1.3.f Reference to the inter-club Jamboree (now defunct) replaced by team rapidplay

1.3 The following competitions shall be held:-

a) an inter-club league competition organised in divisions.

b) an Open club knock-out competition (the Russell Trophy).

c) an Under 140 club knock-out competition (the Sharp Trophy).

f) an inter-club team rapidplay tournament (the Old Puller Cup).

g) an individual County Major Championship (the Capel Cup).

h) an individual County Minor Championship (the Burn Cup).

The Executive Committee shall be empowered to amend this list of events as is deemed appropriate.

1.4 Disputes between two clubs and complaints of infringement of the Closed Competition Rules shall be investigated by the Rules Committee (see Section 11), which shall have power to take such action as it sees fit.

2.1.1 The inter-club league shall be organised into divisions with a one-up/one-down promotion and relegation scheme at the end of each season.

2.1.2 However, if there is an imbalance in the numbers of teams in the divisions, the League Secretary has the authority to move teams between divisions and change the number of divisions.

2.1.3 If the League Secretary wishes to alter the League structure, then those teams directly affected by the proposed changes must be consulted. The changes must then be ratified by the Executive Committee prior to the start of the season.

2.1.4 Clubs entering more than one team shall number them consecutively. The strongest team shall be designated '1 'and higher numbers shall be allocated to the lower (weaker) teams.

2.1.5 The number of players in each team shall be five.

2.1.6 Teams shall play in the order of their current playing strength.

2.1.7 If there is a tie in a division, affecting promotion or relegation, the winner shall be the team with the highest game point total. There shall be a play-off if the game points are equal.

2.1.8 If there is a tie in a play-off, the winner shall be the team with the lower board count (total of board numbers of won games). If there is still a tie, the elimination rule shall apply, starting from the bottom board. If all games are drawn, the match shall be replayed.

2.1.9 The match results of a team withdrawing from the league during the playing season will be included in determining promotion and relegation at the end of the season as follows:

a) if all matches are played, all points count normally

b) if at least one match against all other teams has been played, the results of the first fixture played shall count

c) if the withdrawer has not played all other teams once, zero match points

2.2.1 Guidelines for the admission of new teams are as follows:

2.2.2 The League Secretary shall, at the outset of each season, declare two dates for the receipt of applications from teams seeking entry.The first date shall apply to teams seeking entry to any division other than the bottom division. The second date shall apply to teams seeking entry to the bottom division.

2.2.3 Teams seeking entry must state the division they favour and provide a list of the intended team players, their current grades and the names of the clubs (if any) for whom they played the previous season. The League Secretary shall pass this information to all clubs together with a closing date for responses, and shall also recommend an appropriate division for the new team.

2.3.1 The League Secretary shall issue a Provisional Fixture List for comment.

2.3.2 After every club has been given an opportunity of commenting on the Provisional Fixture List, the League Secretary shall issue a Final Fixture List (but only after complying with the procedures defined in Section 2.2).

2.3.3 Amendments to the Final Fixture List may only be made in the case of errors, or by agreement of the Executive Committee.

2.3.4 The Fixture List shall be ratified by the Executive Committee at the Fixtures Meeting at the start of the season.

2.4.1 Matches shall normally be played on the night specified in the Fixture List. If a club is unable, or unwilling to play the match on the specified date, a postponement must be sought following the procedures in Section 2.5.

2.4.2 The ascertainable results of any league match shall be submitted by both match captains to the League Secretary within seven days of the match being played. If only one captain submits the match result within this period that result shall apply. If both captains fail to submit the match result within this period the match shall be double defaulted.

2.5.1 Postponement of a match must be by agreement of both team captains. If one captain requests a postponement, and the other refuses, the match must be played on the scheduled date.

2.5.2 Exceptionally, if a team is unable to play on the specified date through circumstances beyond its control, the match may be postponed. Examples of "exceptional circumstances" are:-

2.5.3 In the case of a postponement, the League Secretary shall be notified of the rearranged date in writing by both team captains within twenty-one days. The rearranged date must be before the end of May. Infringement of the foregoing shall result in the double default of the match.

2.6.1 A player may choose to play for any club in the competition in a season but once having played for that club shall be restricted to that club for that season.

2.6.2 Prior to the Fixtures Meeting at the start of the season, all clubs must nominate the team for which each of their members will play. Clubs must nominate at least five players for each of their teams. These players must play for the appropriate team during the season. If a new player joins a club after the start of the season, he must be nominated for a team before his first match.

2.6.3 A player may only play for his nominated team or the next lower numbered team during the season. If the player plays five times for the lower numbered team, he may only play for that team for the rest of the season.

2.6.4 The penalty for a team who contravenes 2.6.1-3 above shall be the default of the game played by the ineligible player, and the deduction of an additional game point for each offence from the score of the offending team.

2.6.5 When a player is accepted by the Rules Committee for downwards renomination, the games already played that season for his original nominated team shall stand. The player will be deemed to have played up in each case and Rule 2.6.3 shall apply. If upon renomination the limit specified by Rule 2.6.3 has already been exceeded then the play-up total will be set to the maximum permitted, ie. 4 games.

3.1 There shall be an inter-club knockout competition with no grade limit. The winner of this competition shall hold the Russell Trophy for one year.

3.2 There shall be an inter-club knockout competition for players graded less than 140. The winner of this competition shall hold the Sharp Trophy for one year.

3.5 The completion date for each round shall be at the discretion of the organiser.

3.6 Clubs may only enter one team for each competition.

3.7 Players must play for a club of which they are bona-fide, registered members.

3.8 The penalty for playing a player who is not a registered member of the club, or a player above the grading limit, shall be the default of the game.

3.9 The number of players in the Open and Under 140 shall be six. The number of players in the Under 125 shall be five. The number of players in the Under 100 shall be four.

3.10 Teams shall play in the order of their current playing strength.

3.11 The ascertainable results of any Knockout Competition shall be submitted to the appropriate Tournament Secretary by both match captains within seven days. If the Tournament Secretary has not received the match result from either captain within seven days of the deadline for that result, then the teams will be double defaulted.

3.12 If there is a tie, the winner shall be the team with the lower board count (total of board numbers of won games). If there is still a tie, the elimination rule shall apply, starting from the bottom board. If all games are drawn, the match shall be replayed.

4.1 Matches shall be started not later than 19.45 hours. If the home team has not provided full playing facilities by 19.45 hours, the clocks of the home team shall be advanced by the amount of the delay beyond 19.45; if the match cannot be started before 20.45 hours for this reason, the match shall be scored to the visiting team by default.

4.2 Before the time agreed for play to begin, the captains (or their deputies) shall exchange lists, agree whether Quick-Play finishes will be used (see 5.2 below), agree the time for cessation of play, and lastly toss for the move. The winner of the toss shall have white on the odd numbered boards.

4.3 Clocks shall be started for the player having the move at the time fixed for commencement of play. If a player be absent at the end of the first hour after the commencement of play, the other player (if present) shall score the game unless a substitute has been put in before this time. If neither of a pair be present, the game shall be scored as a loss for both players. A clock, once started, shall not be stopped or put back except in compliance with the laws of chess.

5.1 The rate of play shall be thirty-five moves in one-and-a-quarter (1¼) hours. After 35 moves have been made, play will continue at seven moves each quarter hour until the scheduled finish time.

5.2 Alternatively, but only if both captains (or their deputies) agree, a rate of play of all moves in 80 minutes may be used. If a longer playing session is possible, then an extension to the time available for both players to complete their moves may be agreed. (NB. This is not Rapidplay. Standard slowplay rules of chess apply.)

5.3 If the normal rate of play (rule 5.1) is being used for the match, individual players may (with their captain’s consent) agree with their opponents to use the rate of play in rule 5.2 instead. Also, if the match is being played using the time control in rule 5.2, individual players may (with their captain’s consent) agree to use the rate in rule 5.1 instead.

5.4 All matches played after the end of May must be played to a finish using the time control in rule 5.2.

5.5 All inter-club knockout matches must be played to a finish using the time control in rule 5.2.

6.1 At the scheduled finish time a sealed move must be made before the clocks are stopped (Quickplay finishes excepted). The player making the sealed move must comply with the next 15-minute time control (eg. at move 42, 49, 56, ...)

6.2 The procedure for sealing a move is as follows: the player having the move must record the position on a scoresheet, write the move in unambiguous notation on that scoresheet, put the scoresheet in an envelope, seal the envelope and then stop the clocks. Until the player has stopped the clocks, that player retains the right to change the sealed move. If the player makes the said move on the chessboard, then this same move must be written on the scoresheet as the sealed move. The sealed move must be completed at least 5 minutes before the scheduled closure of the match venue.

6.3 Upon the envelope shall be indicated:-

a) the names of the players,

b) the position immediately before the sealed move,

c) the time used by each player,

d) the name of the player who has sealed the move.

e) the number of moves made

6.4 The move shall be sealed in an envelope signed by both players. There must be no amendment to the sealed move.

6.5 The player "at home" for the first session must decide first whether or not to play-on. If the "at home" player does not wish to play-on, then the "away" player must decide whether or not to play-on. Once a player has made a decision not to play-on, then that decision may not be changed subsequently.

6.6 Once clocks have been stopped, the game is adjourned and must be settled as follows:-

a) by agreement between the players;

b) by agreement between the match captains;

c) at the request of either player to play-on. A player can only insist on playing-on provided this was stated before clocks were stopped and a sealed move was made.

d) If after twenty-one days no result has been obtained by any of these methods, and neither player is insisting on playing-on, then the game must be sent for adjudication as described in Section 8.

6.7 The deliberations of the players shall be recorded on the results cards as follows:

A = player wishes to adjudicate

P = player wishes to play on

U = player has not decided yet

7.1 The player who sealed the move shall keep the move and is responsible for producing it at the date scheduled for resumption.

7.2 The player wishing to play-on must travel to the home venue of the other player.

7.3 If a player elects to play-on at the end of the first session, but subsequently wishes to have the game adjudicated, then his opponent may insist on playing-on, but must travel. If both players agree subsequently to have the game adjudicated, then the sealed move is destroyed.

7.4 The players must agree a date for the resumption of play within 14 days. The player who is "at home" must offer at least two dates for the resumption. The game must be resumed within 28 days of the adjournment. The player who is "at home" shall be responsible for providing equipment on the date agreed for resumption. The time for resumption shall be 7.45 pm unless otherwise agreed by the players in writing.

7.5 When the game is resumed, the position immediately before the sealed move shall be set up on the chessboard, and the time used by each player when the game was adjourned shall be indicated on the clocks. The envelope shall be opened only when both players are present. The sealed move shall be made on the board and the clock of the player then on move shall be started. Should either player not be present at the time agreed for resumption then their clock shall be started and the sealed move only played on their arrival.

7.6 If (when opened) the sealed move is found to be illegal or ambiguous, then the player sealing the move shall lose the game. If the sealed move has been lost or is not intact then the player responsible for keeping the sealed move shall lose the game.

7.7 In the second session there shall be a single time control after 63 moves at 2¼ hours each, after which both clocks shall be setback 15 minutes for the completion of the game (Quick-Play finish). NB the first time control for the second session is at move 63 whether or not intermediate time controls were played during the first session (thus the time controls at moves 42, 49 and 56 do not apply for the second session). BCF quick-play finish rules will apply after move 63.

8.1 A position for adjudication shall be sent within twenty-two days of the match to the relevant Secretary, together with analysis if so desired and the appropriate fee. If the Secretary only receives one claim, then the Secretary has the discretion to accept that claim.

8.2 An appeal against adjudication shall use the following procedure:

9.1 There shall be an inter-club team quickplay competition. The winner of this competition shall hold the old Puller Cup for one year.

9.2 The date for the competition shall be set by the appropriate officer. Clubs wishing to enter must notify this officer by the date set for entries.

9.4 Clubs may enter as many teams as they wish.

9.5 The number of players in each team shall be four.

9.6 Teams shall play in the order of their current playing strength.

9.7 The rate of play shall be all the moves in 30 minutes (BCF Rapid-Play rules apply).

9.8 The winner of the Cup shall be the team with the greatest number of game points from its four matches. If there is a tie, the winner shall be the team with the higher sum of progressive scores. If there is still a tie, the winner shall be the team with the higher sum of opponents scores. If the teams are still tied then the Cup shall be shared.

10.1 The county individual major and minor tournaments shall be for the Capel and Burn Cups. The Burn Cup, the individual minor trophy, shall have a grade limit of under 160.

10.2 The format of the competitions shall be at the discretion of the Tournament Secretary. The time limit in each competition shall also be at the discretion of the Tournament Secretary.

10.3 The Tournament Secretary shall be empowered to fix the fees for each Competition.Entries must be submitted to the Tournament Secretary with the appropriate entry fee for each competition entered.

10.4 The winners of the Capel and Burn Cups shall be entitled to hold the trophy for a period of one year from the Annual General Meeting at which they were presented. The trophies shall be returned at the following Annual General Meeting.

10.5 The winner of the Capel Cup, as County Champion, shall be nominated to play as Hertfordshire representative in the Southern Counties Chess Union individual championships for the following season. If the Capel Cup winner does not wish to be nominated, the runner-up shall be nominated, or, if neither player wishes to be nominated, the nomination shall be at the discretion of the Executive Committee. If the nominated player is the County Champion then the player's entry fee shall be paid by the Association.

11.1 If a club wishes to request a relaxation of the closed competition rules, then the club may appeal to the Rules Committee. This appeal shall be sent in writing to the County Secretary accompanied by the appropriate fee.

11.2 Similarly, if there is a dispute over any of the foregoing Closed Competition Rules between two clubs, then both clubs shall send written evidence to the County Secretary accompanied by the appropriate fee. The clubs must also send copies of their evidence to each other. Details of a dispute must be sent to the County Secretary within three weeks of the match.

11.3 The fee shall be the same as that for adjudications. In the case of requests for relaxation of the rules, it will be non- returnable. In the case of disputes, the club in whose favour the dispute is settled, shall have their fee returned.

11.4 The County Secretary shall convene a Rules Committee meeting within 21 days of receiving the written request.

11.5 The Rules Committee panel shall consist of at least three Officers of the Association.

11.6 The County Secretary shall send a written reply to the appeal giving the reasons for the decision.

11.7 The County Secretary shall report on Rules Committee meeting at the next Executive Committee Meeting.

11.8 A club may appeal against the decision of the Rules Committee. This will be dealt with by the Executive Committee at their next Meeting.

12.1 The fee for an adjudication is £6. The adjudication appeal fee is £11.

12.2 The fee for requests for renomination is £6 (NB. one request can cover several players)