Team Activities
County Championships
The Association runs teams in the SCCU County Championships, all ratiing-limited sections, and – for those teams which qualify from the SCCU competitions – the ECF national stage).
Essex League
The Essex Chess League has been in being since 1902-03. Currently, the League comprises three Divisions and a “Minor” competition. Board numbers: Division 1, 8 boards, Division 2, 6 boards; Division 3, 5 boards; Minor competition, 4 boards.
Team Blitz
This is an ECA interal event, played on a summer Sunday morning at the end of June. Teams of four representing an Essex Club, playing blitz chess at a minimum of seven minutes on each clock.
Summer Rapid Team Knockout
First round in June, Final usually in September. Teams of five representing Essex Clubs, Schools, or other organisation. All teams play in Round 1. Plate competition for R1 losers. Each match comprises two rounds of G20+10 Rapid chess.
Individual Activities
Blitz and Rapid
These two “speed” events are held on the same day, at Wanstead.
The Blitz Championship is held in the morning at a Rate of play of 5 minutes + 2 seconds per move.
The Rapid Championship is held in the afternoon at a rate of play of 15 minutes + 5 seconds per move.
Lightning
The Essex Lightning Championship is held on the afternoon of the same day as the Team Blitz. Lightning chess is played with a buzzer, not a clock. The buzzer sounds every 10 seconds and the player on move must play their next move while the buzzer sounds; not before, not after..