MCA Rules
CHESS IN THE NORTH WEST
Welcome to the Knotty Ash Knockout Tournament Rules
(As approved by the Executive Committee, 1987)(Move Rate amended 1998)
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. NUMBER OF TEAMS. An associated club shall be entitled to enter any number
of teams.
3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS. Each team shall consist of five players.
4. ELIGIBILITY. Entry is restricted to players from any division graded
below 130 in the current grading list or whose last entry in the grading
list was below 130. Ungraded players shall be eligible to play so long as
they are not regular members of a team playing in the first two divisions.
(i.e. they are not listed or have played fewer than 5 games in these
divisions).
No player may play in the Knotty Ash cup for a different club than they
represent in the league.
If a club enters two or more teams in the competition, no player shall play
for more than one of these teams.
5. ENTRIES. All entries shall be made on the Competitions Entry Form
supplied to all clubs not later than June 1st. All entries shall be
received by the General Secretary not later than July 1st.
6. TEAM DECLARATIONS. The Captains of the opposing teams shall, before the
commencement of a match, exchange lists of their teams, arranged in board
order, which shall also be in order of playing strength. The Captains shall
then draw for colour; the team winning the draw shall take white on board one
and the colours on the remaining boards shall alternate accordingly. A
reserve or reserves may be substituted for a player or players who has not
arrived within thirty minutes of the agreed starting time, otherwise the game
shall be forfeited. If at the start of play any Captains who know that they
are unable to field a full team, will be obliged to default on the lowest
board or boards.
If one team is not represented at the agreed starting time then the team that
is present shall be assumed to have won the draw and to take white on the odd
numbered boards.
Any team which defaults on any other than the lowest board or boards will, in
addition to losing that game by default, have one extra point deducted from
their score unless it can satisfactorily explain the default to the
Tournament Controller.
If in the opinion of the Tournament Controller a team deliberately violates
any part of this rule, it may be further removed from the competition.
7. RATE OF PLAY. The rate of play shall be 35 moves in 1¼ hours when the
first flag falls each clock is turned back 15 minutes and the game must be
completed. The first player whose flag then falls shall lose, excepting if
his opponent has insufficient material for checkmate, when the game shall be
drawn. A player may also claim a draw if the position is such that no other
result is reasonably possible.
Play in a match shall commence at 7.15 p.m., and shall conclude at 10.15
p.m., unless agreed otherwise.
8. DRAWN MATCH. In the event of a drawn match, the tie shall be decided on
board count. If this fails to resolve the tie the elimination rule shall
apply. In the event of all five games being drawn then the team having most
black boards shall be deemed the winners.
9. FIXTURES. The first round shall be played at the end of September and
following rounds as directed by the Tournament Controller. The final shall be
played at the Prescot & Knotty Ash Club on the last Tuesday in April starting
at 7.15 p.m. The Tournament Controller shall act as arbiter for the final.
10. RESULTS. The result of each tie must be reported to the Tournament
Controller as soon as possible. If a team defaults a match it is important
for the opposing team to claim the game through the Tournament Controller.
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