Tournoi Facile

Organise a chess tournament: Swiss or round robin?

A chess tournament is not scheduled like a football group. The format determines when opponents are known. TournoiFacile has a dedicated console for rounds, colours, results and tie-breaks.

The TournoiFacile team · Updated on

A wooden chessboard with pieces in their starting positions
Photo : Wilfredor / CC0 · Image resized; otherwise unchanged.
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Round robin: everyone plays everyone

This suits a small field when you want to know all encounters in advance. With eight players and one game against each opponent, everyone plays seven times: 28 games across seven rounds. A double round robin would double that workload.

Swiss: move forward one round at a time

A Swiss event allows a chosen number of rounds without every player facing everyone else. Previous results inform later pairings. Validate the current round before preparing the next; future opponents cannot all be honestly announced at registration.

Set the time control and tie-breaks

Prepare sections, players and time controls. Announce tie-break criteria before round one and check the matching console settings. Allow for late-finishing games, recording and checking results, and preparing the next pairings.

Check before publishing

Review each player’s board and colour before publishing a round. Enter wins, draws and supported decisions, then check standings. The public page and pairing and standings exports give participants a common source of information.

A worked example

Eight players in a single round robin

Every player faces each of the other seven once, with no return games.

Eight players in a single round robin
Rounds7
Games per round4
Total8 × 7 ÷ 2 = 28 games

An odd field gives one player a bye each round. In a Swiss event, actual game counts also depend on byes and withdrawals.

Step by step in TournoiFacile

  1. Create a chess tournament

    Select Chess, then Swiss or round robin and the time control. The event opens in a dedicated console for players, pairings, rounds and tie-breaks.

  2. Check the players

    Enter participants and verify their starting information. Prepare separate sections if you divide the field. Check the standings settings before round one.

  3. Publish pairings

    In a Swiss event, prepare the next round after recording the previous round’s results. In a round robin, opponents can be known in advance. Check boards and colours before publishing.

  4. Record results

    Enter wins, draws and other supported results. Check standings and tie-breaks, then share the public page or export pairings and standings.

Practical questions

Can all Swiss rounds be generated in advance?

No. The next round depends on recorded results. Round robin is the format that allows opponents to be known beforehand.

Does the console replace FIDE formalities?

No. It helps organise the event; check rating, approval and reporting requirements with the relevant authorities.

These guides describe the workflows available in TournoiFacile. The figures are planning examples, not guaranteed running times. For a sanctioned competition, check the rules and requirements with your governing body.

Make it your tournament

Choose your sport, build the structure and check the outcome before sharing the public link.

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