EGC 2026 – Official Rules
1. Conditional Permission for Electronic Devices
1.1. Allowed devices and scope:
During tournaments where electronic device usage is permitted, players may use:
mobile phones or tablets only for recording the game (kifu recording), and
silent headphones only for listening to music.
Players are allowed to take a photograph of the board and table only after both players have passed and agreed to move to the counting phase.
Any other usage of electronic devices, including but not limited to visual communication (video), messaging, internet browsing, analysis tools, or AI assistance, is strictly prohibited. Doctors and other emergency personnel who may be expected to be available must disclose their status to the referees and their opponent before the match begins. The aforementioned people may answer emergency calls outside of the tournament hall.
Kifu recording is to be done as addressed in Section 3.2.5 of the EGF General Tournament Rules. A player must make the move before recording and the opponent must be able to see the medium at all times.
1.2. Device configuration
All devices must be kept in silent mode or Do Not Disturb mode or an equivalent mode throughout the game. The aim is to make sure the device does not distract the players.
Screens must remain off when not actively used for kifu recording.
No content other than a kifu application may be displayed on the device at any time.
All devices must be kept on the table with their screen facing up and viewable by the opponent until the match or round is over.
Any disturbing, distracting, or attention-seeking behaviour connected with device usage is forbidden.
1.3. Forbidden activities
It is strictly prohibited to:
perform audio or video calls,
display any external content,
communicate with others through the device,
use the device for any kind of strategic assistance,
leave the play area with the device during a game (Doctors and emergency personnel are exempt from this restriction if responding to an emergency call).
Violation may result in forfeit of the game, and, when deemed necessary, expulsion from following rounds or from the entire congress.
2. Tournament-specific application
2.1. European Championship (Top 32)
Use of any electronic device is completely forbidden, without exception.
2.2. Main Open, Weekend, Rapid Tournaments, and Side Events
Electronic device usage as specified in Section 1 (only for kifu and silent music) is permitted, except:
a) Top Group restriction
For players competing in the first 20 to 40 tables, the organizer may prohibit device use entirely.
Additionally, in a specific game:
if both players (or teams) mutually agree, devices may be used;
if even a single player expresses objection, the objection is binding, and devices must be configured accordingly immediately.
Ignoring such an objection results in:
automatic loss (forfeit),
and possibly further exclusion.
b) Referee authority per game or table
A referee may prohibit device usage for any individual game at any time, without requiring burden of proof.
Ignoring the referee’s instruction results in forfeit and potential exclusion.
c) Special-format tournaments
Events such as Pandanet Team Go, SEYGO, or others with their own regulations
may follow separate rules and must be clarified prior to the tournament.
3. Suspicion of cheating and inspection limits
In case of suspicion of cheating, but without capable proof, the referee may impose disciplinary measures if there is a strong indication of unfair intention.
Personal electronic devices cannot be inspected without the explicit consent of the player.
The referee may, however:
immediately ban further device usage in the ongoing game,
apply a precautionary device ban to all further games during EGC 2026 for the concerned player(s).
4. Final provisions
These rules supersede any conflicting anti-cheating provision concerning absolute prohibition of electronic devices.
All other Anti-Cheating Rules remain valid.
By registering to the tournament, players agree to comply with this regulation.
Any violation may lead to penalties defined in the General Tournament Rules.
5. Definition of the Playing Area
The playing area is strictly defined as the table and the tournament hall.
The following locations are not considered part of the playing area: the foyer, restrooms, hallways, or any other part of the EGC 2026 venue outside the tournament hall.
6. Special Rules for Participants with Disabilities
In cases involving participants with disabilities, any requests for exceptions to these rules must be submitted in advance by the participant or their legal guardian.
Each case will be reviewed individually by the organizers, and any approved accommodations will be communicated to the participant before the tournament begins.
7. Reference to International Tournament Rules
For any issues not explicitly covered by these rules, the General Tournament Rules and tournament specific rules approved by the European Go Federation (EGF) will apply.
Participants are required to adhere to both these local rules and the international rules set by the EGF.
8. Agreement to Comply with the Rules
Each participant in the EGC 2026, who will take part in the tournaments, is required to read and accept these rules by signing a declaration at the registration desk. For underage participants, the rules must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
Signing the rules is a mandatory condition for participating in the tournaments.
Failure to accept or sign the rules will result in disqualification from participation in the tournaments.
In the event of breaking the above rules all the games of the player who broke them can be set as void or lost by the Chief Referee, independently of other penalties provided at the European Go Congress 2026 Tournament Rules. Signed declarations will be stored only for the duration of the EGC 2026 and will be destroyed after the conclusion of the EGC 2026.
Approved by the Chief Referee of the European Go Congress 2026
Necessary conditions for connecting EC games with the Main Tournament games
All the EC games will also be counted as the Main Tournament games if at least 8 EC participants fulfil all three conditions specified below:
the player has paid an entry fee for the whole EGC 2026 (Full Congress);
the player has registered in person for the Main Tournament, by the end of the first registration day (Saturday, 19th July, 21:00 local time);
at the registration desk, the player has signed the same commitment as all other players qualified for participation in the supergroup of the Main Tournament, i.e. the commitment to play all 10 rounds in the Main Tournament – while the games played in the European Championship (on same days when rounds of the Main Tournament are played) are counted as the games played also in the Main Tournament.
If the above condition is not fulfilled, no EC game will be included in the Main Tournament, however, all EC participants may play games at the Main Tournament on the same conditions as all other Main Tournament participants – including calculation of the starting MacMahon score, but without a possibility to be qualified to the supergroup.
Starting MacMahon score at the supergroup level
If all the conditions specified in point 1.1 above are fulfilled, those players will be arranged according to their current EGF rating.
Only an even number of such players may be qualified for the Main Tournament supergroup:
If that number is even, all those players will receive a starting MacMahon score equal to the supergroup score.
If that number is odd, the last player (with the lowest EGF rating) will receive a starting MacMahon score according to his/her EGF rating.
2.2. The starting MacMahon score of all other EC participants will be set according to their EGF rating.
3. Commitment to play all the rounds in the Main Tournament
3.1. All players qualified for the Main Tournament supergroup are obliged to play all rounds in the Main Tournament, so they cannot drop any round.
3.2. In a particularly exceptional case (but no more than only once) , when a player qualified to the supergroup cannot play a specific game in the Main Tournament, despite the signed European Go Congress 2026 (EGC 2026) – Possibility of EC connection with the Main Tournament commitment, he/she notifies a referee in the manner specified in point 2.4 of the EGC 2026 Tournament Rules.
3.3. If the number of such exceptional drops is greater than one, or if a player qualified to the supergroup skips any game in the Main Tournament without dropping it earlier (as described in point 3.2 above), such a player will be unconditionally removed from all the next rounds of the Main Tournament, and will not receive any title or prize in the Main Tournament.
Approved by the Chief Referee of the European Go Congress 2026
In agreement with the Chief Referee of the European Championship 2026
I. General rules
EC Rules are binding directly at the European Championship played during the European Go Congress 2026 (EGC 2026).
Territory Scoring Verbal European-Japanese Rules apply with komi 6.5 and Japanese fill-in counting.
For matters not regulated in the EC Rules, the EGC 2026 Tournament Rules apply.
EGC 2026 Anti-cheating Rules apply with no exception.
II. Selection and registration procedure
Selection of 32 players, together with reserve players, is performed by the EGF (European Go Federation). The final list of players and reserve players is presented to the organisers of the EGC 2026 by the end of June 2026.
Registration for participation at the European Championship is connected with an entry fee for the First Week plus the Weekend or Tüm Kongre
Players who want to also play in other tournaments of the EGC 2026 (including Main, Rapid or Weekend Tournaments) have to pre-register and register on the same conditions as all other participants, which includes payment of an appropriate entry fee – so for two week participation (including Main or Rapid Tournaments ) an entry fee for the whole EGC 2026 (Full Congress ) is required.
All 32 players selected by the EGF must register personally at the registration desk of the EGC 2026 and confirm that they still want to play in the European Championship, at the first registration day (Saturday, 19th July 2026).
If by the end of that first registration day (21:00 local time) all 32 players are not registered in conformance with point 2.4 above, an appropriate number of reserve players who fulfilled the above conditions will be added to the list of participants of the European Championship.
If after applying the procedure described at points 2.4 and 2.5 above the registered number of participants at the European Championship is still less than 32 players, the organisers of the EGC 2026 will fill the gap with an appropriate number of high-rated participants of the Main Tournament that have a passport of an active EGF member country.
III. European Championship specific rules
Thinking time per player is 1 hour 20 minutes + 40s bonus Fischer time.
Pairing for the first round (and consequently – for all the next rounds) is based on the last EGF rating accessible before the EGC 2026 (Friday, 18th July 2026).
Players are obligated to be present at their tables in the playing rooms at the time scheduled for starting the round. Accepted late appearance is 30 minutes.
A player who is late more than the allowed time loses the game by default. However, contrary to the EGC 2026 Tournament Rules such a player is not excluded from the next round, but he/she will be paired according to the normal European Championship procedure.
If all the conditions specified in section I of the document “Possibility for connecting EC games with the Main Tournament games” (in short: “EC connection”) are met, the games played on the same day as the Main Tournament games shall be taken into account as well for the Main Tournament. It means that games played in round 4 of the European Championship (Wednesday, 23th July) and in the semifinals, small final and final (Saturday and Sunday, 28th and 29th July) will not be taken into account for the Main Tournament in any case.
The European Championship participants may participate also in the Main Tournament on the same conditions as all other Main Tournament participants, including payment of the appropriate entry fee.
The starting McMahon score of the EC participants at the Main Tournament will be set according to section II of the “EC connection” document.
All players qualified for the Main Tournament supergroup are obliged to play all rounds in the Main Tournament, according to section III of the “EC connection” document.
Approved by the Chief Referee of the European Go Congress 2026
In agreement with the Chief Referee of the European Championship 2026
I. General rules
Pair Go Rules are binding directly at the Pair Go Tournament played during the European Go Congress 2026 (EGC 2026) .
Territory Scoring Verbal European-Japanese Rules apply with komi 6.5 and Japanese fill-in counting.
For matters not regulated in the Pair Go Rules the EGC 2026 Tournament Rules apply .
EGC 2026 Anti-cheating Rules apply with no exception.
II. Pair Go specific rules
Games are played between teams consisting of a male and a female. The members of a team are called partners.
For pairings (and handicap, that can be applied for the last group or groups) requirements a grade of a team is calculated on a basis of the average rating of both partners.
The teams face each other across the Go board, with the partners sitting side by side. Female players face each other and male players face each other.
The team playing White has the right to decide where to place the tournament clock.
To avoid unnecessary disturbance, each partner in a pair has its own Go bowl . It is also advised that the player sitting by the clock presses the clock after a move is played.
The order of moves (rotation) is as follows: female playing Black, female playing White, male playing Black, male playing White, and so on.
During a game, the partners must not convey any information to each other by any means, with the exception of point 2.8 below. Verbal consultation, gestures, signs and so on are strictly forbidden. In any case such an exchange of information will result in losing the game by forfeit. In any doubt the chief referee should be consulted to take the final decision.
The only exceptions to the above rule are:
reminding the partner to press the clock, according to point 2.5;
asking the partner about the order of moves (rotation), i.e.: ”is it my turn to move or yours?”;
asking the partner, but only by the player whose turn is to make a move, whether the partner agrees to resign; an answer to such a question has to be as short as possible (“yes”, ”agree”, or “no”, “do not agree”) with no other comment or advice.
Only the player whose turn is to make a move can declare a resignation, and such a declaration is final and cannot be contested.
As a consequence of point 2.7 above, at no time during the game both players could leave the table at the same time – at least one partner of the team has to be present there.
Players may neutralise a clock according to the point 7.9 of the EGC 2026 Tournament Rules, with the exception of letter d) – it means that a clock cannot be neutralised for a bathroom break, even at the last 5 minutes of time, as it would give a partner an advantage of additional thinking time exceeding the time allowance. Therefore the clock may be neutralised in the following cases only:
for removal of three or more stones,
when a rotation error has been just detected,
when a referee is to be consulted,
at the end of a game, before the counting begins.
III. Rotation errors
When one of the partners in a team makes a move in the wrong order that diverges from a normal rotation, this is called a rotation error.
A rotation error can only be claimed when the move just played was out of rotation.
If the rotation error looks like an intentional one, or has been repeated several times, a referee should be consulted. If the referee confirms such suspicions, the chief referee may decide the game lost by forfeit and such a decision cannot be contested.
If the rotation error was not intentional and was not preceded by the rotation error of the opposite team, a three -point penalty is levied (three penalty stones are added as prisoners) and the game is resumed in a new order, as a continuation of that new order of moves.
If the rotation error was not intentional and was preceded directly by the rotation error of the opposite team, no penalty is levied, and the game is resumed in a new order, as a continuation of that new order of moves.
However, when the second non intentional rotation error is made by a team in a row , a new three -point penalty is levied and such an error can be contested as an intentional one, according to the procedure described in point 3.3 above.
When such a third rotation error is made in a row, it is qualified automatically as an intentional error and the game is lost by forfeit.
In either case, no moves are taken back or replaced. The last move played is regarded as correct, and the player who played it becomes the starting point for resuming normal rotation.
IV. Tournament system, thinking time and late appearance
Groups of 16 teams will be arranged according to the rating of the teams, with the possible exception described in the next point. In the preliminary stage each group will play down to 4 teams, according to the knockout chart displayed before the tournament.
Depending on the number of teams, the last group may consist of 16 to 31 players. If the number of teams in that last group will be greater than 16, another system of pairing may be applied for designating 4 teams.
Thinking time per team is 25 minutes + 10s bonus Fischer time.
All the pairs are expected to be present at their tables in the playing area no later than 5 minutes before the time scheduled for starting the round. Accepted late appearance is 15 minutes.
If even one partner of the team is late more than the allowed time, that team loses the game by default, and is excluded from all the next rounds in that tournament.
V. Pairing and results
Pairings will be posted before the start of the tournament and will be updated after each round.
Results will be published in the same way as the results of other tournaments.
Approved by the Chief Referee of the Pair Go Tournament
In agreement with the Chief Referee of the European Go Congress 2026
I. Subject -matter and scope
Tournament Rules are binding directly at the following tournaments played during the European Go Congress 2026 (EGC 2026):
Main Tournament,
Weekend Tournament,
Rapid Tournament.
Tournament Rules apply respectively to other tournaments.
For matters not regulated in the Tournament Rules the following rulesets apply in this order:
EGF General Tournament Rules,
EGF Tournament System Rules,
EGF General Tournament Guidelines.
II. Registration
Regardless of pre -registration, each player must register in person for every tournament he/she intends to participate in.
At the registration to the Main Tournament and/or Weekend Tournament , and/or Rapid Tournament every player has to sign a commitment to comply with the Tournament Rules, and additionally has to declare all the rounds he/she intends to participate in at those tournaments. It may be signed once for all the tournaments or separately for any one of them.
At the Main Tournament and at the Weekend Tournament supergroups will be formed for the players with the highest EGF rating, by a decision of the chief referee. A necessary condition to qualify to the supergroup is a signed commitment to play all the rounds at the given tournament (10 rounds at the Main Tournament or 5 rounds at the Weekend Tournament).
Players should notify a referee of every intended absence (dropping a round) in the Main Tournament, Weekend Tournament or Rapid Tournament, on the proper form, as soon as possible, but no later than 1 hour before the time scheduled for starting that round.
In a particularly exceptional case, when a player qualified to the supergroup cannot play a specific game in the Main Tournament or in the Weekend Tournament, despite the signed commitment, he/she notifies a referee in the manner specified above in point 2.4.
Players with EGF rating declare their ranks according to the rules of that system. In a case another rank is given the chief referee may verify it.
Each participant in the EGC 2026, who will take part in the tournaments, is required to read and accept these rules by signing a declaration at the registration desk. For underage participants, the rules must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. It is a mandatory condition for participating in the tournaments. Failure to accept or sign the rules will result in disqualification from participation in the tournaments .
III. Tournament system, thinking time and late appearance
All the tournaments (Main, Weekend and Rapid) are played with McMahon system with no handicap.
The McMahon bar will be decided at the start of the tournament according to the rating and number of players.
In the Main Tournament and in the Weekend Tournament a supergroup is formed.
Territory Scoring Verbal European -Japanese Rules apply with komi 6.5 and Japanese fill -in counting.
Thinking time per player:
in the Main Tournament: 1 hour + 30s bonus Fischer time,
in the Weekend Tournament: 45 minutes + 15s bonus Fischer time,
in the Rapid Tournament: 25 minutes + 3s bonus Fischer time.
Players are obliged to be present at their tables in the playing area at the time scheduled for starting the round. Accepted late appearance is allowed as follows:
in the Main Tournament – 30 minutes ,
in the Weekend Tournament – 20 minutes,
in the Rapid Tournament – 15 minutes.
A player who is late more than the allowed time loses the game by default.
A partner of the late player notifies a referee when a referee checks the players’ absences walking through the playing room. If, after a lapse of time specified above in point 3.6, the referee recognises both players to be absent, and the game result has not been declared in a manner specified below in point 5.3 (if the game was played and finished earlier), the game result is recorded as a loss for both players.
In the Main Tournament and in the Weekend Tournament (apart from the supergroup) a partner of the late player may be re-paired in that round with another player, if he/she notifies a referee of such an intention and if such re-pairing is possible. In such a case thinking time per player can be adjusted by a referee.
A player who lost the game in a manner specified above in point 3.7. or 3.8. , is excluded from the next round in that tournament. In a particularly justified case, if the player produces immediately a convincing excuse, the chief referee may cancel such an exclusion and allow the player to play in that next round.
A player excluded from the next round may re -enter the following rounds, if he/she notifies a referee of such an intention. If such an accident is repeated again in the same tournament or in another one the chief referee may exclude the player from one or more tournaments, or in an extreme case – from the whole EGC 2026.
IV. Pairing
Players are paired according to their McMahon Score (MMS - SCOREX), and if it is possible they are paired with players with the same MMS. If there is an odd number of players in a given MMS group, the lowest placed player in that group is paired down with the highest placed player in the group below . The pairing system tries to avoid a multiple pairing up or down for the same player.
For pairing purposes players in the same MMS group are arranged according to the following rules:
in the Main Tournament and in the Weekend Tournament:
for pairing at rounds 1 and 2 – in the order of their initial EGF ratings before the Go Congress,
for pairing at other rounds the tiebreakers are used until exhausted;
in the Rapid Tournament – in the order of their SOS.
Players in a group with the same MMS are paired as follows:
in the Main Tournament, in the Rapid Tournament and in the Weekend Tournament:
in rounds 1 and 2 – with a Split and Fold method,
in other rounds – with a Split and Slip method;
For pairing of players under the bar a geographic criterion is applied additionally, so as to avoid (if it is possible) pairing between players from the same country or club/city.
V. Game results
Pairing results (Games List) are displayed at designated places before the round begins.
On each table a result form will be placed. After the game ends and the result is settled, the result has to be written down on the result form. The result form, properly filled and signed by both players, should be deposited in a result box that can be found at a designated place. If there is a problem with obtaining a signature of the losing player a referee should be consulted.
If the result form is not deposited in a manner specified above in point 5.3 the result is recognised as a loss for both players.
VI. Results
Results of the Main Tournament, Weekend Tournament and the Rapid Tournament are decided by the following criteria in this order:
SCOREX (McMahon Score without the correction for sleeping rounds),
DC (Direct Comparison)
SOS (Sum of Opponents Scores) ,
SOSOS (Sum of Opponents’ SOS) .
VII. Participant behaviour and other regulations
The EGF General Tournament Rules are in effect,
Players should be mindful of the way they place a stone: A stone is played quickly, as near as possible to its intended intersection. Once the stone touches the board, there should be minimal physical movement required to place the stone on its intended intersection, and then it should be released straightaway.
Once the stone is played it cannot be removed or moved.
Once the stone is played, any removal of the opponent’s stones is carried out. For the time necessary to remove three or more stones the clock may be neutralised (if necessary a referee is ready to help).
The players must take care to not disturb the position of the board.
A move is completed by pressing the clock with the same hand that played the move. Once the clock is pressed, the hand used must be promptly removed from the clock.
All moves, including dame, must be played in alternation with the clock running.
Since the game result is counted according to the Japanese territorial rules, prisoners (removed stones) must be collected into a dedicated place on the table (preferably into a bowl’s lid) and must remain clearly visible to the opponent at all times.
Thinking time and bonus time are set on the clocks, with the sound on, by the referee team. Players are not allowed to change the settings or to add time on the clocks. Players are advised to check that the sound is set to “on” before the game begins and during the game.
Players may neutralise a clock in the following cases only:
for removal of three or more stones , as specified above in point 7.4,
when a referee is to be consulted,
at the end of the game, before the counting begins,
only once at the last 5 minutes, for a bathroom break.
After the game is finished, and before counting begins, players are advised to take a photo of the board. In case of any disagreement concerning the game result, a referee should be consulted, and then such a photo should be presented to the referee.
Spectators and other players are not allowed to make any remarks to the players or to comment audibly their moves or board positions, even if an irregularity is discovered. Such cases should be brought to the attention of a referee.
Spectators are not allowed to use electronic devices in the playing area. They will be allowed to take photos during the first 10 minutes at the beginning of a round .
A player whose game is not finished yet cannot enter the room where his/her game is transmitted or commented. The intentional entry into such a room will be treated as losing the game by resignation.
The chief referee may specify playing areas where entrance of other players or spectators is limited completely or partially.
In case of problems or doubts a referee should be consulted.
If the above regulations or other regulation sets in the EGF General Tournament Rules are violated, the chief referee may remove from the room the persons that disturb tranquillity or perform other violations. He may also exclude the player from one round (in such a case the unfinished game is recognised as a loss) or from the whole tournament, or in an extreme case – from the whole EGC 2026.
Approved by the Chief Referee of the European Go Congress 2026