Section 15 - Forfeits and Set Games

A.     A game can be designated as a forfeit when the game is not played, and blame for this can be clearly established on the one of the players. The "offending" player is that player who bears a higher level of blame, the "offended" player is the player who is either blameless in the matter or has a lower level of blame.
   i.      Blame can be clearly established when:
      a.     Both players agree on a time to play, but at the time scheduled, only the offended player is present. After a 15-minute grace period, the offending player can be charged with a forfeit loss.  ¶ SC 22-23
      b.     The offending player posts no messages at the Game Forum by the Contact or Forfeit Deadline. The offended player may send a request for a forfeit to the Game Forum. ¶ SC 18-19.
      c.     The offending player fails to agree to a playing time offered by the offended player when the offending player is required to do so. ¶ SC 11-12.
      d.     The offending player refuses to play their designated opponent, regardless of the reason.
   ii.      Two occurrences of partially established blame by one player in regards to one game shall constitute clearly established blame. Blame can be partially established when:
      a.      One player fails to meet the 48 hour First Contact deadline established in Section 10(A), but makes contact within the next 24 hours agreeing to one of the three times the offended player has set in their original message. Both players shall continue communicating to establish an agreeable playing time. ¶ SC 11-12.
      b.     During the continuing communications, the offending player fails repeatedly to reply in a timely manner as determined by the Tournament Director. Both players shall continue communicating to establish an agreeable playing time.
      c.      The offending player sends a message less than 24 hours before the agreed playing time requesting a change of that time. The offended player may make comment to their Team Captain immediately, or wait to see if a second event of partially established blame occurs, thus clearly establishing blame. The Team Captain shall promptly forward these comments to the Tournament Director . Both players shall begin the scheduling process again to find a new agreeable playing time.
   iii.      In cases of partially established blame, both players are required to schedule their game in accordance with Section 10. In cases of clearly established blame, the offended player may either request on the forfeit, or play the game.
      a.      The results of the game shall overrule any forfeit requested or granted, so long as the game was completed prior to the Game Completion Deadline. (except as provided in 15.A.i.a) ¶ SC 19-20.
      b.     The offended player will set the playing time not necessarily in agreement with the offending player.
   iv.      A double forfeit may be issued if blame can be clearly established for both players.
   v.      Players and Team Captain can only request that a forfeit be granted. The Tournament Director is the sole person who can grant forfeit requests. The Tournament Director may grant a forfeit even if it is not requested, if the requirements of this section are satisfied.
   vi.      The offending player may submit to the Game Forum an excuse to be reviewed by the Tournament Director for the occurrence that constituted a partially established blame or clearly established blame. If the excuse is deemed valid by the Tournament Director, then the blame shall not be established.
   vii.      Notwithstanding subsection (A)(iii)(a) of this section, all forfeits are official and final at either the Game Completion Deadline of the round following the round the game was to be played or the Game Completion Deadline of the final round of the tournament, whichever is sooner.

B.      "Set Game" is used to designate some result to a game not played where both players are blameless. This is used in all situations where the provisions of subsection (A) of this section do not apply.
   i.      "Set Game" can be used to award one player a game point and the other none. This can be used in situations where an offending player has given the proper valid excuse for their offense and there isn't enough time to schedule and play the game, and still maintain the orderly flow of the tournament as a whole. This can also be used if Section 16(B)(ii) applies to a withdrawing player if a pairing is outstanding at that time.
   ii.      "Set Game" can also be used to award both players one half game point each, the so called "GM Draw". This can be used in situations where the players are unable to agree a playing time through no fault of either player or when both players have equal partially established blame. If both players have clearly established blame, then the provisions of subsection (A)(iv) of this section are used to grant a double forfeit.
   iii.      All "set games" are official and final at either the Game Completion Deadline of the round following the round the game was to be played or the Game Completion Deadline of the final round of the tournament, whichever is sooner.

C.

      The difference between a forfeit and "set game" is primarily that of punitive actions detailed in Section 17.