BDCA Chess Handbook

1. All games shall be played according to the latest edition of the F.I.D.E. Laws, except where they are specifically amended by these rules. Any dispute or matter for which no provision has been made in these rules shall be referred to the Executive Committee, whose decision shall be final.

2. Any player shall be eligible to play in any match played under the auspices of the Association.

4. No player may play for more than one club within the League in a season unless their transfer has first been authorised by the Executive Committee. Applications for transfer shall be accompanied by a clearance from the player’s old club that he/she has left no outstanding obligations to the club.

5. Complaints must be received in writing by the Association Secretary within seven days of the alleged offence, and a copy must be sent to the party or parties against whom the complaint is made. The Secretary shall, within seven days of receiving the complaint, inform all the parties concerned of the date and place of the meeting at which the matter will be discussed, and invite their attendance.

6. The Executive Committee shall decide how teams which resign from the League are to be replaced in the following season, and in which division newcomers to the League are to commence and the overall structure of the League dependant on the number of teams competing.

7. Reasonable convenience and comfort shall be provided by the home team during matches.

8. Only one game shall be played by each person participating in the match, all other games being regarded as friendlies.

9. Before a match starts the captains shall write their players in order of playing strength, on their match cards. Any team who fields a player in the wrong position according to current playing strength shall forfeit that board and all the boards below it. (9a). Teams who repeatedly default higher boards will have results examined and adjusted retrospectively as per rule 9.

10. Captains then exchange match cards and the home captain tosses a coin – winner of the toss will have white on their odd-numbered boards.

11. Both captains shall send completed result cards either by post or e-mail (using the online result card) to reach the Association Secretary by the Friday morning following the match. Clubs failing to do so shall be fined £1 for each occurrence.

12. Matches shall commence promptly at 7:30 pm and clocks shall be started at that time. A player is automatically deemed to have lost their game by default if they have not made a move: (a) by the time their clock shows an hour’s time has elapsed: or (b) by 8:30pm if a clock is not being used.

13. At the conclusion of the official playing time the position in all undecided games shall be recorded. If the captains are unable to agree upon a result in such games, the recorded positions shall be forwarded by both sides to reach the Association Secretary by the Friday morning following the match. Should an adjudication claim arrive late, that team shall lose it's claim and should both claims arrive late, the game shall be void. Unsuccessful claimants shall pay the required fees.

14. Any team can insist on clocks being used on all boards from which they are available.

15. For all League, Hepolite and Clough matches the playing time shall be 3 hours at the rate of 37 moves in 1 1/4 hours. After Black's 37th move the clocks shall be turned back 15 minutes and all the remaining moves to be completed in the time available, unless both captains agree otherwise before commencement of the match. BCF blitz finish rules apply in all cases. (15a) After 'initial' move rate completed by Black: i.e. 37 moves, the player playing 'Black' shall stop the clock. Both players agree what times are left before each flag will drop. The player playing 'White' will turn each clock back, an additional 15 minutes, and the player playing 'Black' shall start `White's' clock.

16. Each division of the League shall consist of no more than ten teams. All teams shall consist of six boards. A club shall have a maximum of three teams in any division.

17. Matches must be played on the date shown in the official handbook fixture list.

18. Where a league match is rearranged, a player who appears for one of their club's other teams on the date of the original fixture shall not be eligible to play in the rearranged fixture.

19. Teams which default a League match will have one point deducted for each occurrence. A team will be classed as defaulting a League match if they do not have enough players present in order to at least draw the match.

20. If a club has more than one team in any division, any player who has played above the bottom two boards in one of those teams may not thereafter play for another team in that division in that season. Rules 9, 18 & 23 still apply to these players.

21. Clubs with teams in more than one division should register 3 top players per team. These players will be eligible to play in that division or a higher one only.

22. Other players may play for another of their club teams in the next lowest division that a team from that club appears, but no lower. Rules 9, 18, 20 & 23 still apply to these players.

23. Any team playing an ineligible player shall forfeit that board and all boards below it.

24. In the case of a postponed match the team requesting the postponement must suggest to the other team within 7 days of the original fixture date 3 alternative dates for the fixture. Should none of the suggested alternative dates be accepted then the matter shall be presented to the next Committee Meeting. Where no alternative date can be agreed before the last league fixture of the season, the club which asked for the postponement shall forfeit the match points. No rearranged game shall be played after the last league fixture of the season.

25. In the event of a player, or players being absent at the start of play, substitutes may be inserted on the match card at any time in the first hour as and when they become available. Such substitutes shall not be regarded for the purposes of Rule 9.

26. In all match games the number of moves shall be recorded. In the event of a drawn game of less than 24 moves, and in all adjudicated games, the number of moves made must be shown on the official result cards in order that the Association Secretary may take any action necessary.

27. Two points shall be awarded for a win and one point for a draw. Should two or more teams finish the season with equal points the team having scored the highest number of game points shall be awarded the highest position. Should this still result in a tie, and promotion or relegation issues are affected, a play-off, or play-offs shall be arranged.

28. At the end of each season, the two lowest teams in each division shall exchange places with the two top teams in the division below, subject to the provision of Rule 16.

29.The individual competitions are: a) The Barnett Trophy - Open to all registered members, b) The Parkinson Trophy - Open to all registered members (Under 151), c) The Hutchinson Trophy - Open to all registered members (Under 126), d) The Bak Trophy - Open to all registered members (Under 101).

30. The Competition Controller is in charge of these competitions and their decision on any of these points shall be final.

31. YCA grading shall apply. Ungraded players may be admitted at the discretion of the Competition controller.

33. Unfinished or drawn games shall be completed or replayed on or before a date decided by the Competition Controller.

34. In the case of players finishing on the same number of points. Swiss progression will be applied to determine the final ranking.

35.Totty Trophy. This trophy will be awarded to the player with the highest percentage of points who has played in at least 75% of the possible League fixtures. All divisions

36.Cocking Trophy: If the Totty trophy is won by a player in the top two divisions, the Cocking trophy will be awarded to another division. If the Totty trophy is won by a player in division 3, the Cocking trophy will be awarded to divisions 1 and 2. The winner must have at least 50% of their games in the relevant division. Trophy to be awarded to a player from outside the division of the Totty Trophy winner. (36a). Webster Trophy: To be awarded to the player with the highest percentage of points in league games who is under 18 as at 1st September. The player must have played in at least 50% of the possible league fixtures. A player may only hold one of these (the Cocking, Totty, Webster) awards.

37.The Hepolite competitions shall be competed for by all League teams on a knock-out basis. First round Ties and Byes to be drawn randomly at the start of season meeting. The top 50% of teams in the draw (determined by league position in the previous season) shall be seeded and thus shall not play each other in round 1.

38. The Hepolite Plate is a knock-out competition held between the teams eliminated in the first round of the Hepolite Trophy.

39. All further rounds of the Hepolite Trophy and Plate competitions to be drawn randomly at Executive Committee meetings.

40. Once a player has played for a team in any Hepolite Competition, they shall be ineligible to play for another team in any of that season’s Hepolite competitions.

41. Should a drawn match occur in any round of the Hepolite Competition, other than the final, the match shall be decided by the lowest board count. (i.e. the sum of the winning board numbers for each team), and then by the lower board elimination.

42. If a Hepolite final is drawn, a replay shall be arranged. Should this also be drawn, Rule 41 shall apply. Should this result in a draw, the Trophy shall be shared.

43. The Clough Trophy will be played as an annual five round Swiss tournament. First round ties are drawn randomly at the most appropriate Executive Committee meeting. The ties in rounds 2-5 to be drawn (as far as possible), by conventional Swiss rules by the BDCA Secretary.

44. This competition is also open to teams (who must be based in Bradford and surrounding districts) who do not currently play in the BDCA Leagues. For example school, works and pub teams.

45. All the rules listed previously in this handbook apply to the Clough Trophy. Additionally the following supplementary rules (43-57) apply to the Clough Trophy only. (If and when contradictions occur. assume that the following rules take precedent)

46. Byes will only apply if an odd number of teams play in the competition in which case one team has a Bye in each round of the matches. For a 'Natural' Bye, the team scores 4 points. A random team is selected for the first round; thereafter the lowest placed team is selected unless they have had a previous Bye (in which case the next lowest team is selected (and so on).

47. Byes requested by a team score 2.5 points. Such a Bye must be requested before the draw for that round is made. No requested Byes allowed in the final round of matches. No team allowed more than one Bye throughout the competition.

Table for 4-Board Teams based on YCA Grades. 4 Game points and 3 Handicap points allocated to every match

Grade Difference Between Teams	Handicap Points (Ha) - Weaker Team	Stronger Team
0-30	1.5	1.5
31-94	2.0	1.0
95-175	2.5	0.5
175 plus	3.0	0.0

48. If a player defaults their game, the Game point is given to the opposing team. If opposing players default the same board then neither team scores any Game points for that board. Any team which defaults boards loses all their Handicap points, regardless of how many boards they default (these are not given to their opponents).

49. In order to calculate the opposing team's Handicap points, absent players are graded as follows:

If a nominated player, expected to play, fails to arrive in time, that player's grade is given to his prescribed board which will be in the correct board order according to that grade. If a team has less than 4 players to start with, the available players must fill the highest available boards (i.e. the lowest board(s) are defaulted and each defaulted board is given 100 grading points.

50. Boards should be played in Grade order (highest graded player on board 1 etc.). Any players who fail to do so and all boards below them lose their Game points to the opposing team. The original results of these games are only preserved for grading the players affected. YCA grades will apply.

51. If both players play out of Grade order, the relevant Game points are lost completely. In all cases, the Handicap Points of both teams are preserved.

52. Players with no previous grade are given a provisional grade of 100. The grade to be used for ungraded players under the age of 16 at 1st September in the year of the start of the competition will be 75.

53. Players whose grades have expired should use their most recent published grade, minus 6 grading points for each year that it is out of date, up to a maximum 30 points deducted.

55. Any player graded below 50 based on less than 10 games should be given an adjusted grade of 50.

56. In the interests of fairness, players with no previous grade or an unreliable grade (based on too few games) may retrospectively be given an estimated/adjusted grade by either the BDCA Secretary or competition controller. (With appropriate retrospective adjustments made to Handicap points etc.). In such cases relevant team captains will be informed of the changes made, as soon as practically possible and normal 'appeals' procedures will apply.

57. No team may have an aggregate grade of greater than 575. There is no restriction on individual grades.

58. In the event of a tie between the top two or more teams the following deciding factors are to be taken into account:

The Following are extracts from FIDE and BCF rules that we play to. These are posted here for extra guidance:

(a) During play, the players are forbidden to make use of handwritten, printed or otherwise recorded matter, or to analyse the game on another chessboard. They are also forbidden to have recourse to the advice of a third party, whether solicited or not. [The only possible exception is that a player in a team competition may be allowed to ask their captain "Should I accept their offer of a draw?" or "Does the team need me to play for a win?". The captain or acting-captain must limit their reply to an immediate "Yes", "No", or "It's up to you" without supplying their answer after a detailed analysis of the position, and without making their answer emphatic in any way. This captain, like all the players, is not allowed to receive opinions, from any source on the states of play of any games still in progress.

(b) The use of notes made during the game as an aid to memory is also forbidden, aside from the actual recording of the moves and the times on the clocks.

(d) It is forbidden to distract or annoy the opponent in any manner whatsoever. This includes the persistent offering of a draw.

Where games are played to a quick play finish, a player may claim a draw when he has less than two minutes left on their clock and before their flag falls. This concludes the game. They can only claim this on the following basis:

In b) the player must write down the final position and submit an up to date score sheet, which must be completed before play has ceased. The opponent shall verify the final position and score sheet. The claim shall be referred to the committee whose decision shall be final.

Ed. In practice the game will be awarded against the claimant unless they can comprehensively prove either a) or b) is valid.

The Bradford and District Chess Association Constitution 2010-2011

1. NAME
This organisation shall be called The Bradford & District Chess Association

2. OBJECTS
The objects of The Association shall be:-
a) To encourage and foster the playing of chess, particularly in Bradford and it's surrounding area.
b) To organise chess competitions, tournaments, matches, and congresses.
c) To organise the teaching and training of chess where appropriate.

3. MEMBERSHIP
a) Any chess organisation shall become a Constituent Member of The Association upon the approval of its application for membership by either the Annual General Meeting or the Management Committee of The Association and upon payment of the requisite fees as determined by The Association.
b) Each Constituent Member shall register its players with The Association Secretary as determined by rule. These players shall be known as Registered Players.
c) All Registered Players shall be Individual Members of the Association

4. ALTERATION TO THE CONSTITUTION
No alteration shall be made to this constitution except at an Annual
General Meeting and only the providing that: -
i) The meeting be Quorate at all stages of the debate and upon the vote.
ii) The alterations are submitted in accordance with standing orders.
iii) That not less than two thirds of the votes cast are in favour of the alteration.

5. INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION
i) The President of the Association shall be the sole Authority on matters of interpretation of this Constitution.

6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
i) Quorum: Twenty individual members shall constitute a quorum.
ii) All individual members shall be entitled to attend, speak and vote at The Annual General Meeting
iii) The Annual General Meeting shall, on a yearly basis appoint the Officers of the Association
iv) The A.G.M may discuss and resolve on any matter covered by the Objects and if appropriate set up sub-committees to implement such decisions
v) The A.G.M may delegate any of its powers, except where specifically debarred herein, to the management Committee or to the Executive Committee
vi) All sub-committees formed by the A.G.M shall be, in the interim, be responsible to the Executive committee
vii) All items for the agenda of the A.G.M shall be submitted in accordance with the Standing Orders
viii) The A.G.M shall conduct such business as is laid down or implied elsewhere in this constitution
ix) In the event of matters not being discussed at an A.G.M the meeting may vote to convene an Extra Ordinary General Meeting to discuss and resolve such matters.
x) Extra Ordinary General Meeting An Extra Ordinary General meeting shall have all the powers of an A.G.M excepting that it may not call an E.G.M.

7. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
i) The Management Committee shall meet at a time decided by the previous A.G.M
ii) All business shall be conducted in accordance with Standing Orders.
iii) Membership & Quorum:
a) The membership of the committee shall be:-
The Officers of the Association.
One representative of each Constituent Organisation
b) The Quorum shall be eight of those entitled to attend and vote (which must include no less than 3 Executive Officers)
iv) Emergency meetings of the Management Committee may by called by; a) The Executive Committee b) A requisition in writing signed by 20 Individual Members submitted to the Association Secretary
v) The Management Committee shall decide on any issue not specifically covered by the rules. Such a decision shall be binding until the subsequent A.G.M
vi) The minutes of the Management Committee, even if not ratified, shall be submitted to the A.G.M for consideration and resolution, if necessary
vii) Any motion at a Management Committee shall be decided by a simple majority and in the event of a tie the Chairman shall have a second casting vote.
viii) The Management Committee shall have the power to dismiss any Officer of the Association, providing that such a motion has been submitted according to Standing Orders and achieves a two thirds majority of those present and voting.
ix) The Management Committee may appoint Officers to fill vacancies that occur for any reason.

8. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
i) Membership: The members of the Committee shall be the principal Officers of the Association.
ii) Three members shall constitute a Quorum.
iii) Powers:
a) In the event of an inquorate Management Committee meeting the Executive Committee shall have all the powers and functions of the
Management Committee. Any decision of the Executive taken under this clause shall be binding until such a time as a quarate Management Committee meeting can be convened
b) The Executive Committee may suspend any officer of the Association and require all assets of the Association to be rendered up to the trustees of the Association. This matter is to be decided by a simple majority, the Chairman having a casting (Second) vote where necessary.

c) In the event of an officer being suspended the Executive shall convene an Emergency Management Committee Meeting in accordance with Standing Orders. d) The Executive committee may at their discretion reorganise league fixtures.

9. OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
i) There shall be three categories of Officers:
a) Principal Officers:
1) The President
2) The Honorary Secretary
3) The Chairman
4) The Competition Controller
5) The Honorary Treasurer
b) Ordinary Officers:
1) The Vice-Chairman (except when acting as Chairman)
2) Minutes Secretary
c) All other officers appointed by either an A.G.M or Management
Committee for which Constitutional alteration has not been approved
For the purpose of this constitution only categories a) & b) shall be members of the Management Committee
ii) The Officers shall undertake such duties as are specified, or implied, in this Constitution and accompanying Rules & Standing Orders
iii) The Officers shall have such powers as defined in this constitution, rules and Standing Orders, plus such other powers as may be delegated by the A.G.M or Management Committee, from time to time.

1O. SUB-COMMITTEES
Sub-committees appointed by either the A.G.M or Management Committee shall appoint their own chairman and meet as they may determine. Two thirds of the members shall constitute a quorum. The Secretary of the Association, or his appointed deputy, shall be an ex-officio member of all sub-committees. Sub-committees shall submit copies of their minutes to the Executive Committee for information.

11. FINANCE
a) AUDITOR
An Auditor shall be appointed at the A.G.M to examine and report upon all financial records of the association.
b) The Financial Year of the Association shall run from 1st May to 30th April each year.
c) Annual Accounts certified by the auditor shall be submitted to the A.G.M for approval.
d) FEES
All subscription fees, membership fees, adjudication fees and any other fees shall be determined by the A.G.M

12. LEAGUE REGISTRATIONS
a) Clubs wishing to compete in the BDCA leagues for an upcoming season must register their Club with the BDCA Hon. Secretary and BDCA Treasurer by no later than the 15^th July prior to the start of that specific season and must register any team wishing to compete in the league by no later than the 31^st July prior to the start of that specific season.

13.TRUSTEES
i) The Trustees of The Association shall be the President, the Honorary Secretary, and Treasurer who shall be responsible for all monies and properties of the Association. The Funds and properties shall be held in trust in their joint names, and all financial operations shall be carried out in the name of the Association by the Treasurer and one other trustee.
ii) A Trustee who wishes to resign from the Trust shall give to the Executive Committee 28 days notice in writing and the appointment of a successor shall relieve him of his responsibilities, save that in such a case the substitution shall not relieve the retiring Trustee from breaches of trust committed by him during his term of office.
iii) The Executive Committee may terminate the services of a Trustee by Giving him 28 days notice in writing,

14.WINDING UP
In the event of the association being wound up disposal of the assets and liabilities shall be vested in the hands of the Trustees.

STANDING ORDERS

1. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
a) The meeting shall be held on a date decided by the previous A.G.M but not later than 31 May.
b) Motions proposing amendments to the Constitution, Rules or Standing Orders shall be submitted to the Secretary, in writing, not less than four weeks before the date of the meeting.
c) Other items for the agenda shall be submitted to the secretary, in writing not less than two weeks before the date of the meeting
d) Other matters may be discussed at the meeting at the discretion of the Chairman.
e) Details of proposed Constitutional, Rule or Standing Order amendments shall be distributed to all Club Secretaries and League Officials, by the Secretary, not less than 14 days before the date of the meeting. Nothing in this clause shall debar the debate or vote on duly submitted motions.
f) Amendments to motions shall be submitted, in writing, not less than seven days before the meeting to the Secretary.

2. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
a) In any matter of dispute between Constituent Organisations, the Executive Committee shall call a meeting of the Management Committee giving not less than seven days notice.
b) Motions for discussion at a MC shall be in writing.
c) Motions relating to Rule Interpretation may be submitted by either i) The Executive Committee.
ii) A petition, in writing, accompanied by 20 signatures of individual members.
In either case the Secretary shall call a Meeting to be held in not less
than 14 days. Copies of the motions shall be sent to Club Secretaries at
the same time as notification of the meeting.
iii) The Executive Committee may call a meeting at not less than 7 days notice.

3. MOTIONS TO DISMISS AN OFFICER
a) Shall be submitted in writing.
b) By the Executive Committee. c) Accompanied by 20 Signatures of Individual Members. Upon receipt of such a motion the Secretary shall call a meeting in not less than 7 days and not more than 21 days.

www.bradfordchess.org.uk - Page Last Updated: Wednesday, 8th September 2010
News	2010 Results	Grading List	Scorecards	Congress	Archive News	Individuals	Links

The Bradford and District Chess Association Constitution 2010-2011

2010-2011 Grading List

Season 2009-2010 Award Winners