Circuit Points System

How circuit points are calculated for the Keshmat Chess Circuit 2026

Total Points Formula

TotalPoints = PlacementPoints + PerformanceBonus + ParticipationPoints

Placement
Based on final standing
+ Performance
Bonus for outperforming seed
+ Participation
Bonus for completing all rounds

Eligibility Requirement

To receive circuit points, a player must complete at least 50% of the tournament rounds.

Players who forfeit more than half of their games will receive 0 circuit points. This rule ensures that only active participants are rewarded.

Example: In a 7-round event, you must play at least 4 rounds to be eligible for points.

Placement Points

Placement points are based on your final standing in the tournament. Different event types have different point scales.

Group A Classical Round Robin (6 players)

PlacePoints
1st125
2nd103
3rd85
4th70
5th55
6th43

Group B Classical Round Robin (6 players)

PlacePoints
1st110
2nd90
3rd75
4th62
5th48
6th37

Group C Open Classical Swiss (Percentile Bands)

For open events, points are based on percentile standing. Cutoff = ceil(percent x N).

Standing BandPoints
Top 1%100
Top 3%90
Top 5%82
Top 10%72
Top 20%62
Top 33%52
Top 50%44
Rest22

Rapid Open Rapid (Percentile Bands)

Same percentile cutoff system as Group C, with lower point values.

Standing BandPoints
Top 1%70
Top 3%63
Top 5%57
Top 10%50
Top 20%43
Top 33%36
Top 50%31
Rest15

Performance Bonus (Improvement Bonus)

Earn bonus points for finishing higher than your seed (starting rank based on rating).

RawBonus = 2 x max(0, SeedRank - FinalRank)

In simple terms: You get +2 points for each position you climbed from your seed rank, subject to caps.

Rapid Group C Open Events

PerformanceBonus = min( RawBonus, 25, floor(0.5 x PlacementPoints) )

  • Bonus is capped at 25 points
  • Bonus can never exceed 50% of your placement points

This ensures the bonus rewards improvement without overtaking top placement finishers.

Group A Group B Round Robin Events

PerformanceBonus = min( RawBonus, 20 )

Simple fixed cap of 20 points (no 50% placement cap needed for small 6-player RRs).

Example (Rapid)
Seeded 22nd, finished 13th with 31 placement points. RawBonus = 2 x 9 = 18. But 50% of 31 = 15. So bonus = min(18, 25, 15) = 15 points
Note: If you finish at or below your seed rank, the performance bonus is 0.

Participation Points

Bonus points awarded for completing all rounds of the tournament without forfeits.

+5 points for all events (Group A, B, C, and Rapid)

If you miss any round (forfeit), you receive 0 participation points.

Circuit Championship

The Circuit Champion is determined by total points accumulated across all events throughout the season.

Players earn circuit points from every tournament they participate in (Rapid, Group C, Group B, and Group A). The top point earners at the end of the season win the circuit awards and championship trophy.

Circuit Events

Rapid Open Rapid

  • 7-round Swiss
  • Open entry
  • Top 2 qualify for Group A

Group C Open Classical

  • 5-round Swiss
  • Open entry
  • Winner qualifies for Group B

Group B Classical Round Robin

  • 6 players, 5-round RR
  • Qualified/selected players
  • Winner qualifies for Group A

Group A Classical Round Robin

  • 6 players, 5-round RR
  • Qualified/selected players