WINTER LEAGUE RULES 2024/25

 

 

1. FORMAT

a. The top three divisions (Championship, Premiership, Major) are a double round all-play-all, i.e. players will play each other once with the white pieces and once with the black pieces.

b. The fourth division (First Class) is a quadruple round all-play-all i.e. players will play each other twice with the white pieces and twice with the black pieces.

c. Each player plays all the other players in the division.

d. Colour choice should be decided in a manner acceptable to both players.

2. ALLOCATION TO DIVISION

Based on past performances, players are allocated to a division of the league containing players of a similar strength where possible. Allocation is at the discretion of the Tournament Secretary.

3. VENUE

No internal tournament games may be played away from the club except under the most exceptional circumstances. This must be sanctioned in advance by the Committee of the club in accordance with Clause 26 of the Constitution.

4. DATES OF COMPETITION

The first club night on which games may be played is Monday 2 September 2024. The last club night on which games may be played is Monday 28 April 2025.

5. START TIME

No game may be started after 20:00 hours.

6. TIME CONTROLS

a. 35 moves must be played in the first 1 hour and 15 minutes and then all remaining moves in the next fifteen minutes.

b. When 35 moves have been made, any time remaining of the 1 hour 15 minutes will be added to the 15 minutes. For example if, after 35 moves you have 10 minutes left, this will be added to the 15 minutes i.e. you have 25 minutes remaining to complete all your moves.

7. MARKING RESULTS

a. The result of each game must be entered on the results sheet. This is the most important as this sheet is used for submission of ECF ratings and for updating the internal league tables on the club website.

b. The winner of the game should be responsible for entering the result on the results sheet. For a draw, the players should agree who will be responsible for entering the result.

c. The result should be entered on the results sheet on the night of the game. If the result is not entered on the results sheet within a week from the end of the game, points for that game will be not be included in the competition.

d. The cross-table may also be filled in.

8. FAILURE TO PLAY A GAME

a. A challenger should offer alternative dates to his/her opponent and they should reach an agreement.

b. If a player fails to appear for the game without giving his/her opponent advance notice, on the agreed date, this breach can be reported to the Tournament Secretary who will investigate the reason(s) for the failure to appear and arrange an alternative date to the satisfaction of both players.

c. If a player fails to appear for the game on the agreed second date without good reason, the game will be awarded to the player who appeared.

9. TIED PLACES

In the event of a tie for places in any division, the following tie-breaks will be used, in this order:

a. Head-to-head record of tied players. If more than two players are tied on the same number of head-to-head points, the sum of the scores from these encounters is used.

b. Number of wins.

c. Number of wins with the black pieces.

d. Neustadtl Sonneborn–Berger score, calculated by adding the sum of the scores of the players they have defeated to half the sum of the scores of those they have drawn against.

10. PROMOTION AND RELEGATION

a. Promotion to divisions will be as follows:

i. On completion of the second division (Premiership), the top two players will be promoted to the first division (Championship) for the following season.

ii. A ‘play-off’ knockout competition will be held for players finishing in 3rd to 10th places in the second division (Premiership), with the winner also promoted to the first division (Championship) for the following season.

iii. On completion of the third division (Major), the top two players will be promoted to the second division (Premiership) for the following season.

iv. A ‘play-off’ knockout competition will be held for players finishing in 3rd to 6th places in the third division (Major), with the winner also promoted to the second division (Premiership) for the following season.

v. On completion of the fourth division (First Class), the top two players will be promoted to the third division (Major) for the following season.

vi. A ‘play-off’ knockout competition will be held for players finishing in 3rd to 6th places in the fourth division (First Class), with the winner also promoted to the third division (Major) for the following season.

b. Relegation from divisions will be as follows:

i. On the completion of the first division (Championship), all players finishing below 15th place will be relegated to the second division (Premiership) for the following season.

ii. On completion of the second division (Premiership), all players below 18th place will be relegated to the third division (Major) for the following season.

iii. On completion of the third division (Major), all players below 15th place will be relegated to the fourth division (First Class) for the following season.

11. SABBATICALS

a. A member can opt not to play in the internal league for one season and will be allowed to re-take his/her place in the same division the following season.

b. This option is not available for members who have qualified for promotion to a higher division for the season in question.

12. PROHIBITIONS

a. Claiming points when games have not been played is forbidden. Any such infraction will result in instant disqualification and all the player’s previous results in that season to date being expunged.

b. The offering of draws over the telephone or by any other means without a game being played is strictly forbidden. Any such infraction will result in instant disqualification and all the player’s previous results in that season to date being expunged.

13. APPLICATION OF RULES

The Tournament Secretary is required to apply these rules with tact and consistency. In the event of a dispute, the Tournament Secretary or, in his/her absence, another member of the committee will adjudicate.

14. RIGHT OF APPEAL

a. Following consultation regarding a grievance, any player may appeal against the Tournament Secretary’s decision.

b. An Appeals Committee will be convened and consist of the club President, Secretary and Captain. The decision of the Appeals Committee will be final.

 

Graham Heath

Tournament Secretary

August 2024