No Show Policy

Be ready to play. Keep your match moving.

When the policy applies, what happens if a player is absent, and how to avoid forfeiting your match.

Last updated: 11 October 2026

What it is

What is the No Show Policy?

The No Show Policy keeps matches moving when a player does not arrive or is not ready to play. It gives players an attendance window before a match can be awarded by forfeiture.
Being on the game page is not enough: click Ready to confirm you are ready to play. Once both players are ready, the game starts immediately.
This page currently sets out the policy for head-to-head matches where no-show enforcement is enabled. Other tournament formats are listed below so you can see which rules apply.

Why we have it

Players set aside time to compete. When someone doesn’t show up, their opponent is left waiting and the tournament can be delayed.
This policy gives players a reasonable time to get ready, rewards opponents who are ready to play, and allows matches to reach a result without an indefinite wait.

Timing

For covered head-to-head matches, each game has a 15-minute attendance window from when it is created and becomes available. This applies to the first game and to each new game in a series.
The Ready overlay shows the time from which you or your opponent may forfeit. It uses your device’s local time. For example, a game created at 16:00 becomes eligible for a no-show check from 16:15.
Checks run periodically after the window has passed. The displayed time is not a promise that forfeiture will happen at that exact moment. Readiness is assessed when the check runs, so click Ready promptly rather than relying on extra time.
Once play starts, the game’s grace period and chess clocks apply. This attendance window does not replace them.

Format rules · covered matches

Only one player ready: the ready player wins the entire match by no-show forfeiture.
Neither player ready: the match ends as a no-show draw. Both players ready: neither receives a no-show forfeiture.
The result applies even if one player was leading the series. Winning earlier games does not protect you from forfeiting the match if you are not ready for a later game.
The waiting game is cancelled and the head-to-head match and tournament end. Earlier games stay in the history; they are not rewritten as forfeits.

Format rules · not yet covered

The automated no-show policy described on this page is not yet enabled for league matches.
League-specific rules for no-show points, repeated absences and tournament removal will be published before this policy is extended to league play. The head-to-head draw rule should not be assumed to apply.
Continue to follow your tournament’s schedule and published rules, and contact support if an opponent is absent.

Format rules · not yet covered

The automated no-show policy described on this page is not yet enabled for knockout matches, including the knockout stage of a hybrid tournament.
Rules for advancement, both players being absent and final-round outcomes will be published before this policy is extended to knockout play. Do not assume that a head-to-head no-show draw applies to a knockout round.

Format rules · not yet covered

The league stage of a hybrid knockout tournament is not yet covered by this automated policy.
Several initial fixtures can exist at the same time while a player is still playing another match. A fixture’s creation time alone therefore does not establish a no-show deadline in this stage.
Attendance timing, points and removal rules for this stage are still being finalised. We will publish them before enabling enforcement. Keep playing your tournament and contact support if you need help with an absent opponent.

Stay ready

Open your next game and click Ready within its attendance window. After a game ends, check for the next game in your match and ready up again.
Enable notifications. We send match notifications and opponent-ready notifications to help you know when to return. Delivery depends on your notification settings and device permissions, so also check your matches directly.
Closing the page does not undo an accepted Ready status. Once both players are ready, play can begin while you are away, so return promptly when notified.
Switching back to Not ready does not reset the attendance window. The status recorded when the check runs determines the result.
If you have notification problems or questions about this policy, contact us. Include your game or match link when asking about a specific result.

Know the outcome

You can lose the whole match, not just the waiting game. A previous lead does not override a no-show forfeiture.
The cancelled game has no played chess result. The match page shows the forfeiture outcome separately from the score of completed games.
Prizes and applicable fees follow the tournament’s published prize and fee rules, using the match’s win or draw result. Review those details before joining.
Returning after a forfeiture does not automatically reopen the match. If you believe the result is incorrect, contact support with the match link so we can review it.

15 minutes after game creation: For covered H2H games, click Ready within 15 minutes of each game being created and available. Checks may act from that time onward.
One ready / neither ready: One ready: that player wins the match. Neither ready: the H2H match is a no-show draw.
Every game in the series: A new game has a new attendance window. Your current match score does not protect you from forfeiture.
Check your notifications: Enable match and opponent-ready notifications, and check your next game directly.

League, knockout and hybrid league-stage enforcement is not yet covered by this policy.