Back up and restore local tournament data

What a backup protects

A ChessPairings backup preserves local tournament data independently of synchronization. It is the safest checkpoint before cancelling rounds, changing structural settings, importing a tournament or resolving a synchronization conflict.

Create a backup

Open Backup and restore, add a recognizable description and create the snapshot. Wait for the success message before continuing. Some high-risk actions also create an automatic backup, but this does not replace a deliberate pre-event and end-of-day routine.

Restore safely

1. Stop entering live results.
2. Select the intended snapshot and inspect its date, source and description.
3. Create a current-state backup when offered.
4. Confirm the restore and reopen the affected tournament.
5. Verify player count, latest round and several recent results.

Store an external copy

Use the export or open-folder action when available to copy the backup outside the computer, for example to encrypted cloud storage or removable media. A backup kept only on the same disk cannot protect against disk failure.

FIDE archive

The FIDE archive is a separate database and can be rebuilt from the official ZIP. Tournament player records and manual edits belong to the tournament backup and are not reconstructed merely by downloading the FIDE archive again.