It is strange that you plan 3 different Swiss tournaments instead of 1 large tournament.
With 3 tournaments you can play the same opponent up to 3 times even with the same color.
The absent player should get 0 and the unpaired player should get 1.
The player with 1 for a bye gets a harder pairing next round.
The player with 0 for absense gets an easier pairing next round.
The sum 0 + 1 = 1 stays the same as for a played game: 0 + 1, or 1/2 + 1/2 or 1 + 0.
'D4
Players known in advance not to play in a particular round are not paired in that round and score zero (unless the rules of the tournament say otherwise).'
https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/C0402
'c
Should the number of players to be paired be odd, one player is unpaired. This player receives a pairing-allocated bye: no opponent, no colour and as many points as are rewarded for a win, unless the rules of the tournament state otherwise.'
https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/C0401
I have a question about a modified bye system for swiss tournaments and would appreciate any feedback
Background
My local chess club is running a series of tournaments to crown a 2024 Club Champion. Only club members can participate.
There will be 3 swiss events through the year and the player with the most cumulative points after the 3 tournaments will be the champion.
There are no tie-break games for each individual tournament, however if there is a tie in the cumulative score after the 3 tournaments, tie-break games will be played. Exact format TBC.
We have regular access to a free venue and all members are local, so we don't have venue cost, player travel and accommodation costs or other costs that drive tournament fixed length.
We are a social club so sometimes there is an unavoidable conflict with a tournament round. Tournament games are played on Saturdays only (it's the only day the club meets).
We are trying to come up with a solution where results were based on merit rather than circumstance.
The Modified Bye System
Player B requested the bye, Player A is the opponent.
For a requested bye, player B gets 0 points player A gets 0.5 (we typically have even number of competitors). This enables the next Swiss round to be paired based on some sort of result.
Then, at the conclusion of the tournament, games involving a requested bye are played - to determine who gets the remaining half point of the game (0.5 is already allocated to the stranded opponent).
If player A wins, they get the remaining 0.5 and effectively score 1 for the game
If the game is a draw, player B gets 0.5 and the game is effectively recorded for the game. Player A keep their already scored 0.5.
If player B wins, they get 0.5 and are effectively penalised 0.5 for taking the bye. Player A keep their already scored 0.5.
Conclusion
The main objective is to have a system where standings are based on actual results. Giving someone who requests a bye 0.5 and the stranded player 1 is allocating points for nothing.
Any thoughts, ideas, alternatives welcome
Cheers