Chess round robins rank players by points over a full field of games — typically 1 for a win, ½ for a draw, 0 for a loss. The Berger table (round-robin pairing system) rotates pairings so no player repeats an opponent and colour balance stays as even as possible.
Berger table basics
One player is fixed on board 1; others rotate each round. After n−1 rounds (even player count) or n rounds (odd count with BYE), every pair has met exactly once.
Arbiters publish board numbers, pairings, and colour assignment (White/Black) before each round. Players should not swap boards without the arbiter.
Common field sizes
| Players | Games | Rounds | Games per player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 15 | 5 | 5 |
| 8 | 28 | 7 | 7 |
| 10 | 45 | 9 | 9 |
| 12 | 66 | 11 | 11 |
Colour balance
With an even number of rounds, most players get equal White and Black games. With odd player counts, colour difference of one is normal.
If two players tie on points, direct encounter and Sonneborn–Berger are common tie-breakers — define them before round one.
Time control and pacing
- Estimate total playing hall hours: rounds × (time control + 10 min buffer)
- Stagger round starts if you have limited boards
- Use digital pairings + QR link so players check opponents on phones
- Export CSV for federation reporting if required
Running the event
Enter results after each round so live standings update. Late players forfeit that round per your published rules. At the end, export final standings with tie-break columns for prizes and rating reports.
FAQ
Round robin vs Swiss — which for a weekend?
Up to 10–12 players, round robin is manageable. Larger fields use Swiss because round robin game count grows quickly.
Can players draw agreements affect tie-breaks?
Yes — high draw rates push tie-breakers to Sonneborn–Berger or performance rating. State tie-break order on the entry form.
Does the generator handle colour labels?
Yes. Pairings include board and colour indicators; export for print or arbiter software.