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COULSDON WINTER CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS
SEASON 2019-20

CCF DIVISIONAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP / WORLD CUP RULES

These rules are to try and cover every eventuality that may arise during the competition. However, it is inevitable that issues will arise that have not directly been covered in these rules. It is hoped that, regardless of any situation, all players will be accommodating of everyone else in the club. Everyone’s situation is different and there are many different expectations of how these competitions should run - and what players hope to achieve from it.

1 All matches shall be played according to the FIDE laws of chess and (as stated in the Laws of Chess) the CCF appointed arbiter’s decisions shall be final in all matters relating to the laws of the game and any issues not covered by the laws. Any decision to refer an issue to a higher qualified arbiter will be made by CCF if it is felt appropriate.

2 CCF reserves the right to state on which night matches will be played. CCF reserves the right to set and amend fixtures as necessary for the overall good of the competitions.  CCF can set any fixture for any event on any Monday night that it believes players are or should be available to play.  All matches shall be played on their arranged date or the match shall be treated as defaulted, unless postponement is made according to the rules (see below) or where there is no further chance for the match to be played on Monday evenings within the stated season.  Players are obliged to inform CCF in advance (as far advance as possible) of any Monday they are unable to play on (and not to wait until the last minute).  

3 Matches should be completed on the evening they are started. Sealed moves may only be made with the permission of the arbiter and only in very exceptional circumstances ("late nights for juniors" cannot be accommodated as a reason). This will only be considered if the completion of the match does not affect the overall running of the competition as the successful completion of the tournament is paramount.

4 All matches played within the competitions shall be graded with the English Chess Federation and rated with FIDE.

5 The time limit for all long play matches shall be 1 hour and 30 minutes each on the clock plus 30 seconds per move added from Move 1 Fischer timings.  Players should note that, with increments of 30 seconds or more, they are obliged to record moves FULLY at all times, regardless of how much time is left on the clock.

6 In divisions, players shall be awarded 4 points for a win, 2 points for a played draw and 1 point for a defeat over the board. Defaulted games, whether drawn or lost shall score 0.

7 League positions in any league or group competitions shall be decided as follows:

1 Most points scored

2 Result(s) of direct match(es) involving the players tied. Further tie breaks using this principle may be used within a sub-group of tied players.

3 Fewest Defeats (as this may give an extra tie break by effectively using the 3-2-1 scoring system)

4 Sonnerborn-Berger (click the link for an explanation on Wikipedia)

5 Only if required then, a player's best + or - grading performance compared with their grade (or estimate). 

8 Clocks shall be started at 7-30pm on a match night (by the arbiter if necessary) unless they have already been started correctly according to the rules.  Where both players are absent at 7.30pm, white’s clock shall be started, but the clocks may be re-balanced if neither player arrives for a time considered too excessive in the opinion of the arbiter for just 1 of the players to bear the brunt of the time lost.  Matches may start before 7.30pm subject to the following rules:

   a    No match may start until the CCF controller has declared the hall ready for games to start. 
   b    Each player has a quoted preferred start time (on the
Winter Season Checker) - either player may start the clock anytime from when the LATER start time of the 2 opposing players has been reached.  The default start time is 7.30pm until quoted.

9 If a player has not arrived at the board by 8pm, he/she shall default the match, unless suitable notification (as deemed by the arbiter) has been received from that player after 7pm on the night confirming that they are definitely on their way, in which case that player shall only be defaulted when they run out of time. Such notification must generally be made on 020 8645 9586 or by text to the emergency contact number (as given).

10 Where a match has been declared "defaulted" by the controller according to the rules, this decision can only be overturned if either it is determined that the player(s) defaulting had, after all, fulfilled the requirements to postpone, or if a unanimous decision agreed by everyone in their particular section of the competition is reached (ie. those who could be deemed to be affected by the decision) and where the controller is happy that an appeal is valid and that there is still enough time to get the match played. 

11 Any appeal against a default must be made by the player by the end of the day immediately after matches were played.  CCF will, at its discretion, email the players eligible to have a vote on the matter.  Should anyone not have replied  by the end of Thursday (2 days later) they will be deemed to have agreed with the appeal.

12  CCF reserves the right to default a player who is unable to play a game for whatever reason, even if not their fault.  (This is not a rule we will invoke lightly, but with a knock-out competition, one match can hold the whole competition up).

NB. Parents of juniors must note that they are fully responsible for ensuring that either they or their child have followed the rules. Also, they should note that the club does not stop during half-term breaks; the only Mondays that the club is not in action are 2 weeks (occasionally just 1) over Christmas, Easter Monday and the May Bank Holidays.

 

WORLD CUP EXTRA RULES

WC1    If a World Cup match is drawn, players will immediately play a reverse colour Rapid Play Play-Off.  If that matches is also drawn, then as many Blitz games (with colours reversed each time) to decide who wins.  Bother players may agree to go straight to a Blitz Play-Off if they choose; the only time 1 of the players may insist on going direct to Blitz is if the Long Play match finishes after 11pm.  If either player pulls out of the tie once the Long Play match has started, they shall be deemed to have lost.

(We appreciate that the above rule maybe harsh, especially if we go late into the evening, but we also have logistics to complete and must ensure that all matches finishes within the season.  Some players are on a very tight schedule and have no room for matches to be delayed).

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THE PROCESS TO NOTIFY UNAVAILABILITY/POSTPONEMENTS

Your duty is to notify the controller - as soon as you know - of any dates you cannot play during the season.  Please do not wait until the last minute.  We accept that emergencies will crop up, but a lot of careful planning goes into arranging the fixtures and it is (to be blunt) extremely annoying when someone suddenly spots that they have a fixture and asks to cancel because "they forgot to tell us that they were going on holiday........," etc.

CCF will email all club members on either Monday late night or Tuesday, confirming both that the previous night's results are now on the web site - and enclosing the list of those we understand are NOT available for the following Monday; players must "correct/update" their status immediately if it is wrong.  Fixtures are listed any time after 9am Friday on the Fixtures' Page, so players have until then at the absolute latest (please don't leave it until the last minute) to register an absence.

If you then have to cancel, please note that the onus is on YOU to ensure you get the message to the controller and ensure it has been correctly recorded (including checking that weekly email).  Players are NOT to contact the opposing player; CCF will do that by text and/or email - usually to re-arrange another game for them.

BEFORE THE DAY
1    Email chess@ccfworld.com to advise us of your request to cancel and the reason; this email will be acknowledged.  Make sure it is - and make sure your name is included in any emails sent out (if you have notified us in time) and please ensure you are not given a pairing!  Mistakes occasionally happen.

AFTER 9am FRIDAY BUT BEFORE THE DAY OF THE MATCH
1    Email chess@ccfworld.com to advise us; this email will be acknowledged.  This email must be heading "FIXTURE CHANGE" in the heading, so that it will be picked out by the nominated controller for that week.  CCF will then (albeit with a lot of frustration!) try to re-arrange the fixtures so everyone has a game (not always easy). Please note that playing for another chess team will not be acceptable.
2    Ensure you receive a receipt - but be aware this will only happen after the email has been read. 

ON THE DAY - ONLY BEFORE 5pm ALLOWED - IDEALLY DO BOTH OF THESE, BUT THE TEXT IS THE CRUCIAL COMMUNICATION
1    Email chess@ccfworld.com to advise us of your request to cancel and the reason.  Please note that playing for another chess team will not be acceptable this late.
2    Text the chess mobile - the number should be stored on your phone and will be listed each week in our fixtures e-mail to re-confirm that information.
3    You should then receive both an email and/or text detailing the cancellation and any changes of fixtures affecting anyone plus a text to inform players that the email is there and that the web site has been changes. 

NOTE: Do not ring the CCF Office number to make a cancellation.  The rules stipulate the chess mobile because staff are often out and about - and we need to know such information is coming into 1 specific hub - as it will involve the late re-arranging of matches.  Deals between players not to play are not allowed - even if apparently agreed by other CCF staff members.  The process MUST be done as stated above.  

NOTE: Please also do not verbally tell CCF staff you will be absent.  Whilst they may remember and act on it, they are human and mistakes can happen.  You will not be covered legally with a verbal notification if you are accidentally paired and cannot provide written proof of agreement of absence.

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