Swiss-pairing algorithm Is there a (simple) algorithm for setting up a swiss tournament? I've searched around a little, but can't find anything specific.

Alternatively, is there any good and free software available for setting up swiss tournaments? All of those I've tried have very few options and little functionality available.
is there any good and free software available for setting up swiss
  tournaments? All of those I've tried have very few options and little
  functionality available.


Vega is a swiss pairing program which has been approved by FIDE. It is free if you install it on Linux and if you install it on Windows it is free up to 30 players in the tournament. It is a lot more user friendly than other programs you have to pay for and is excellent for amateur use.

The only drawbacks for professional use are the 30 player limit if used on Windows and the lack of a website for publishing the pairings and results. The program allows you to prepare HTML files for uploading to your own (or the tournament) website but it does not come with a standalone website like Chess-results.com which comes with Swiss Manager.