PAB (Program-Allocated Bye)

When there is an odd number of players to pair, one of them must receive a bye. The PAB is the term FIDE uses to refer to the bye awarded by the program to that player.

The USCF sometimes refers to it as the default bye.

PAB vs other byes

The PAB is distinct from player-requested byes and other user-assigned byes in that, under FIDE rules, these bye recipients may receive a PAB later, but any player who has already been given a PAB is not eligible to receive another.

PAB recipient selection

By FIDE rules, the PAB recipient is ideally the lowest ranked player who has not previously received either a PAB or a forfeit win. The consequences of color assignments and avoiding rematches may change this, however.

FIDE tournament handling

For FIDE tournaments, SwissSys displays the recipient of the PAB in the pair chart, and warns you if you attempt to change this, or change the value of the bye awarded.

If possible, rather than change the bye, you should redo the pairings for the round, since changing the PAB may affect true pairings.

PAB value

The value of the PAB — the default bye value — is usually a full point, but that can be set in the Rules for Pairing dialog. Keep in mind that, once set for a FIDE tournament, this value cannot be changed mid-tournament.