Official Rules for 1v1 Ladder Tournament

1. An initial list of players will be created and ranked based on reverse order of their vdiplomacy points. (in order to require top players to move up rather than simply be at the top)

2. New players that arrive after the start of the tournament automatically are placed last. Players may join at any time. Just add your name and challenge someone.

3. If the list of players is between 2 and 20 players, any player may challenge anyone else on the ladder that is ranked no more than 2 higher or lower than them. If the list is 21 to 30, any player may challenge anyone 3 higher or lower. If the list is 31 to 40, any player may challenge anyone 4 higher or lower, etc. However, you cannot challenge the same person twice in a row, if either player won both games. This is regardless of who initiated the first challenge. You cannot challenge or be challenged by someone who is currently in a challenge match. Players may only be in one challenge match at a time.

4. A challenge is made by a player posting the current ladder ranking, and stating who they are challenging. The challenger may indicate a map that they would like to challenge them on, or indicate that the player being challenged may choose the map. A PM must also be sent to the person who is being challenged. Only one challenge may be made or accepted at a time.

5. Standard victory conditions for the map are assumed, unless both players agree to alternate victory conditions. The victor should post the revised rankings after challenge match is complete.

6. Time limits may not exceed 3 days per turn, but both players may elect shorter time frames by mutual agreement. If there is no agreement, the time limits will be 36 hours per turn. The player being challenged has the right to know the time limit before deciding to accept or refuse a challenge. (But will still be penalized as indicated below for refusing a challenge) Both sides of the challenge should be started simultaneously.

7. A player MAY refuse a challenge with no penalty to either player, if:
a. the challenger picks the map
b. if they are currently in a challenge match
c. or have finished a challenge match where they were challenged (not the challenger) within the past 7 days.
Both players are free to make another challenge, even to each other.

8. However, a player may NOT refuse a challenge where the person being challenged is allowed to choose the map. (Unless 7a, 7b, or 7c apply. See above.) If they do refuse, the penalty is that they are removed from the list. If they desire to return to the tournament, they must re-enter at the bottom of the list. All remaining players move up.

9. The player who was challenged must respond to within 2 weeks or it will be considered a refused challenge. Penalties will apply as if they responded by refusing the challenge.

10. All challenges will be played twice, with each player taking the opposite side.

11. If the lower ranked player has more wins (2-0 or 1-draw), they switch positions in the ranking. They may not play each other until at least one has played another player.

12. If the higher ranked player has more wins (2-0 or 1-draw), there is no change to the ranking. They may not play each other until at least one has played another player.

13. If the challenge ends in a tie (1-1 or draw-draw), there is no change to the ranking, and either player may challenge the other immediately.

14. There is no end to the tournament. However, on December 1st, and each annual anniversary, the top ranked player, may claim the title for that year. Challenges initiated and accepted, but not yet finished may be completed.

15. All disputes will moderated by Devonian or his successor(s), as designated by him. All decision by the moderator will be final. Should amendments to the rules be necessary, they may only be proposed by the Moderator, and must be approved by 2/3rds of the participants at the time of the vote.


Recordkeeping:
Per Rule #4, post your challenges to this thread.
Per Rule #5. Post the results of the challenge matches to this thread.Per Rule #2,anyone interested in joining once the tournament starts, should copy all previous participants, add their name to the bottom, and post it to this thread.