ChessPairings.org supports two pairing systems: FIDE Dutch and Burstein. But when should you use each?

FIDE Dutch (C.04 regulations) is the standard for most FIDE-rated tournaments worldwide. It prioritizes score-group integrity and color alternation, and it's the required system for official FIDE events. If your tournament will be rated by FIDE or your national federation, this is almost always the correct choice.

Burstein is a simpler system historically used in some Eastern European federations. It tends to produce less complex pairings and can be easier to verify manually. It's suitable for informal club events or training tournaments where strict FIDE compliance isn't required.

Our recommendation: When in doubt, use FIDE Dutch. It's the international standard, it handles edge cases more robustly, and players expect it in rated events.

Have you tried both? What's your experience?