Varma Tables

Directions for “restricted” drawing of tournament numbers:

1. The arbiter should prepare, beforehand, unmarked envelopes each containing one of the sets of numbers A, B, C and D as indicated below in point 5. These envelopes are then respectively placed in larger envelopes, on each of which the quantity of player-numbers contained in the small envelopes is indicated.
2. The order in which players draw lots is determined beforehand as follows: The players from the federation with the greatest number of representatives shall draw first. Where two or more federations have the same number of representatives, precedence is determined by the alphabetical order of the FIDE country code. Among players of the same federation, precedence is determined by the alphabetical order of their names.
3. For example, the first player of the federation with the largest number of players shall choose one of the large envelopes containing at least enough numbers for his contingent, and then draw one of the numbers from this envelope. The other players from the same contingent shall also draw their numbers from the same envelope. The numbers that remain are available for use by other players.
4. The players of the next contingent then choose an envelope, and this procedure is repeated until all players have drawn their numbers.
5. The following Varma Table can be used for 9 to 24 players.
   
   • 9/10 players: A: (3, 4, 8); B: (5, 7, 9); C: (1, 6); D: (2, 10)
   • 11/12 players: A: (4, 5, 9, 10); B: (1, 2, 7); C: (6, 8, 12); D: (3, 11)
   • 13/14 players: A: (4, 5, 6, 11, 12); B: (1, 2, 8, 9); C: (7, 10, 13); D: (3, 14)
   • 15/16 players: A: (5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14); B: (1, 2, 3, 9, 10); C: (8, 11, 15); D: (4, 16)
   • 17/18 players: A: (5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16); B: (1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12); C: (9, 13, 17); D: (4, 18)
   • 19/20 players: A: (6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18); B: (1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 13, 14); C: (5, 10, 19); D: (4, 20)
   • 21/22 players: A: (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20); B: (1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 14, 15); C: (11, 16, 21); D: (5, 22)
   • 23/24 players: A: (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19, 20, 21, 22); B: (1, 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17); C: (12, 18, 23); D: (5, 24)