59 Wordsworth Road
High Wycombe
HP11 2UR
August 2004
Applications are now invited for the new season’s Individual Tournament.
As usual, the competition will be divided into sections of about 7 to 9 players, taking into account those promoted or relegated last season, withdrawals, and new entrants. The latter will be placed according to grading insofar as vacancies exist, but will have to fight their way up if they don’t.
The competition will be based on all-play-all in each section and Quick-play finishes will apply to all games. A synopsis of the essential rules is on the back of this form. Have a good look at these – it might prevent problems!
The attention of new entrants is drawn to the need to provide their own transport and playing facilities (venue, board, pieces and chess clock), as well as keeping to the playing schedule (available at the end of October) and notifying the Controller promptly of results.
Entry fee and Prize money have been increased for the new season to:
Entry fee: £6.50 should accompany the tear-off entry slip below, and should reach me by the end of the first full week of October. I will accept cash, but please make cheques payable to “Bucks County Chess Association”.
Fred Day – Controller
Tel: 01494 522 713
e-mail: freday at onetel.com
_.______________________________________________________________________
I enclose entry fee (£6.50) cash/cheque (payable to BCCA) Date___________
Full Name______________________________________ BCF Grade_____________
Address______________________________ Telephone (home)__________________ ______________________________ (work)___________________ ______________________________ Post Code____________________ e-mail*(home)___________________________ Club_______________________ (work)___________________________
INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION RULES SYNOPSIS
1. The competition is open to any player affiliated to the Bucks County Chess Association, through club membership or individual subscription.
2.
In
each pairing, the first-named player shall have the white pieces. The player
with the black pieces shall have choice of venue.
3.
Black
shall contact white to arrange the date, time and venue for each game not later
than the third day of the scheduled month of play. It is also black’s
responsibility to provide all playing equipment (clock, board and chess set).
4.
Each
player shall make at least 35 moves in 75 minutes on his own clock, then both
clocks shall be turned back 15 minutes, and the game completed in the time
remaining. If a flag falls before the game has finished, the player who has not
reached the time limit shall be the winner, subject to the conditions of Rule 7
being met. Note: “35 moves in 75 minutes” may be reduced to “30 moves in 60
minutes” when limited time is available.
5.
Except
in special circumstances the clock shall be placed at the left hand of the
player with the white pieces. The clock button shall be pressed by the hand,
which makes the move. Only one hand may be used to move the pieces.
6.
Each
player must keep an up-to-date game score until less than FIVE minutes remain
on his/her clock. Note: A draw by repetition of moves cannot be claimed unless
an up-to-date score-sheet has been kept.
7.
To
win a game on time, a player must claim such a win by stopping the clock, and
must have sufficient mating material. If both flags have fallen and it is
impossible to establish which fell first, the game is drawn.
8.
Illegal
moves do not necessarily lose. If an illegal move is claimed, the clocks shall
be stopped for verification, and the player in error (claimant or opponent)
shall concede a time addition of two minutes to the opposing player’s time
remaining. A second offence shall be similarly penalised, but a third shall
forfeit the game. For penalty purposes only, an illegal move is not deemed
complete until the opponent’s clock has been restarted, and to continue the
game, a legal move must be made with the same piece.
9.
A
player may claim a draw when he/she has less than two minutes remaining on
his/her clock and before his/her flag falls. This concludes the game. The claim
must be on the basis that:
a)
the
opponent cannot win by normal means, or
b)
the
opponent has been making no effort to win by normal means.
In a) the claimant must write
down the position and the opponent must verify it.
In b) the claimant must write
down the final position and submit an up-to-date score sheet, which must be
completed before play has ceased. The opponent must verify the score-sheet and
the final position
10.
A
player must claim immediately if the opponent infringes the rules during play
(e.g. an illegal move, failure to record the
moves etc), and stop the
clock for verification and correction of the situation. If the game is allowed
to continue without correction, the infringement will be deemed condoned, and
the result of the game shall stand.
11.
In
the event of a dispute, the FIDE Laws of Chess, on which these rules are based,
shall apply. The clocks shall be stopped and the times and position recorded on
the score-sheets, which shall be kept up-to-date. Both players shall submit
their claims to the Controller within one week of the game, with completed
score-sheet and any written comments they wish to be considered. Failure of
either player to submit a written claim within the time limit may result in the
opponent’s claim succeeding by default.
12.
Black
shall inform the Controller of the result by the seventh day of the month
following that scheduled for the game.
13.
In
exceptional circumstances, a game may be played after the scheduled month by
mutual agreement, but black must inform the Controller of such an arrangement.
Games may be played before the scheduled time, provided that this does not
delay the schedules of others.
14.
If
there is more than one division in the competition, promotion and relegation
shall be on the basis of two-up/two-down for divisions of six or more players,
and one-up/one-down for less than six players.
15.
Players
may be defaulted for unreasonably failing to make, agree or comply with
arrangements for games. Anyone who experiences difficulties in contacting an
opponent should inform the Controller without delay.
16.
It
is the responsibility of any competitor to advise the Controller and his/her
remaining opponents of any change of address or contact telephone numbers
during the season.