日本語
EnglishWe are pleased to announce that the 6th NA Seminar will be held as follows. We look forward to receiving your applications. For an overview of the NA system, please refer to the following page:
Establishment of the National Arbiter System
Overview
Purpose
This seminar is intended to provide participants with the knowledge and judgment necessary to perform arbiter duties appropriately at chess tournaments in Japan.
Participants will develop an understanding of the FIDE Laws of Chess and other competition regulations, as well as pairing systems, ratings, tie-breaks, anti-cheating, and related topics. The seminar also aims to develop arbiters who can make fair and appropriate decisions in various situations that may arise during tournaments and clearly explain and communicate those decisions to players and tournament staff.
Date and Time:
– Seminar: December 13 (Sun), 2026, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (planned)
– Exam: December 20 (Sun), 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Venue: Online (via Zoom)
Eligibility: Participants must meet all of the following conditions:
– At least 16 years old
– Proficient in Japanese communication with reading, writing, and communicating in Japanese
– Annual member of the Japan Chess Federation (Join here)
– Holder of a FIDE ID with Japanese chess nationality (For those without a FIDE ID, it will be issued after passing the exam.)
– Knowledge of basic chess rules and notation
Fee: 10,000 yen (7,000 yen for registered club leaders and vice leaders)
Instructor: FIDE Arbiter Hiratsuka Yoshihiro (7006675)
Language: Japanese
How to Apply
Application Method: Purchase a ticket on [Peatix] during the application period (Capacity: 30 people)
Application Period: From 12:00 AM on October 26 (Mon), 2026, to 11:59 PM on December 5 (Sat), 2026
Seminar Contents
- Role of the Arbiter
- Laws of Chess
- Competition Rules
- Rapid Rules
- Application of Adjournment (Sealed Moves)
- Sudden Death Rules
- Anti-Cheating
- Pairing System
- Rating System
- Tie-Breaks
- Arbiter Title
- Fair Play
NA Qualification Requirements
Participants must score 80 points or higher (out of 100) on the exam after attending the seminar.
Language of Exam Answers
The exam will be conducted in Japanese, and all answers must be written in Japanese.
The NA qualification is intended for arbiters who will perform arbiter duties at tournaments in Japan. Arbiters are therefore expected to be able to understand competition regulations in Japanese and to perform their duties in Japanese, including explaining their decisions and the reasons for those decisions to players and tournament staff.
Accordingly, answers written in languages other than Japanese will not be graded.
However, English may be used for the names or article references of the FIDE Laws of Chess, chess terminology, proper nouns, chess notation, and similar expressions.
Details regarding the exam format, permitted reference materials, and other examination instructions will be provided separately to participants.
Refresh Seminar Information (For NA Qualification Holders)
If more than two years have passed since obtaining the NA qualification, and you meet any of the following conditions:
– Have not performed arbiter duties at a tournament organized by the federation or a registered club within the last two years
– Have become a non-member of the federation
you will be given “Inactive” status.
“Active” status is required to serve as Chief Arbiter in certain national tournaments and FIDE-rated tournaments.
Inactive arbiters can regain “Active” status by attending an NA seminar to update their knowledge. This is called a Refresh Seminar.
You do not need to take the exam to reactivate your status. Although you may take the exam, it will not be graded.
Eligibility: Must be an annual member of the Japan Chess Federation and hold an arbiter qualification of NA or higher (chess nationality is not required)
Fee: 5,000 yen (3,500 yen for registered club leaders and vice leaders)
Capacity: No limit
How to Apply: Purchase a corresponding ticket on the aforementioned Peatix page.