Rules of Play for Inter-Club Matches
[Rules of Play] [Appendix]
[Adjournments] [Adjudications] [__Addenda 1_] [_Addenda 2_] [Quickplay Finishes]
[Rules of Play] [Appendix] [Adjournments] [Adjudications] [Players on Call] [Interruptions
] [Quickplay Finishes]
Contents
. 1 Results Notification
. 2 Team Size
Match Colours
Substitutes
. 3 Scoring
Tie Breaking
Match Points
. 4 Further Tie Breaking
. 5 League and Divisions
League Format
Promotion and Relegation
. 6 Time
. 7 Player's Game and Match Restrictions
.8 Arrangement of Fixtures
.9 Postponements and Rearrangements
10 Default of Games
11 Withdrawals
12 Suspensions
13 Adjournments and Adjudications
Preamble
All games shall be played in accordance with the official code of the Laws of Chess as compiled by the International Chess Federation. In the event of a contradiction between FIDE rules and League rules, the League rules shall apply. Smoking is prohibited within the playing room for all EGCA events. Players will be allowed to take mobiles into the playing room, but are requested where possible to have ring-tones switched off, and should not make outgoing calls during a match. Fixture lists, as sent to all clubs by the Executive Director shall contain no fixtures later than 30th April. The Executive Director may use his discretion in any reference to fixed dates.times in respect of any student teams.
Results must be notified to the executive director of the league within 7 days of the match either by a result card or by email. Where email is used, the result card should be kept until the AGM for verification purposes. The result card should be signed by both captains and indicate which team it came from by circling the team name. Failure to notify the executive director of the result will result in 3 penalty points to the team concerned.
Each match shall be played over 5 boards.
Match Colours
The away team shall take white on the odd numbered boards.
Substitutes
If a player fails to arrive, a substitute may be nominated up to one hour
after the starting time.
Positions in the League shall be decided on game points.
Tie Breaking
When two teams finish with equal game points, the ties shall be resolved in favour of the team with the greater number of match points.
Match Points
Match points shall be one for a win, and half for a draw.
If ties are still unresolved, they shall be resolved by
(a) match points between the teams involved
(b) game points between the teams involved
(c) where 3 or more teams tie on game points and match points, ties shall be resolved by
the Executive Committee of the League, whose decision shall be final.
5 Leagues and Divisions
(a) League Format
The League shall consist of Divisions of ten teams who shall play each other on an all-play-all home and away basis except in the lowest Division where the Executive Director will use his discretion.
(b) Promotion and Relegation
Promotion and relegation shall be on the basis of three up and three down.
(c) Promotion and Relegation
Each season, at least one team will be relegated from each division except the lowest. Numbers shall be made up where necessary by first reducing relegation places to one team, then by increasing promotion places.
(d) Notification For New Teams
New teams who wish to participate in the league should be notified to the executive director 4 weeks before the start of the season.
6 Time
(a) Minimum Length of Play
The minimum time of play in each unfinished game shall be two and a half hours.
(b) Rate of Play
In the first session, the rate of play shall be 35 moves in 75 minutes, and 7 moves every 15 minutes thereafter; of if both teams agree, the first time control may be 42 moves in every 90 minutes. Whenever a time control is reached, both clocks must be turned back 15 minutes.
(c) QuickPlay
If both players are in agreement, their game may be played to a conclusion
in one session in accordance with the following and the East Glamorgan Rules Governing
Quickplay Finishes;-
either
(i) The rate of play shall be 30 moves in 60 minutes after which both clocks shall be
turned back 15 minutes for all remaining moves
or
(ii) All moves shall be completed in 75 minutes with no time control at 30 moves.
In case of disagreement about the time limits for a quickplay finish, (ii) should be
applied.
(d) Rate of Play in May
Any match that is rearranged into May must be played to a finish on the night, the time limit to be 75 minutes for all moves.
(e) Starting Time
Clocks must be started at the time specified by the home team as the latest time for starting, as per fixture list. At the agreement of both sides, matches may start at other than the scheduled starting time.
(f) Starting Time
Clocks, whether available or not, shall be deemed to have started at the
time stated on the fixture list, and shall be so adjusted to penalise the team causing the
delay.
7 Player's Team and Game Restrictions
(a) Club Restriction
Players shall not play for more than on club in Association League matches in one season except by permission of the Executive Director in consultation with the Chairman and Secretary. (See also Appendices 1-3)
(b) Nominations
(i) Nominations
Clubs with more than one club in the League must send to the Executive Director, before the first match, lists of 4 nominated players for each team except the two lowest, and a list of 3 nominated players for the next to lowest team.
(ii) Games Requirement
Nominated players or their replacements shall be required to play at least
6 games between them in a season in the League for their team. In the lowest division
where the number of matches is less than the 18 matches in other divisions, the number of
games required to be played by a nominated player shall be reduced pro-rata to the number
of matches, with any resultant fraction disregarded.
For each game less than the required number that the nominated player or his replacement
fails to play whilst nominated, 3 penalty points will be added
to that teams record.
(iii) Replacements
Where a nominated player becomes insufficiently available during the course of a season to fulfil the requirement in (ii), a substitute must be nominated. Should the previously nominated player become available later in the season that player may not play for a lower ranked team than that for which he was originally nominated.
(iv) Nominated Player Restriction - a
A player nominated for a higher team cannot play for a lower team.
(v) Nominated Player Restriction - b
A nominated player cannot play against the team for which he is nominated
(vi) Team Seniority
Team seniority will be decided by the position in the League at the end of the previous season, unless stated by the club secretary before the season starts.
(vii) Notification of Nominations
A list of nominated players will either be sent to club secretaries or published on an appropriate website.
(c) Game Numbers Restriction
Players with a grade under 1400 may play an unlimited number of games for their club in the league, For other players the maximum number of games that a player can play in the league shall be 24. In exceptional circumstances the Executive Director may allow more games to be played.
A player can play a maximum of 3 games against any opposing team in one season. In exceptional circumstances the executive director may allow more games to be played.
(d) Match and Game Restriction
No player may play in two matches which are running concurrently, or be in play in two games simultaneously.
(e) (i)Team Ordering
Team captains will arrange players within teams in order of playing
strength. A player's grade shall be deemed to reflect his playing strength within a
tolerance of 100 points for an adult and 150 points for a junior U-18 on 1st September.
(ii) Prolonged absence from active play
Where a player has been inactive for a period of time (i.e. played no recorded league, tournament or FIDE rated games) the following shall apply for the purpose of estimating their grade with regard to positioning them in a team in accordance with Rule 7(e)(i) :-
(f) Pre-match protocol
When team lists are exchanged, a captain whose team members are not all present may ask the opposing captain whether certain specified player(s) play on any board(s) allowed by EG grading restrictions, or on the lowest board(s). The opposing captain shall make this decision and the Executive Director informed of this. In this event no penalty points for infringement of either rule 7e or 10b by the specified player(s) will be applied.
(g) Penalties
For each trangression of rule 7 where a game has
been played, the game will be treated as a default; the actual game result will, however,
be submitted for grading. If the erring side has not been penalised by the foregoing, one
penalty point is added to the team's record.
8 Arrangement of Fixtures
a. Dates
The dates of fixture shall be determined by the executive director, or such other person or officer of the Association as the Executive Committee may appoint, within the league season, having regard to any unsuitable dates which may previously have been notified by club representatives.
b. Issue of Fixture Lists
A list of fixtures shall be communicated to each club not less than 14 days before the first match of each team in each division.
c. Teams from Same Club
Where two or more teams from the same club play in the same division, the club's two highest ranking teams shall meet within the first three rounds of the season.
d. Pre Season Rearrangements
The postponement and rearrangement rules shall not apply to the general amicable rearrangement of fixtures which commonly takes place prior to the beginning of the season when clubs need to square the proposed timetable with the availability of premises. The executive director must however be informed of such rearrangements or else penalty points will be imposed.
9 Postponements and Rearrangements
(a) Permission
Permission for postponement must be obtained from the executive director whose decision shall be final. A written request must be received by the executive director at least 10 days prior to the match. If permission is not given and the team fails to honour the fixture, then they will be deemed to have defaulted the match.
(b) Public Holidays
Matches arranged on a public holiday must be rearranged at the request of either team.
(c) Rearrangements
If a match is postponed, the team not seeking the postponement must, within 3 weeks of the notice to postpone, offer two reasonable dates in writing, to both the contact with their opponents and the Executive Director. These dates must fall within 7 weeks of the original match date, or by 21th May whichever is the sooner. The opposing team shall accept one of the dates offered, when the match must be played, except in the circumstances in (d).
(d) Short Notice Postponements
Any club wishing to postpone a match more than 24 hours before the
scheduled date and not covered by 9a/b must convince the executive director that depending
upon the reason given:-
(i) All reasonable efforts to field a team for a match have failed (ie there are no more
than 2 players available).
(ii) The reasons for postponement are justifiable (ie major illness, loss of only driver).
(iii) All alternatives have been exhausted (ie alternative venues have been sought,
alternative methods of transport have been investigated).
Invalid Short Notice
The inability to field the strongest team (or regular team) shall NOT be considered a reason for postponement.
Short Notice Prior Agreement
If possible, the two clubs should reach agreement before contacting the
executive director. If there is a dispute then the executive director shall make a ruling
on the matter as presented to him (her) at the time. This ruling shall stand as to whether
the match is postponed.
Appeals against this should be made through the proper channels according to the rules of
the association - where any penalty may be subsequently invoked.
The executive director reserves the right to deny permission for a postponement despite
any agreement between the two parties involved.
Emergency Postponements
Requests for postponement at less than 24 hours notice may be allowed in
exceptional circumstances beyond the control of the teams involved (eg poor weather
conditions).
All reasonable efforts must be made to contact the opposing team/club (including leaving a
message at their venue if possible) and the executive director.
In any case the team postponing must write to the executive director and the opposing club
secretary with their reasons, posted within 3 days.
ANY TEAM SEEKING POSTPONEMENT MUST BE PREPARED TO SHOW SUPPORTING EVIDENCE TO THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IF REQUESTED.
Each case will be dealt on its merits.
Failure to show without permission, may result in a penalty.
10 Default of Games
(a) Effect on Counts
When a team defaults a board in a match, the opponents must name a player on that board to score the game point. The game will not count towards a player's total of games played in the season as required in rule 7 c, but will count towards the number of games a nominated player must play in a season as required in rule 7 b(ii).
(b) Penalties
(i) Penalty Free Defaults
Ateam may default up to 3 consecutive boards from the bottom upwards without incurring any penalty.
(ii) Penalty Points
When a team defaults a board in contradiction to (i) above (ie not the highest available), then the penalty points shall be 3 for defaulting board 1, 2 for defaulting board 2 or 3, 1 for defaulting board 4.
(iii) Top Board Defaults
A team defaulting any two of the top three boards in a match on more than one occasion is liable to a penalty of 4 game points deducted from that team's game point total at the end of the season.
(iv) 3 Defaults = 1 Game Point
When the penalty total equals 3, then 1 game point will be deducted from their game point score. For every further 3 points added to the penalty total, a further 1 game point will be deducted.
(c) Missed Fixtures
If a team fails to honour a fixture, then:-
(i) Penalty
Penalty points equal to the number defaults will be added to the team's penalty record.
(ii) Rearrangement
The non-offending team shall, within one week, contact the executive director who, after consultation, will designate the venue and two dates on which the match must be played.
(iii) Failure to Honour Rearrangement
If the offending team fails to honour the rearranged fixture, they will be deemed to have defaulted two matches with consequent penalty.
A team defaulting three matches will be deemed to have withdrawn from the
League, and that team's results for the season will be annulled, except where a team has
played at least one match against every other team in that division, in which case the
result of the first match only against every other team will stand.
A team expelled from the League will be treated in like manner.
The executive committee of the League has the right to suspend any team or person or deal with any infringment of League rules and impose amy penalty they think appropriate. The team or person suspended or penalised must be given the reasons for the decision, and shall have the right to appeal to the full committee within 14 days.
13 Adjournments and Adjudications
Options
At the call of time, the players must, without stopping the clocks decide
whether to:-
(a) agree a result,
(b) send the game in for adjudication, in accordance with East Glamorgan adjudication
procedures' or
(c) adjourn till a later date, in accordance with East Glamorgan Chess Association rules
governing continuation of games.
Note: It was pointed out at a committee meeting 17th April 1986 that if a player on
move is waiting for a decision from his opponent about playing on, he should seal his next
move whilst waiting - this move not counting should the game go for adjudication.
Who decides?
(d) If neither player declares his intentions immediately, the decision
whether to adjourn or to adjudicate is to be made first by the player whose turn it is to
move, and subsequently by the opponent.
Draw Proposal
(e) Where players are not adjourning, a proposal of a draw at the call of time stands until the opponent decides after looking at the gane whether to accept or proceed to adjudication with a claim for a win.