(As approved by the Executive Committee, 1987)

1. LAWS. All games shall be played in accordance with the Laws of Chess as recognised by FIDE and as modified by the English Chess Federation (ECF), excepting as  otherwise laid down in these rules.

2. ENTRIES.

Open Tournament:

This Tournament shall be open to any registered member of the MCA. 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 NCCU 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 agree 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.