Fair Play & Tournament Code

Purpose

The Fair Play & Tournament Code establishes ethical standards for participation in all games, competitions, rankings, and tournaments hosted by Biciid Center, including traditional games such as Shax, Shantarad, Leelagoobaley, and others.

These rules ensure:

• Integrity
• Respect
• Equal opportunity
• Cultural dignity
• Competitive fairness

Participation in any Biciid Center game or tournament constitutes acceptance of this Code.

Core Principles of Fair Play

• Respect — Players must respect opponents, organizers, moderators, and spectators.
• Integrity — Players must compete honestly without deception.
• Sportsmanship — Winning and losing must be handled with dignity.
• Cultural Responsibility — Traditional games are part of Somali intellectual heritage and must be treated with respect.
• Equality — All players compete under the same rules and conditions.

Player Conduct

Players must:

• Compete honestly
• Follow game rules
• Respect time controls
• Avoid abusive language in chat
• Accept referee or moderator decisions

Players must not:

• Harass or insult opponents
• Use discriminatory or clan-based remarks
• Attempt to distract or intimidate others
• Disrupt tournament operations

Anti-Cheating Policy

Cheating is strictly prohibited. Examples of cheating include:

• Using external assistance during live matches
• Using AI tools to calculate moves in ranked games
• Exploiting system bugs
• Manipulating match results
• Colluding with other players
• Creating multiple accounts to boost rankings
• Intentionally disconnecting to avoid loss

Biciid Center may:

• Review match logs
• Analyze move patterns
• Investigate suspicious behavior
• Reset rankings
• Disqualify participants

AI Use in Competitive Play

Unless explicitly allowed, AI assistance is prohibited during ranked or tournament matches.

Players may:

• Use AI for learning or training outside official matches
• Participate in designated "AI Challenge" modes

Using AI in unauthorized contexts is considered serious misconduct.

Disconnect & Technical Conduct

Players must maintain a stable internet connection during official matches. Intentional disconnects to avoid defeat are prohibited.

If a player disconnects:

• Reconnection windows apply according to platform rules
• Failure to return within the allotted time may result in forfeiture

Repeated suspicious disconnections may trigger investigation.

Tournament Rules

For official tournaments:

• Tournament format (knockout, round-robin, Swiss, etc.) will be announced in advance
• Time controls are binding
• Pairings are final once published
• Appeals must follow official procedure

Players must arrive on time for scheduled matches. Late arrival may result in automatic forfeiture.

Referee & Moderator Authority

Tournament referees and moderators have authority to:

• Enforce rules
• Issue warnings
• Assign penalties
• Disqualify participants
• Interpret ambiguous situations

Their decisions are binding, subject to formal appeal.

Penalty Framework

Severity depends on intent, impact, and repetition.

Appeals Process

Players may appeal decisions within 48 hours of enforcement.

Appeals must:

• Be respectful
• Provide clear reasoning
• Include relevant evidence

Appeals are reviewed by senior moderation staff. Frivolous or abusive appeals may result in additional penalties.

Spectator & Chat Conduct

Spectators must:

• Avoid giving live strategic advice
• Avoid harassment
• Avoid disruptive behavior

Chat moderation applies during live matches and streams.

Cultural Integrity of Traditional Games

Traditional games hosted by Biciid Center represent intellectual heritage. Players must:

• Respect traditional terminology
• Avoid mockery of cultural practices
• Promote learning and preservation

Unsportsmanlike behavior damages not only competition but heritage.

Prize & Recognition Policy

Tournament rewards may include:

• Rankings
• Titles
• Certificates
• Recognition
• Prizes (if applicable)

Fraudulent participation invalidates eligibility. Biciid Center reserves the right to revoke titles or prizes obtained through misconduct.

Ethical Commitment

Competitive play must:

• Promote excellence
• Encourage strategic thinking
• Strengthen cultural identity
• Inspire youth participation

Competition is not merely about victory — it is about integrity.

Amendments

Biciid Center may update this Code as tournaments and digital infrastructure evolve. Continued participation constitutes acceptance of updates.