Organisation | Deposits | Match Arrangements | Player Eligibility | Rules of Play | Scoring | Disciplianary | Amendments
ESSEX CHESS LEAGUE RULES
1 The League shall be called the Essex Chess League.
2. The League shall be structured in divisions, each division comprising not more than 6 teams contesting a double round of matches, with the exception of the lowest division, which may be increased or contested on a single round basis at the discretion of the League Management Committee.
3. Teams in Divisions 1 and 2 shall comprise 8 boards. All other divisions shall comprise teams of 6 boards.
4. Clubs may not operate more than two teams in any division, except the lowest division.
5. Clubs with more than one team shall designate teams I, II etc. in order of playing strength, team I being the highest designated team.
6. At the end of the season, the top team in Division 2 and each lower division shall be promoted to the next highest division. The bottom team in each division except the lowest division shall be relegated to the next lowest division. The following exceptions shall, however, prevail:-
(i) Where vacancies occur in a division due to withdrawal and/or a team not exercising its option of promotion in accordance with Rule 6(iii), they may be filled at the discretion of the League Management Committee by waiving relegation and/or promotion of additional teams or the inclusion of new teams. Furthermore the League Management Committee shall have the right to leave a division below the full complement if it considers this to be appropriate to the League.
(ii) Where relegation would cause a club to exceed its quota of teams in a division, the lowest placed team in that division must also be relegated, even though that team has not necessarily finished in bottom position.
(iii) Where promotion would cause a club to exceed its quota of teams in a division the promotion cannot be effective. Furthermore, promotion will not be mandatory when it would result in a club having more than one team in the higher division. In both of these instances the next highest placed eligible team in that division shall be offered the option of promotion.
7. Clubs wishing to withdraw a team(s) shall only withdraw from the lowest division(s) excepting where the League Management Committee is satisfied that there is insufficient strength to support a team(s) in a higher division(s).
8. New teams must apply by 15th August.
9. The operation of the League shall be administered by a League Secretary. The League Secretary shall be assisted by a League Management Committee and by adjudicators who shall be appointed by the League Secretary and subject to the approval of the League Management Committee.
10. The League season shall be from 1st October to 1st May inclusive, unless extended by the League Management Committee.
11. The League will register with the English Chess Federation Game Fee Scheme.
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LEAGUE DEPOSITS
12. All participating clubs shall be affiliated to the Essex Chess Association and shall abide by its rules.
13. All member clubs shall be circulated by the League Secretary by 31st July each year. Deposits of £10 per club, plus £5 for a second team and each additional team, will be debited to each club.
14. Deposits will be used to finance any fines, fees or other levies of £3 or under. Any balance shall be settled at the end of the season.
15. No club shall participate in the League until all deposits and previously outstanding debts have been settled.
16. If a club has not paid its Game Fee to the Treasurer of the Essex Chess Association by 20th December, all matches played subsequently until such time as the Game Fee is received by the Treasurer may be scored as defaulted.
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MATCH ARRANGEMENTS
17. A meeting at which all clubs shall be represented shall be held in September for the purpose of arranging fixtures. Within seven days thereof, each club shall send the League Secretary a list of its arranged fixtures. Any subsequent alteration shall be notified to the League Secretary by both clubs. Clubs are required to complete all fixtures.
18. Where a club has more than one team within the same division, the teams shall play each other as the initial fixture(s) of the season in that division.
19. When a club fails to honour a fixture, the opponents are entitled to claim the match if less than 14 days notice is given. If a minimum 14 days notice is given, the match may be re-arranged but the requesting club shall offer at least two alternative dates and, if necessary, waive choice of venue.
20. Matches shall commence not later than 7.30 p.m. except where mutually agreed to the contrary. The playing time shall be fixed by mutual agreement but shall not be less than 3 hours or, where the League Management Committee has so authorised, 2½ hours.
21. Smoking is not permitted in the playing room during League matches.
22. Notwithstanding Article 12(2)(b) of the FIDE Laws of Chess it is legitimate to bring mobile phones into the playing venue. At the start of each match the Captains should announce that, "All mobile phones must be switched off or set to silent mode for the duration of the match". If a player's mobile phone rings in the playing room(s) during the course of his game, that player shall lose the game. Such game losses must be reported in writing to the League Secretary.
23. The names of all players with their scores and details made of the arrangements made for the continuation of each adjourned game, shall be forwarded to the League Secretary by BOTH clubs concerned within SIX days. If a club has defaulted a board or substituted a player it shall also, within six days, provide the League Secretary with an explanation for the default or substitution.
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PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
24. No player shall be allowed to play in the League for more than one club during the season.
25(a) No player shall be allowed to play in a League match unless the League Secretary has received notification of his name and address at least seven days in advance.
(b) Clubs must ensure that all Essex League players become individual members of the Essex Chess Association. For the purposes of this rule, “Essex League player” is deemed to include:
(i) any player who plays in an Essex League match;
(ii) any nominated player against whom a default is shown in a team list for a League match; and
(iii) any player nominated for the barred list by a club under Rule 26(a) unless the option of substitution is applied for under Rule 26(b) and accepted by the League Management Committee.
26(a) By one week before the fixtures meeting clubs shall send the League Secretary the names and addresses of all players expected to play for them in the League during the season. In addition to this, clubs entering more than one team shall clearly indicate their strongest members expected to play in each team other than their lowest designated team.
(i) For each team entered in Division 1 or 2, 6 names must be indicated.
(ii) For each team entered in a lower Division, 4 names must be indicated.
The players so indicated shall be barred from playing in a lower designated team. Further registrations may be added during the season in accordance with Rule 25.
(b) The League Management Committee shall be empowered to accept, reject or replace the name of any barred player and to add to whichever list it considers appropriate the name of any other player registered for the League. In the case of new members being added to the barred list the option of substitution may be applied for.
(c) If a player was declared by his club as a `barred' player the previous season, but did not play, the Committee will only accept that player as an addition to the nominated list.
(d) A list of barred players shall be circulated by the League Secretary to all clubs, as shall a list of any subsequent amendments.
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RULES OF PLAY
27. Except where amended by these rules, all games shall be played according to the current FIDE laws of chess.
28(a) Match captains or their deputies shall exchange team lists at least five minutes before the agreed starting time and shall thereupon toss for colours; the team winning the toss shall have the WHITE pieces on the odd-numbered boards. A team unable to produce a team list at that time shall be deemed to have lost the toss.
(b) Teams shall be arranged in descending order of playing strength except that:
(i) Current club champions may be played on board 1.
(ii) A substitution may be made within 45 minutes of the agreed starting time if the nominated player on the team list is absent when the substitution is made.
(c) Where a board is defaulted at the time team lists are exchanged, the default must appear below contested games in the board order. All other defaults must be shown against a nominated player on the team list.
(d) When a board is defaulted by the home team without prior notice and adequate explanation to the away captain, the away player may claim a maximum of £5 travelling expenses from the home club. Claims must be made through the match captains. If agreement is not reached or payment is not made, the matter may be referred to the League Secretary within 14 days of the match.
29(a) Chess clocks shall be used. Unless players agree to the procedure set out in Rule 31, the rate of play for the initial session shall be
(i) for matches of less than 3 hours playing time, 30 moves in the first 1¼ hours;
(ii) for matches of at least 3 hours but less than 4 hours playing time, 36 moves in the first 1½ hours;
(iii) for matches of 4 hours playing time or more, 48 moves in the first 2 hours;
and 6 moves per subsequent ¼ hour.
When both players have reached the first time control and more than fifteen minutes playing time remains, upon the request of either player both clocks shall be stopped and the times agreed. Both clocks shall then be turned back 15 minutes. This procedure is to be repeated every subsequent 6 moves provided that more than fifteen minutes playing time remain in that session. All clocks shall be started at the arranged time of commencement of the match.
(b) 45 minutes from the agreed starting time shall be allowed for any player absent, whereafter - subject to Rule 28(b)(ii) - the absentee shall forfeit the game.
(c) When through the negligence of the home club, clocks are started later than the scheduled time, the captain of the visiting team may insist that the lost time be debited on the clocks of the home team. The club responsible will also be reported to the League Management Committee for disciplinary action should their opponents lodge a complaint, or if an unreasonable delay comes to the attention of the League Secretary.
30. At the call of time, which cannot occur until the first time control has been reached, the following shall apply to all unfinished games.
(a) If less than 36 moves have been made with the black pieces and a result cannot be agreed, the game must be resumed in accordance with Rule 30 (f-h).
(b) If 36 moves have been made with the black pieces and a result cannot be agreed, the player with the move shall first seal a move as stated at Rule 30(f) and shall then state his preference for resumption or adjudication.
If both players agree to resume then Rule 30(g-h) shall apply.
If both players agree to adjudication then Rule 30(c) shall apply.
If only one player opts for adjudication then the game shall be resumed and Rule 30(g-h) shall apply, except that the venue shall be at the choice of the player opting for adjudication. A player opting for resumption cannot subsequently request adjudication.
(c) Each position for adjudication, clearly diagrammed (black pieces ringed), signed by the player or official concerned and stating the number of moves and the result claimed, must be sent by both clubs to the League Secretary within 6 days. A fee of £3 will be debited if the claim is rejected.
(d) If only one club complies with part (c) of this rule, its claim will be upheld.
(e) Clubs may appeal, in writing, to the League Secretary against the result of any adjudication within seven days of notification, enclosing £6 deposit, and the line(s) of play upon which the appeal is based. The League Secretary shall inform the opposing club of the appeal and invite that club to submit analysis in support of the original decision. If the appeal is upheld, the deposit will be refunded and the original fee credited.
(f) To seal a move, the player to move shall before stopping his clock record a move within ten minutes of the call of time. The move is considered complete when the move has been recorded, sealed in an envelope and the clock stopped. For the purposes of time control, a sealed move is considered to fall within the second session of play.
(g) On the envelope shall be stated the names and clock times of both players, the sealed move number and the date and venue for resumption. The envelope shall be retained by the opponent of the player who sealed the move. On resumption, the envelope shall be opened in the presence of both players. If the player who retained the sealed move fails to produce the sealed move at resumption, that player shall lose the game, unless the League Secretary shall, in his discretion (and in the light of exceptional circumstances), rule otherwise.
(h) Games to be resumed shall be continued within 25 days on a mutually agreed date and at a time which permits at least 2½ hours play. The venue shall be at the choice of the visiting player, except as stated at Rule 30(b).
(i) On resumption the next time control shall be:
(i) 60 moves in the first 2½ hours, if the initial time control was 1¼ or 1½ hours.
(ii) 72 moves in the first 3 hours, if the initial time control was 2 hours.
and 6 moves per subsequent ¼ hour.
When both players have reached the next time control and more than fifteen minutes playing time remain, upon request of either player both clocks shall be stopped and the times agreed. Both clocks shall then be turned back 15 minutes. This procedure is to be repeated every subsequent 6 moves providing more than fifteen minutes playing time remain in that session. If only one player is present within 45 minutes after the agreed time of resumption, he shall start his opponent's clock. Either player failing to arrive within 45 minutes of the agreed time shall lose the game by default. If both players thus default, the game shall be scored as a loss to both sides.
(j) Either player has the automatic right of adjudication at the conclusion of the second session.
(k) The result of the game shall be reported to the League Secretary by BOTH clubs within six days.
(l) Either player may, but only on good reason, cancel an arrangement to play, provided he gives his opponent at least 24 hours notice, offers at least two alternative dates and waives any choice of venue. Failing these conditions, his opponent is entitled to claim the game.
31. Prior to the start of the match opposing players may agree, if they wish, to a quickplay finish. The time control for a game conducted with a quickplay finish shall be 30 moves in 1¼ hours followed by the addition of fifteen minutes to each player's clock; the game is then to be completed in the total time remaining. The FIDE quickplay finish rules will apply after the initial time control.
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32. In each match, two points shall be scored by the winning team, one point by each team in the event of a draw.
33. If a team withdraws from the League during a season before it has begun half of its scheduled fixtures, the matches played prior to withdrawal shall be treated as null and void for the purposes of League placings, promotion, relegation, cumulative defaults and barring under Rule 26. If a team withdraws after beginning half or more of its fixtures, the results of the fixtures played shall stand, and the remaining matches scored as defaulted to the scheduled opponents.
34. In the event of two or more eligible teams being level on points at the end of the season, the winner of the division and promotion and relegation shall be determined as follows:
(a) Teams shall be placed in descending order of match points scored between (or amongst) themselves. This operation shall be repeated until it has no further effect.
(b) Where teams still remain equal, they shall be placed in descending order of game points in the match or matches between them.
(c) Where teams still remain equal, they shall be placed in ascending order of their board count scores in the match or matches between (or amongst) themselves. Board count, for this purpose, shall be the total of board numbers of games won plus half of the total of board numbers of games drawn.
(d) Where teams still remain equal, they shall be placed according to bottom board elimination in the match or matches between or (amongst) themselves.
(e) Where teams still remain equal then a play off or play offs between the teams concerned shall take place. Should a play off result in a draw then board count and, if necessary, bottom board elimination will be applied. No new registrations shall be permitted for such matches.
35. All trophies shall be presented at the next Annual General Meeting of the Essex Chess Association and engraved with the names of the winning clubs.
36. Subject to the discretion of the League Management Committee, teams will be penalised for defaulted games during a season as follows:
Division 1 and 2 teams - deduction of two points for the first eight games defaulted and thereafter deduction of one point for every four games defaulted.
All other divisions - deduction of two points for the first six games defaulted and thereafter deduction of one point for every three games defaulted.
Ineligible players and games defaulted on resumption count as defaults for cumulative purposes.
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DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
37(a) A club may protest against the alleged commission of any breach of the foregoing rules. Details must be sent in writing to the League Secretary within seven days of its discovery.
(b) In connection with any offence reported to him or discovered by him, the League Secretary shall take such action as lies within his authority and, if necessary, refer the matter to the League Management Committee for decision.
38(a) The League Secretary shall be empowered to impose the following penalties.
(i) a fine of £3 for each infringement of Rule 23;
(ii) the scoring of a loss to any player who infringes any of Rules 24 to 30, and the award of the game to his opponent, if eligible;
(iii) any other sanction authorised under powers delegated by the League Management Committee.
and shall refer persistent offenders to the League Management Committee.
(b) A club may appeal against any decision of the League Secretary under Rule 37(b) by writing to the League Secretary within 14 days of notification. The appeal shall be referred to the League Management Committee, whose decision shall be final.
39(a) For each infringement of the rules, the League Management Committee shall be empowered to impose the following MAXIMUM penalties:
(i) the deduction of two match points from the offending team's score, and/or
(ii) the suspension of a player or match official from participating in the League until the end of the season, and/or
(iii) the imposition of a fine of £15,
or such lesser penalties as it determines, and shall recommend any greater or additional penalty to the Executive Committee of the Essex Chess Association.
(b) In connection with any offence referred to the League Management Committee, the club(s) involved shall have the right of non-voting representation.
40. The League Management Committee shall rule upon any matter not covered by the foregoing rules.
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RULE AMENDMENTS
41. Any alteration of or addition to these rules shall be considered by the General Purposes Committee of the Essex Chess Association, to whom due notice shall have been given and whose recommendations thereon shall be passed to the Association's Executive Committee for decision.
42. All proposals for alterations of or additions to these rules must be submitted to the League Secretary who will refer them to the League Management Committee for consideration, prior to placing them before the General Purposes Committee. Existing rules subsequently affected by alterations or additions agreed at a General Purposes Committee meeting can be considered for amendment by that same General Purposes Committee. All proposals must be received by the League Secretary by 1st March in order for such alterations or additions, if approved, to become effective for the following season.
As amended by the Executive following the 31st May 2007 GPC meeting.
