Technical Arbiter Training

♟️ Technical Arbiter Training Program – Full Syllabus

Chess Victoria is launching a Technical Arbiter Training Program to develop practical, hands-on skills required to run modern ACF and FIDE-rated tournaments.

 

🎯 Program Overview

With increasing tournament size and complexity, arbiters and organisers are expected to be proficient in:

• Vega pairing software
• DGT board operations
• Rating file management
• Live results and broadcasting

This program is designed to build technical capability, improve tournament standards, and reduce reliance on a small pool of experts.

 

📚 Training Syllabus

🔹 Vega & Tournament Management I & II (Instructor: IA Dr Peter Tsai)- select only 1

Tournament Setup

• Creating tournaments in Vega
• Managing players with multiple ratings (ACF Classical / Quick / Blitz / FIDE)
• Importing rating files and handling provisional ratings

Pairings & Control

• Automatic and manual pairings
• Handling late entries and latecomers
• Managing byes and withdrawals
• Special pairing scenarios

Tournament Operations

• Prize configuration (rating groups, age prizes, upset prizes)
• Printing pairings and results
• Managing changes after registration closure

Efficiency & Best Practice

• Time-saving workflows
• Common errors and how to avoid them
• Real tournament case scenarios

 

🔹 Advanced Vega & DGT Training (IA Walter Wolffs)

Module 1 – DGT Boards & Troubleshooting (1.5 hours)

• Physical setup and cabling
• Board configuration
• Common issues and troubleshooting
• Real-time problem solving

Module 2 – DGT Integration & Broadcasting (1 hour)

• Live game broadcasting setup
• Broadcast delay and fair-play considerations
• Integration with online platforms

Module 3 – Online Results & Publishing (1 hour)

• Uploading pairings and results
• FTP and Vega online tools
• QR-code pairing systems
• Publishing to ChessChat and other platforms

 

🧪 Practical Assessment

Participants will complete a 1-hour practical assessment, covering:

• Tournament setup in Vega
• Importing ratings
• Managing pairings, byes, and entries
• Publishing results

✅ Successful participants will receive a Chess Victoria Technical Arbiter Certificate

 

📅 Training Sessions

Vega & Tournament Management II

📍 Ballarat (Anglers Hall, 114C Wendouree Parade, Ballarat on the corner of Devon Street)

📅 Saturday, 9 May 2026

⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Vega & Tournament Management I

📍 Glen Waverley Secondary College

📅 Saturday, 30 May 2026

⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Advanced Vega + DGT Training

📍 Melbourne Chess Club

📅 Sunday, 16 August 2026

⏰ 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM

 

💰 Fee

$25 per participant

 

👥 Who Should Attend?

• Arbiters (NA, FA, IA)
• Aspiring arbiters
• Tournament organisers
• Club officials and volunteers

 

📌 Key Notes

• Hands-on practical training (bring your laptop recommended)
• Limited to ~10–15 participants per session
• Strong demand — early registration encouraged

 

👥 Questions?

• Email: IA Casey Goh major_tournaments@hobsonsbaychess.com