Upgrade Information

My thanks to all the SwissSys users who have helped me by making suggestions and tracking down bugs.

What is new since 11.79

The releases since version 11.79 focus on database setup, printing, standings, and roster import. Here are the user-facing highlights.

Redesigned Database Setup

The Database Setup dialog has been reworked around a profile dropdown and a single Auto-configure field mapping for this file type action, so picking a federation preset (USCF Joint, USCF Golden, USCF TARSFLE, CFC, FIDE) fills in the right field mapping for you. The full field-mapping grid is now tucked behind an Expert view for advanced or custom databases, keeping the everyday case simple. For most users the Database Wizard is still the fastest path.

The downloadable USCF and CFC databases are now combined files that already include FIDE ratings, so one download covers both your national and international ratings. Player records carry separate Grade and Age columns rather than packing one into the other, and you can look up Canadian players live through CFC online search — selected automatically when your tournament’s primary federation is CFC — without downloading a database first.

PDF printing by default

Printing now routes through a bundled, silent PDF printer by default: each job is rendered to a PDF and spooled to your printer through a bundled copy of SumatraPDF, so printed output matches the on-screen preview. Nothing extra needs to be installed. If a specific machine has trouble with the PDF path, you can turn it off with the Direct printing (legacy) toggle on the Print and Other Options tab and revert to the older direct-to-printer behavior. See Printing Overview and Print View.

You can also export a report straight to PDF, and PDF export no longer requires an installed printer — on a machine with no usable printer SwissSys still writes the PDF, falling back to a default page size.

TB Place standings column

The standings view can now show a tiebreak-aware TB Place column alongside the regular Place column. Where Place shows a shared range for tied scores (for example 1-2), TB Place shows the separated finishing place once your configured tiebreaks break the tie. It appears in individual sections that have tiebreaks configured when Show place is on. See Standings Formatting.

Open a spreadsheet as a roster

You can now open an .xls, .xlsx, or .csv spreadsheet directly with File > Open and have SwissSys import the players in it as a section roster. If the spreadsheet has a SECTION column with two or more distinct values, the import splits into one SwissSys section per value automatically. See Open.

Redesigned Find Player

The Find Player command opens a redesigned “Choose a player” dialog with a type-to-filter search field: the list narrows on every keystroke, shows a live match count, and offers a Show all sections option that is remembered between sessions.

Version 11 improvements

If you are already familiar with a previous version of SwissSys, listed below are just some of the most noticeable improvements you will find in version 11.

New file structure

A new file structure using json format that lets you keep your tournament information for all sections in a single, compact file. This makes sharing and maintaining your tournaments much more natural. (The older, Excel-based format is still supported for backwards compatibility.)

Simplified backup system

A simplified backup system. Backup files are regularly created and saved in their own folder. If disaster strikes or you do something careless, SwissSys 11 will have your back.

Improvements to the hosted online site

Improvements to the free, hosted online site where you can upload a SwissSys report file that generates tables for you and all your players to view.

The uploading is easier now, with a single upload covering all your sections at once. New reports include team standings and a combined roster listing for all your sections in a single table.

You and your players can also search for events filtered by city, affiliate, TD, or state.

Support for all six online USCF ratings types

Support for all six online USCF ratings types. Once you tell SwissSys a few things about your tournament, it handles loading the proper rating for you automatically.

Wide view option for registration

A “wide view” option for the registration dialog. Unless you have a very small monitor, you will be able to view the registration window and the database or online window at the same time.

This eliminates the inconvenience of skipping back and forth from one window to the other.

Team registration utility

A utility to register all players on a team at the same time. This is by far the most efficient approach for most team tournaments.

Color coding of the wall chart

Color coding of the wall chart to make byes, forfeits, and unplayed games stand out.

Revised double-blitz events

A completely revised approach to double-blitz style events. Instead of entering one result for both rounds and having to keep track of which result went with which game, each match-up is displayed twice (with alternating color), allowing total control over the input.

This produces easier-to-read charts, besides obviating the need to convert the file later to double-Swiss format.

Improved pairing rules dialog

Improved pairing rules dialog. The tabs have been reorganized so you can find what you need in a flash.

Improved pairings

Improved pairings, especially in small, nightmare pairing scenarios.

Automatic settings saving

Three options for automatically saving settings with your sections: Basic, full, or none. This makes it unnecessary to adjust, for instance, your tie break settings every time you change sections.

Enhanced features

A smarter, less intrusive auto-save feature. Expanded Undo features for mistakes both large and small.

Some helpful new speed button shortcuts on the toolbar, including start a new section, find a player, pair all sections at once, and view all pairings at once.

Font size adjustment

Adjust all font sizes at once. This is convenient for those whose eyes (like mine) are not what they once were.

Step-by-step tournament setup guide

A step-by-step tournament setup guide. This is mainly for newcomers to SwissSys, but even experienced users may find it to be helpful.

Bulk player registration

And dozens of other small touches, many suggested by tournament directors just like you.

What Comes with the Installation – Files included with SwissSys 11
First Assumptions – Prerequisites before you begin
Getting Started – Jump right in