Playing Rules: Leave/Withdrawal

If he wishes, a player may take up to 14 days leave during the stipulated period of play or 24 days for a 12 month period. In special cases additional leave can be granted by the tournament secretary. The additional leave shall not exceed 4 weeks. Generally speaking, extra leave shall be granted only for exceptional reasons, eg illness, or unexpected absence from home for professional or chess activities. The decision in each case shall be made by the tournament secretary.
A player taking leave is required to notify all his opponents and the tournament secretary of his leave before this begins. Should he not do this, his time of reflection continues until the day he sends his notification. Should the opponent of a player taking leave receive a move at any time during the leave, his time of reflection continues until the move is made. It is recommended that notice of leave should be sent with the transmission of a move. When the advice has to be sent at short notice it is recommended that this should be sent by recorded delivery.
If a player answers during his leave, he loses the right to continue this particular leave in the game in question from the day of his answer. His opponent must answer with the normal calculation of time of reflection.
Players not replying to opponents or the tournament secretary shall be deemed to have made a silent withdrawal, when all games in progress shall be deemed lost by the players and won by their opponents.