ensures fair play, creating a dynamic and enriching environment for our chess enthusiasts. Thumbs up!"

Habib Khalil

Vice President of Lebanese Chess Federation

"Used idChess and VAR in big tournaments – the VAR feature is a game-changer! Enhanced the integrity of matches and fair playing in the Coahuila State Open Chess Championship and the COLAM Cup. A must-have for chess events!"

Eduardo Aguilar

Mexican Arbiter, Academy Construajedrez

"Impressed after using idChess in my academy, very useful for analysis games in training sessions! The VAR was tested and used in friendly tournament and it's so efficient for avoiding cheating and helping arbiters".

Ebrahim Bodnani

Owner of Laayoune City Chess Club, Morocco