(As approved by the Executive Committee, 1987)

1. LAWS. All games shall be played in accordance with the Laws of Chess as
recognised by F.I.D.E. and as modified by the British Chess Federation
(B.C.F.), excepting as  otherwise laid down in these rules.

2. ENTRIES.
 
Open Tournament:
This Tournament shall be open to any registered
member of the M.C.A. The winner of the open tournament shall be the
Merseyside County Champion  and shall be eligible to represent the county in
the following year's N.C.C.U. Championship.
  
Major and Minor Tournaments:
These tournaments shall be restricted on a grading basis to a limit set by
the Tournament Controller. Any registered member of the  M.C.A., ungraded or
with a grade below the set limit, shall be eligible to enter.

3. FIXTURES Pairings shall be given by the Tournament Controller with
approximate dates for playing and a deadline for completion of the games. 
The style of the tournament  shall be decided by the Tournament Controller.

4. VENUE. For each pairing one player is given as having the black pieces. 
This player shall have choice of venue and must provide the equipment. 
It is the responsibility of this player to contact the opponent and to 
arrange a mutually agreeable date.

5. RATE OF PLAY. The rate of play shall be the full County Championship rate
of 40 moves in 2 hours and 10 moves in every subsequent 30 minutes unless 
the two players mutually a gree to a different time control.
Games may not be submitted for adjudication. If at the end of the agreed
playing period (usually 4 hours) no definite result has been achieved then
the game shall be adjourned. A signed sealed move must be made and given to
the opposing player. The game shall be resumed within 14 days with the venue
alternated.

6. RESULTS. Results of all games shall be sent promptly to the Tournament
Controller. A copy of all games played in the Open Tournament should also be
sent with the result.

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