SOMERSET COUNTY CHESS ASSOCIATION

RULES FOR SOMERSET CHESS LEAGUE June 2007

1 GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS & ELIGIBILITY
(a) All Division 1 (Henry Powell) and Division 2 (Charles Marsh) matches should be played over 6 boards and all Division 3 (Vice-Presidents’) matches played over 4 boards, except by prior arrangement. Division 1 teams are open to players of all grades; division 2 teams are restricted in that only one player graded over 150 is allowed to play in a team. In division 3 no player graded over 125 may play and there is an upper limit of 100 on the average grade per player.
(b) The second-named club is away and shall have white on odd-numbered boards.
(c) A player is not permitted to represent more than one team in any section of a division of the league. Genuine transfer may take place with the agreement of the league secretary.

2 UNGRADED & LOW GRADED PLAYERS
(a) If a player has an Elo rating but not an ECF grade then the appropriate ECF formula should be used to obtain an equivalent ECF grade. Note that the current Formula for Conversion is as follows:- [i] For national Elo ratings and for FIDE Elo ratings > 2327: ECF = (Elo-600)/8, [ii] For FIDE ratings between 1600 and 2327: ECF = (FIDE-1250)/5.
(b) If a player is currently ungraded but has had an ECF grade in the past then the latest published grade should be used with a reduction of 5 points per year for each year missing since publication, up to a maximum of 25 points.
(c) For those not covered by 2a, 2b ungraded players are “deemed to be” 80. (The aim of this is to help a club that has ungraded players but too few players graded under 100 to enter a team with an average grade under 100.)
(d) Additionally, in division 3, players graded under 60 are deemed to be 60. (The aim of this is to prevent teams from using one very low graded player and 3 relatively highly graded players.)

3 MATCH SHEETS
(a) Before any match the Captains shall enter the names of their players on a match sheet from previously written team sheets. Except with the express agreement of Team Captains players shall be arranged as far as is practicable in known descending order of strength. Default(s) known in advance shall be conceded on the lowest board(s) overall
(b) For the assistance of the Results Officer, clubs are asked to ensure that all the initials of each player appear on the match sheet and junior players are indicated with a (J). The criterion for a junior is under 18 on 1 September. For new players also give (1) date of birth, (2) details of previous clubs.
(c) To confirm compliance with grading limitations and help player identification grades of players shall be written on the match sheet.
(d) The match sheet (normally signed by both Captains) must be posted within 14 days by the Captain of the winning team, or in the case of a drawn match by the Captain of the home team. Failure to comply could result in 0 points for each team.

4 CLOCKS
(a) Clubs are asked to encourage the use of clocks. If a player produces a clock and desires to use it his opponent must comply.
(b) Length of matches is at the discretion of respective Captains. Quick-play finishes shall be used in all league matches. Unless both Captains agree otherwise the rate of play shall be 35 moves in 75 minutes followed by a 15 minutes Quick-play finish.
(c) If a player is not present at the start of a game his opponent may start his clock. A player forfeits the game when his lag drops at the first time control.

5 ARBITRATION
The usual ECF rules apply. Up-to-date score sheets and positions for arbitration should be sent to the league secretary.

6 TIE-BREAKING
In a section of the league when two or more teams score an equal number of points the winner will be determined by the results of the games played between the teams. If necessary (a) board count, (b) elimination will be used to determine a winner.

7 KNOCK-OUT CUP
(a) Unless specified league rules apply,
(b) Fixtures will be played over 8 boards, except by agreement between the captains.
(c) Captains shall toss for colours.
(d) Eligibility. (i) players have authentic connections with the club they represent, (ii) they have played at least once for the club in the Somerset league or the Bristol league.

8 Copies of these rules may be obtained from the SCCA Secretary. Issues covered by FIDE & ECF rules are not normally repeated in this document. Proposals for amendment should be received by the 30 April preceding the next AGM of the Association.