NB While over-the-board (“OTB”) chess is on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Association is organising alternative activities in online chess on chess.com. The competitions described below, are all OTB events, which will resume when OTB chess resumes.
Blitz
The Essex Blitz Championship is held in September at Wanstead House. Swiss pairing. Rate of play: 5 minutes + 4 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.
Rapid
The Essex Rapid is held at Writtle, late June or early July. Six rounds, Swiss pairing, G20+10. The Rapid is open to all Essex, not simply Essex Chess Association members. However, non-members pay a small surcharge on top of the normal Entry Fee. Sections subject to entry, but generally Open, Major, Minor.