Merseyside Chess Association 2008

The objectives of the Association shall be to promote, encourage and administer the game of Chess within the area of Merseyside without prejudice of race, colour, religion or other interest.

3. MEMBERSHIP

The association, acting through the Executive Committee, upon payment of the appropriate fees, may accept for membership such individuals or clubs inside or outside the boundaries of Merseyside as the Association may decide.

4. OFFICES

The Principal Offices of the Association shall be :-

President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
County Captains

Other offices shall be determined by the AGM, and all appointments to such offices and of general committee members shall be made by the AGM, and shall apply until the next AGM. Life Vice Presidents may be appointed by the AGM from time to time, being persons who have given exceptional service to the Merseyside Chess Association.

5. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The business of the Association shall be managed by the Executive Committee which shall consist of the Principal Officers of the Association, Life Vice President(s) and a maximum of twenty four other members. The Executive may co-opt additional members but such members will have no voting rights. Seven members of the committee shall form a quorum. If present the President will take the chair. Otherwise those present will vote one of themselves as Chairman. Any matters requiring resolution will be determined by a simple majority of votes.

The Chairman may vote only when a casting vote is required to break a tie.

The Executive Committee shall have the power to invite individuals to attend committee meetings in an advisory capacity. The Executive shall be convened by the Secretary on the instructions of the President, or upon the request in writing of four of its members, or as these Rules otherwise provide. Each member of the Executive Committee shall receive at least seven days notice of each meeting. If at any meeting of the Executive Committee the number of members present does not form a quorum within 30 minutes of the announced time of starting, the meeting shall automatically stand adjourned to a date within 15 days of the original date, when the original business only shall be discussed. At this resumed meeting, the rule regarding a quorum shall not apply.

6. ASSOCIATION YEAR

The Association year shall be from 1^st May to the 30^th April inclusive.

7. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held in May or June and shall be open to private members of the Association, all members of associated clubs and others subject to the discretion of the meeting. It shall be the function of the meeting to:

receive a report from each Officer
consider the audited accounts of the Association
determine the non principal offices
elect all Officers and other members of the Executive Committee
fix all membership and other fees, and when these are due
fix the date of the next AGM, (the Executive Committee may vary this date in the event of exceptional circumstances)
appoint the Auditor for the following year
deal with such other business as may be required, due notice having been given on the agenda for the meeting.

The only persons entitled to vote at the AGM shall be the members of the Executive Committee and from each club one delegate for each team entered in the League competition and each person shall have one vote. A member of the Executive Committee may not be a club delegate. No private member may have a vote. Resolution will be decided by a simple majority of votes as otherwise specified within these articles of constitution. The Chairman may vote only when a casting vote is required to break a tie.

The presence of ten persons entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum. If there is not a quorum within 30 minutes of the announced time of starting, the meeting shall automatically stand adjourned to a date within 15 days of the original date, when the original business only shall be discussed. At this resumed meeting the rule regarding a quorum will not apply.

The Secretary shall give 14 days notice of the meeting to the secretaries of the associated clubs, to the Executive Committee and to private members.

8. SPECIAL MEETING

The President may call a Special General Meeting at any time. The Secretary shall give 14 days notice of the meeting to the secretaries of the associated clubs, to the Executive Committee and to private members. A Special General Meeting must be called if three associated clubs require such a meeting and inform the secretary in writing of the reasons for calling such a meeting, which reasons shall be specified in the notice convening the meeting. Persons entitled to attend and vote at a Special General Meeting and the quorum rules relating thereto shall be the same as for the Annual General Meeting.

9. ALTERATION TO RULES OF CONSTITUTION

No alteration to the Rules of Constitution shall be made, except at a General Meeting of which 14 days notice in writing giving details of the proposed alterations have been duly given to club secretaries, members of the Executive Committee and private members. No such alteration shall be effected unless the motion proposing it is passed by an affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of persons present eligible to vote. No alteration to the Rules of Constitution shall be made unless a quorum of ten voting members is present.

Any alterations effected must be notified to Club Secretaries, Members of the Executive Committee and Private Members within 14 days of the meeting at which the alterations were made.

10. RULES OF COMPETITIONS

Rules governing competitions shall be determined by the Executive Committee

END OF CONSTITUTION

Return to Menu

RULES GOVERNING ALL COMPETITIONS

These rules (1-9) apply across all competitions unless otherwise stated

1. OBSERVANCE OF LAWS

All games played under the auspices of the Association shall be played in accordance with the Laws of Chess as recognised by the Federation Internationale Des Echecs (FIDE) and as modified by the English Chess Federation (ECF), excepting as otherwise laid down in these rules.

2. ALL COMPETITION ENTRIES

All entries shall be made on the Competitions Entry Form to be supplied to associate clubs by the General Secretary not later than 1^st June. The General Secretary shall receive all entries not later than 1^st July. The Executive Committee or the General Secretary shall have discretion to waive this requirement in exceptional circumstances

No club may compete in MCA competition in a future year until fees from prior years have been paid. No individual player who has failed to pay his due ECF registration in a previous year may compete in any MCA competition until his membership fee from the prior year has been paid.

3. NON TRANSFERENCE

A player shall not play, in any season, for more than one club in the League Tournaments or for a different club in the Knock-Out Tournaments. See Lightning Tournament separate rules.

4. LISTED AND INELIGIBLE PLAYERS

These rules applies to League and John Ripley competitions only. Also see Rules Governing The Knotty Ash Knockout Tournament and The John Ripley tournament.
The playing of one or more ineligible players in a match shall be penalised by reducing the score of the offending team in that match by a game point for each ineligible player so played and in addition such ineligible player or players shall be deemed to have lost their games.
The penalty in the preceding paragraph shall apply to a club’s first contravention and in the case of a further contravention by that club in the same season, the appropriate Competition Controller may refer the matter to the Executive Committee who may impose a more severe penalty or remove the offending team from the Competition.
Any dispute as to the eligibility of a player may be referred to the Executive Committee whose decision shall be final.
All players competing in MCA competitions are expected to be NMS members or have other ECF membership. Membership must be completed before any player has played more than three games. Any non-member playing a fourth or subsequent game will be ineligible and the penalties provided for in the relevant competition rules will apply.

5. ALTERATION OF VENUE

Where travelling facilities are inconvenient the match venue may be altered by mutual agreement.

6. HOURS OF PLAY

In the absence of any previous arrangement by the clubs concerned, play at a match shall commence at 7.15pm and shall conclude at 10.15pm.

If the visiting team is present and play has not started by the agreed starting time, the visiting team will normally request the home team to concede time on its clocks to ensure the match finishes three hours after the agreed starting time.

If such a request is made, it must be accepted. If the home team fails to comply, the match will be forfeit.

7. 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 the 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. One or more reserves may be substituted for any players who have not arrived within thirty minutes of the agreed starting time, otherwise the game(s) shall be forfeit.

If one team is not represented at the agreed starting time it will be assumed that the team present has won the draw and has white on the odd boards. This will enable to the match to start at the agreed time.

At the start of play any Captain who knows that he will be unable to field a full team will be obliged to default on the lowest board or boards.

Any team which defaults on any other than the lowest board or boards will have one point deducted from its match score unless it can satisfactorily explain the default to the Controller.

If the Controller is not happy with a team’s board order he may ask the club to justify its order. Any team deliberately violating the board order rule or any other part of this rule may be deducted a match point at the recommendation of the Controller and confirmed at a subsequent executive meeting.

8. RATE OF PLAY

Every player shall keep a record of the moves in each game. Any player may demand that their game be played with a chess clock in which case they must provide a proper chess clock. It is the duty of the home team to provide sufficient clocks to complete its fixture (including adequate reserve clocks in case of failure on the match night). If the home team fails to notify the away team (no later than five days) before the fixture that there are insufficient clocks, the away team can claim the match (if no clocks are available) as a defaulted win. If the home team informs the away team before the fixture that it has insufficient clocks, then the away team can be asked to fulfil the match without prejudice.

The rate of play shall be 35 moves in 1hour 15mins followed by 15mins to complete the game. The first player whose flag 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.

If the captains agree all games may be played in an hour and a half for all moves without any intermediate time control.

9. NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS

Both score cards with players’ names and initials, signed by both match Captains, shall be received by the Controller from both clubs, within fourteen days of the match. it is important for the opposing team to claim the game through the Tournament Controller.

END OF RULES GOVERNING ALL COMPETITIONS

Return to Menu

RULES GOVERNING LEAGUE COMPETITIONS

1. ARRANGEMENT OF TEAMS

The competing teams shall be arranged in division according to their estimated strength, or in sections according to locality or other consideration.

2. NUMBER OF TEAMS

An associated club may enter more than one team.

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS

A team shall consist of: Eight players in Division 1; Seven players in Division 2; Six players in Divisions 3 and 4; Five players in any lower Division.

4. FIXTURES

In each Division, each competing team shall play two matches with every other team in that Division (home and away) unless arranged otherwise by the Executive Committee.

5. MATCH POINTS

A team winning a match shall score two points and in the event of a tie each team shall score one point.

6. DIVISION WINNERS

The team in a Division which scores more match points than any other team in that Division shall be the winner of the Division and shall be entitled to hold for twelve months the trophy allocated to that Division and to promotion.

If two or more teams in a Division score the same number of match points the relative position of these teams shall be decided by the total number of games won by them in the Division, drawn games counting as half the value of won games. If there is still a tie the positions shall be decided by eliminating the games played on all the bottom boards of the teams concerned and so on until a definite result is achieved.

In the event of a team withdrawing from the league having played not more than 50% of its fixtures, individual players from that team will be eligible to play for other teams in that club or other clubs during the season.

7. LISTED AND INELIGIBLE PLAYERS

Where a club enters two or more teams in the League Tournaments, the following rules shall apply:

a) The Club Secretary shall, before the first league match in which the Club is concerned, send to the General Secretary a list of seven members (listed players) for each team of eight, six members for each team of seven, five members for each team of six and four members for each team of five, who will always be invited to play for that team and have indicated that they expect to be available for the majority of games. Such listed players shall be ineligible to play in any lower team of that club during the season.

Listed players must have indicated that they expect to be available for the majority of league matches. If when 50% of the fixtures have been played a listed player has failed to play in at least 3 matches then the club will be expected to list an additional player unless it can convince the Controller that the player in question will complete his obligation. All listed players must be ECF Registered.

The General Secretary shall then send a copy of these listed players to each of the League Controllers. There is no need to send a list for the only or lowest team of any club.

b) If a club fails to send in a list of restricted players before the first league match then the players appearing in the first match shall be considered listed, ie the top seven boards in a first division match, etc.

c) The University have until 8^th November to comply with (a) above otherwise rule (b) applies.

d) Where a club has two or more teams competing in the same Division, the interchanging of players between these teams shall not be permitted. This rule is suspended for teams playing in Divisions 3 and below, where the normal rules relating to the interchange of players between a higher and a lower team shall apply.

e) Listed players may play any number of games for a higher team or teams. Other players may play any number of games for any team or teams (except as provided in Paragraph f, below).

f) Any players, whether listed or not, shall not be eligible to play in any given team if they have played a total of four times during the season for a higher teams or teams in matches where they have played on a board above the lowest listed player in that higher team or teams. Games played on boards below the lowest listed player do not count towards this total. Teams must play their boards in order of playing strength.

8. ARRANGEMENT OF FIXTURES

The dates of fixtures in the League Tournament shall be fixed by the Fixture Secretary or such other person or officer of the Association as the Executive Committee may appoint. Each club shall have the opportunity to make representations to the appointed person to indicate unsuitable dates for fixtures through such as shift working, annual holidays, etc. As far as possible, the fixtures will give effect to such representations.

The list of fixtures shall be communicated to each club not less than fourteen days before the starting date of that club’s first fixture.

9. POSTPONEMENT & RE-ARRANGEMENT OF FIXTURES

Under rule 8 clubs are asked to indicate to the fixtures secretary any dates which are unsuitable. Realising that not all arrangements can be known before the fixtures are compiled, clubs have until September 15 or 2 weeks after the fixture books are issued (whichever is later) to request postponements on the basis that team members have other prior commitments. Requests made up to September 15 shall be granted.

After 15 September a club may request a postponement at any time but the other club concerned has the right to decide whether the request is acceptable or not, that is, both clubs must agree on the postponement.

If the two clubs agree to the postponement they must agree another date before the end of the season and notify the appropriate league controller as soon as possible. If the two clubs agree to the postponement but cannot agree a new date then the matter shall be referred to the league controller.

If the clubs do not agree to a postponement then the club requesting postponement must either fulfil the fixture using reserve players or default the match. If the club requesting postponement defaults the match they may appeal to the controller. If the Controller considers that the reason(s) for the request are outside the control of the team and its players and that a default would be inequitable then they may order that the match be played or give such direction as they think fit in the circumstances. Where the controller makes such a ruling the offended club has the right of appeal within 10 days to the Executive Committee whose decision will be final.

10. NON-OBSERVANCE OF RULES

If any club fails to play a match in accordance with these rules, the matter shall be referred to the Executive Committee whose decision in the matter shall be final. If any team in any given season defaults 50% or more of their matches, all games played by that team in that season shall be declared void.

In the event of any fixture not being fulfilled on the due date both sides shall inform the appropriate Controller of the circumstances. If the fixture is still unfulfilled at the end of the season the Controller may at his discretion impose a penalty on either or both teams concerned. In the case of a further contravention by that club in the same season, the appropriate controller may impose a more severe penalty or remove the offending team from the competition.

Where a rule gives a Controller the power to impose a penalty the offended club shall have the right to appeal to the Executive Committee whose decision shall be final.

11. PLAYER OF THE YEAR

For each division of the league an award shall be made to the player of the year. The player of the year shall be the player with the greatest number of wins gained from league games played during the season. A default or forfeit win counts as a win and a draw as half a win. Where a player appears for more than one team in the same division then the player shall be considered as separate individuals for this award. The winning team must be named in a defaulted match to qualify for a point. In the event of a tie the award shall be shared.

12. DISPUTES

Any dispute under these rules shall be referred to the Executive Committee.

END OF RULES GOVERNING LEAGUE COMPETITIONS

Return to Menu

RULES FOR THE JOHN RIPLEY TOURNAMENT

1. HANDICAPS

When deciding the handicap to be applied in any particular match the divisions the two teams are in should be looked at. Where there is a difference of :-

1 Division	1½ points to the team in the lower division
2 Divisions	2½ points to the team in the lower division
3 Divisions	3½ points to the team in the lower division
4 Divisions	4½ points to the team in the lower division

2. DRAWN MATCHES

Matches can only be drawn between teams from the same division. In this event the tie is first resolved on board count. If this fails to resolve the tie then the elimination rule is applied. To apply the board count rule, add up the board numbers won by each team. The team with the lowest total is the winner.

3. FIXTURES

The first round will be played during the last week in October and the second round during the second week in December. These weeks will be kept free of league fixtures.

4. RESULTS

The results shall be sent promptly to the Tournament Controller. It is important that where a match is not played because one of the teams withdraws, the other team should notify the Tournament Controller to claim a win.

5. NUMBER OF TEAMS

A club may enter any number of teams in the John Ripley Tournament but no player may play for more than one team in a season.

6. NUMBER OF PLAYERS

The number of players shall be six.

END OF RULES FOR JOHN RIPLEY TOURNAMENT

Return to Menu

RULES FOR THE KNOTTY ASH KNOCKOUT TOURNAMENT

1. NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Each team shall consist of five players.

2. 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. (ie they are not listed and have played fewer than 4 games in these divisions). Any team that plays an ineligible player shall be disqualified providing that such infringement is identified/notified before the next round. If a club enters two or more teams in the competition, no player shall play for more than one of these teams.

3. 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 winner.

4. 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 7.15pm. The Tournament Controller shall act as arbiter for the final.

END OF RULES FOR THE KNOTTY ASH KNOCKOUT TOURNAMENT

Return to Menu

RULES FOR THE TEAM LIGHTNING TOURNAMENT

1. LAWS

Where applicable the Laws of Chess as recognised by FIDE and as modified by the English Chess Federation (ECF), should be observed excepting :-

Any player making an illegal move shall lose the game.
Any other variant that may be deemed necessary by the Executive Committee

2. NUMBER OF TEAMS

An associated club may enter more than one team.

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Each team shall consist of four players and a reserve listed in board order; the reserve being played at the Captain’s discretion. Board order may not be altered during the tournament.

4. MOVING

The rate of play shall be one move every 10 seconds. Each player must move on the time signal. Any player failing to do so shall lose the game.

5. TIME LIMIT

The time limit shall be twenty five minutes each round.

6. UNFINISHED GAMES

In the event of any unfinished game, the method of deciding the result shall be at the discretion of the Tournament Controller.

7. COLOURS

The team Captains shall toss for colour at the commencement of each round. The team winning the toss shall take white on boards one and three and black on boards two and four.

8. TOURNAMENT SYSTEM

The system used (American or Swiss) shall be at the discretion of the Tournament Controller and may depend on the number of entries.

9. GAME POINTS

Each player shall score one point for a win and a half point for a draw.

10. TOURNAMENT WINNERS

The team achieving the highest number of game points shall be the winners of the tournament.

11. RESOLVING TIES

In the event of a tie on game points, the relative position shall be determined on match points (drawn matches counting as half a win). If still drawn the sum of opponents’ team’s scores shall resolve the tie.

12. ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

There is no restriction on any player in the lightning tournament. Players may represent a different club than in the League.

MERSEYSIDE INDIVIDUAL TOURNAMENT

The title "Merseyside Individual Champion" shall be awarded to the Merseyside player finishing highest at the Liverpool Congress.

END OF RULES FOR THE TEAM LIGHTNING TOURNAMENT

Return to Menu