But I agree with The_ that withdrawals from the tournament should be more strictly regulated.
The most optimal solution is for withdrawals not to affect the standings at all, but this is only possible if we implement the option I suggested recently: /topic/at/741977/
Within the framework of the Novice league, I dare to suggest a new scheme:
All participants are not divided into groups in any way, but each has the right to play 5 games. You choose your opponent yourself, but you can only play against the same opponent once. Whoever is lagging behind chooses from those remaining; whoever withdrew is absolutely irrelevant.
"Сущность войны — обман. Искусный должен изображать неумелость. При готовности атаковать демонстрируй подчинение. Когда ты близок — кажись далёким, но когда ты очень далеко — притворись, будто ты рядом."