League rules

(taken from https://derbyshirechess.chessck.co.uk/RuleBook/DerbyDistrictLeague)

1. The League shall consist of Clubs which meet the requirements of membership as laid down by the Constitution of the League.

2. a) At the start of each season the League Controller will submit a proposed divisional structure which will be based on the number of team entries, the finishing positions of the teams in the previous season and the probable strength of each team. Any team which finishes at the top of a division will have the right to be promoted to a higher division. The proposed structure will need to be approved by the Executive and then circulated at least one week before the Council meeting. It will then need to be passed at the Council meeting by a simple majority.

   b) If a team feels that the journey time presents a problem, they can request of the Controller to play both matches at a neutral venue. The final decision on this request rests with the Controller. But if the difference between clubs is more than 30 miles, the away team has the right to organise the match at a neutral venue.

3. Registered members of League Clubs may take part in any competition organised and run by the League, subject to compliance with the rules of the competition.

4. The fixtures for the year made at the Council Meeting shall be firm and binding as far as possible.

5. Any team failing to keep a fixture shall forfeit the match except where the reason is acceptable to the Competition Controller and provided that he is notified of new date within 14 days of the scheduled date by both teams.

6. Each team must submit an entry form. Team entry fees must be paid by the end of October.

7. All league matches between teams from the same club shall be completed before 1st March in that season.

8. In all divisions the number of players in a team shall be FOUR.

9. NO player can play for more than one club in any one competition of the League in any one season. In this context, divisions 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. of the League are deemed to be one competition but the Team Knockout Trophy is deemed to be a different competition.

10. All players are registered by playing a league game.

11. a) A player who has played three times on the top three boards of any club team in the first 3 divisions becomes ineligible to play for any lower team of that club during the rest of that season. In the 4th Division players may play up to 4 times on the top three boards for a higher team before becoming ineligible. The Knockout Trophy is a separate competition.

    b) In Division 1 only, if a club has more than one team, the club shall register 4 players for each team who can play for that team only. Other club players can only play up for one team, in Division 1, unless they play on the bottom board in which case they may play up to 2 times for each team after which they will only be eligible to play for the team for which they have played 3 times.

    c) A player may not play for a team in the last 3 games of the season if they have not previously played for the club that season. Captains can seek exemptions from this rule by contacting the controller before the affected match takes place.

12. The secretary of the home team shall be responsible for arrangement of venue and other facilities where necessary. Clubs that might select a disabled player for any of their teams and clubs that cannot cater for disabled players, without making special provision which may include switching the venue and date of a fixture, should inform the League before the start of the season. This information will be included in the Club List circulated by the League. Any team that requires a club, which has to make special provision, to cater for a disabled player should inform the club at least 4 weeks before the match. Any team not following this procedure is liable to the loss of the relevant game in that match.

13. Clocks shall be used on all boards in League, Cup and Plate matches.

14. The rate of play for 1st Division matches will be 75 minutes each plus an additional 10 seconds per move. In lower Divisions, the same rate of play should be used if digital clocks are available. Where appropriate digital clocks are not available the playing time will be 90 minutes for all moves. All 4 boards should use the same time control.

15. Starting time in all main League and Team Knockout shall be 7:30 p.m. Players arriving more than ONE hour late shall automatically forfeit the game. Otherwise, all games must be complete (except they may be drawn by agreement or any usual method).

16. At the start of each match, the two captains shall first exchange team lists giving the names of their players in descending order of playing strength from Board 1 downwards. If the grade of a player on the ECF list in September is more than 80 points greater than that of a player on a higher board then the rule has been broken and a game point may be deducted. If a captain feels that the playing strength of a player is not reflected accurately, they can seek exemptions from this rule by contacting the Controller before the affected match takes place. The away team will then have WHITE on the odd numbered boards. This applies to all Divisions. For the Team Knockout competition see separate rules.

17. Match results should be submitted within 48 hours of the end of the match by the home team captain or their proxy. The result should be entered onto the League Management System or sent to the League Controller.

18. All disputes shall be referred to the League Controller within three days. Any dispute shall be resolved by arbitration with the relevant officer of the League in accordance with the League Rules. The decision shall be final, except that an appeal may if necessary be made, within seven days of receipt of notice of judgment, to the Executive Committee of the League for final judgment.

19. Penalties:

    a) A team which does not regularly send in results may be penalised by the loss of a match point at the discretion of the Controller.

    b) Delay in paying entry fees can result in the defaulting of results until such a date as the fees are received.

    c) Teams not playing at least half of their fixtures in one season will have their record deleted for that season.

    d) A team defaulting a match will be liable to lose 2 penalty points at the Controller’s discretion.

20. Match points to determine competition positions shall be awarded as follows: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, none for a loss. The team with the highest number of match points shall be deemed to be the winner of the competition or division.

21. Where a tie-break is required for teams with equal match points, in relegation, promotion and championship deciders, the tie-break will be decided by the total game point difference. If these are the same then the matches between the teams involved will be considered and the tie break will be decided in the order: (1) match points; (2) game point difference; (3) board count; (4) elimination of bottom board(s).

22. In the case where a Division Championship or promotion or relegation are concerned and a result cannot be determined by rules 20 and 21, then the teams concerned shall play to a firm decision by the above methods at a neutral venue.

23. Rules can be amended at the AGM or Extraordinary General Meeting by a simple majority vote, provided that the proposed changes have been circulated to all clubs within the league at least one week before the relevant meeting.

24. Teams shall abide by BCF rules for quick play finishes. If a dispute cannot be settled on the night by the players and captains, an appeal enclosing a score sheet and relevant facts should be sent to the Competition Controller by both teams.

25. Notes on Interpretation of Rules:

Note regarding Fide Rules revision of July 1st 2005. These rules are drawn up mainly with large tournaments and top-ranking games in mind, and it is generally recognised that some local variation makes sense within the bounds of common sense.

Fide 12.2.b – It is strictly forbidden to bring mobile phones or other electronic means of communication, not authorised by the arbiter, into the playing venue. If a player’s mobile rings in the playing venue during play, that player shall lose the game. The score of the opponent shall be determined by the arbiter.

The Council Meeting suggested that Team Captains should request members to switch off their phones before the match starts. If a player’s phone rings once, a warning is given and if it rings twice the game is lost.

Fide addition to 8.1 – It is forbidden to write the moves in advance, unless the player is claiming a draw according to article 9.2 or 9.3.

The Council Meeting suggested that those who play in congresses and for the County, and those young people who play at top level for their age groups should be advised of this rule and get used to practising it. Team Captains should make sure that their teams are aware of this rule.

Rule 11 is intended to limit a player to playing a total of 2 times above board 4 for a higher team and remaining eligible for a lower team, e.g. for clubs with 3 teams, a player becomes ineligible for the C team when they have played a combined total of 3 or more games above board 4 for the A and B teams. In the 4th Division a player can play a total of 4 times above board 4 for a higher team before becoming ineligible.