General Rules

• All games are played at net-chess.com
• If a player is challenged to shorter time controls
  than desired, a counterchallenge may be issued with longer time controls
• Failure to accept a valid challenge (or issue a counterchallenge
  before the initial challenge is dropped from the list of
  available matches) constitutes a forfeit
• A timeout constitutes a loss; two timeouts constitutes a forfeit
• A player cannot play consecutive matches against the same opponent
• When posting a valid challenge, please remind your opponent
  (using the comment bar on the 'Start a Game' screen) which
  ladder the challenge is for
• If you will be unable to accept challenges for a period of time,
  please schedule a vacation.
• Time controls: 7d+1d is encouraged; however, this is unreasonable
  for some players, so longer time controls will be allowed,
  with a maximum of 30d+2d unless both players agree to longer than 30d+2d
• Match size: 2 players, 2 games
• New players enter at the bottom of the ladder
• Any player who has not logged in to net-chess for more than a year and has no active games, or any player who has forfeited three consecutive matches, may be removed at the discretion of the tournament director.
• When applicable, you must issue a challenge at least once every 12 months.

Standard Ladder Rules

• A player may challenge one or two spots up the ladder
  (this number may increase as the ladder grows)
• If the challenger wins, outright or by forfeit,
  the two players switch places on the ladder
• Players will play no more than two matches at a time:
  one as a challenger, and one defending a challenge
• If you challenge and win, you will always move up;
  if you are challenged and lose, you will always move down

Pyramid Ladder Rules

• You may only challenge a player on your level; winner moves up, loser moves down
• The pyramid will expand in both directions until there are 30 levels
• Players will play one match at a time