Online version of the Constitution and the Rules
Constitution
1. The League shall be called
the "North Circular Chess League".
2. The object of the League
shall be to encourage the practice of chess in every way.
3. The League shall affiliate to
the English Chess Federation.
4. The Officers of the League
shall be its Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Match Captain and
Grader, who together with two other members shall form the League Management
Committee ("LMC") responsible for the management of the League. Four
members shall form a quorum.
5. The LMC shall appoint
annually delegates to the English Chess Federation. The LMC may delegate such
powers to any Sub-committee it considers appropriate.
6. The LMC and Sub-committees
shall have power to co-opt non-voting members.
7. The Annual General Meeting
("AGM") of the League shall be held in the first week in September or
as near this time as possible for the following purposes:
a) The presentation of reports
on the season’s activities and an audited statement of the accounts for
the financial period ended 30th June.
b) To determine the
subscriptions and affiliation fees for the ensuing year.
c) The election of Officers for
the ensuing year.
d) The election of two other
Members to serve on the LMC for the ensuing year.
e) The appointment of an
Auditor.
f) The transaction of business
shown on the agenda and other business, which may arise.
A quorum shall comprise eight persons entitled to attend. Not less
than fourteen days prior to the date arranged, notice of the meeting and the
agenda shall be circulated to Members of the LMC and Secretaries of the
affiliated clubs. Any items for inclusion on the agenda for the AGM to be
submitted in writing to the Secretary on or before the 31st July.
8. The following shall be
entitled to attend and vote at the AGM:
a) Members of the LMC.
b) Two members of each
affiliated club.
On all matters voting shall be
on the basis of one vote for each person present and entitled to vote,
irrespective of the fact that a person may attend in more than one capacity. In
the event of a tie, the Chairman of the meeting shall have a second and casting
vote.
9. A Special General Meeting of
the League shall be called by the Secretary at the instruction of the LMC or
within thirty days of written requisition from no less than three affiliated
clubs, stating clearly the nature of the business to be transacted. No other
business may be considered. Circulation of the notice of the meeting, quorum
and voting rights shall be the same as for an AGM.
10. This constitution shall not
be altered except by two-thirds of votes cast at an AGM or Special General
Meeting of the League convened for the purpose. Notice of any proposed
alteration or addition for discussion at an AGM shall be given to the Secretary
in writing before 31st July and included in the agenda.
Adopted September 1995
Amended 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2007
Organisation
Membership
Match
Arrangements Player
Eligibility
Rules
of Play Scoring
Disciplinary
Procedures
Lawrance
Cup Finchley
Cup Summer Rapidplay Kirby
Cup
1. The operation of
the League shall be administered by the Secretary. The Secretary shall be
assisted by the LMC.
2. The league season shall be from 1st September to 1st May inclusive
unless extended by the LMC.
3. The League shall
be structured in divisions, each division comprising not more than eight teams,
except at the discretion of the AGM.
4.
Teams in the A division shall comprise not less than six boards, teams
in all divisions below the A shall comprise not less than five boards.
5. Save with the
leave of the LMC, clubs may not operate more than one team in any division,
except the lowest division, an no club shall operate more than two teams in any
division except the lowest with leave of the LMC.
6. Clubs with more
than one team shall designate teams I, II etc., in order of playing strength.
Team I being the highest designated team.
7. At the end of the
season, the top team in Division B and in each lower division (if any) shall be
promoted to the next highest division. The bottom team in each division except
the lowest division shall be relegated to the next lowest division. The
following exceptions shall, however, prevail:
a. Where vacancies occur in a
division due to withdrawal and/or a team not being promoted in accordance with
Rule 5c, they may be filled at the discretion of the LMC by waiving relegation
and/or promotion of additional teams or the inclusion of new teams. Furthermore
the LMC shall have the right to leave a division below the full complement if
it considers this to be appropriate to the League.
b. Where relegation would cause
a club to exceed its quota in a division, the lowest placed team in that
division must also be relegated, even though that team has not necessarily
finished bottom position.
c. Where promotion would cause a
club to exceed its quota of teams in a division the promotion cannot be
effective.
8. In the
event of two or more eligible teams being level on points at the end of the
season, the winner of the division, and promotion and relegation shall be determined
by a play off or play offs between the teams concerned. Should the play off
result in a draw then board count followed by board elimination, if necessary,
will be applied. No new registrations shall be permitted for such matches.
9. All trophies shall be presented at the next AGM and engraved with the
names of the winning clubs.
10. Clubs wishing to
withdraw a team(s) shall only withdraw from the lowest division(s) excepting
where the LMC is satisfied that there is insufficient strength to support a
team(s) in a higher division.
11. If a team withdraws from the League during the season before it has
begun half of its scheduled fixtures, the matches played prior to withdrawal
shall be treated as null and void for the purposes of league placings, promotion,
relegation and cumulative defaults. If a team withdraws after beginning half or
more of its fixtures, the results of the fixtures played shall stand, and the
remaining matches scored as defaulted to the scheduled opponents.
12. Any club who
joins the League must have acceptable premises and also be within reasonable
traveling distance to the other clubs.
13. New clubs must
apply by 31st
July and give full
particulars of its venue and give in writing any information that the Secretary
may require.
14. The League shall register with the English Chess Federation Game Fee scheme.
15. All participating clubs shall abide by
these rules.
16. All member clubs shall make deposits as
determined at the AGM, to be
paid to the Treasurer by 1st October.
17. Deposits shall be used to finance any
fines, fees or levies. Any balance shall be settled at the end of the season.
18. No club shall participate in the League
until all previously outstanding debts have been settled.
19. If a club has not paid its Game Fee to
the Treasurer by 20th December, all matches played subsequently
until such time as the Game Fee is received by the Treasurer shall be recorded
as defaulted.
20. A meeting, at which all clubs shall be represented, shall be held in September, for the purposes of arranging fixtures. For clubs who are absent from this meeting, or who fail to arrange their fixtures on the night, the Secretary shall, where practicable arrange fixtures for them. These fixtures will be forwarded to the secretary of the club within
days of the meeting. If they wish to
rearrange any of these fixtures they must do so within fourteen days of the
fixtures meeting. Any fixtures not so rearranged shall be treated as accepted
by that club. Within twenty-one days thereof, each club shall send the
Secretary a list of its arranged fixtures. Any subsequent alteration shall be
notified to the Secretary by both clubs. Clubs are required to compete all
fixtures.
21. Each team shall
play each other team within its division twice, once home and once away. The
LMC shall be empowered to increase the number of matches played if the number
of teams in a division is low. In
exceptional circumstances and if both clubs agree they may play a single
fixture for double match points. The Secretary must give his permission for
such a fixture to occur.
22. Where a club has more than one team
within the same division, the teams shall play each other as their initial
fixtures of the season in that division.
23. Where a club
fails to honour a fixture, the opponents are entitled to claim the match if
less than seven days prior notice is given. If a minimum of seven days notice
is given, the match may be rearranged but the requesting club shall offer at
least two alternative dates and, if necessary waive choice of venue.
24. Matches shall
commence not later than
25. Smoking is not permitted in the playing
area during League matches.
26. The names of all players with their
scores shall be forwarded to the Secretary by both clubs within five days.
27. No player shall be allowed to play for
more than one club during a season, except by the leave of the LMC in their
absolute discretion.
28. No player shall be allowed to play in a
League match unless the Secretary has received notification of their name and
address at least seven days in advance.
29. By one week
before their first fixture clubs shall send the Secretary the names and
addresses of all players expected to play for them in the League during the
season. Further registrations may be added during the season in accordance with
Rule
28.
30. Clubs
entering more than one team
shall clearly indicate their three strongest members expected to play in each
team other than their lowest designated team. The players so indicated shall be
barred from playing in a lower designated team.
a. The LMC shall be
empowered to accept, reject or replace the name of a barred player and add to
whichever list it considered appropriate the name of any other player
registered for the League. In the case of new members being added to the barred
list the option of substitution may be applied for.
b. If a player was
declared for their club as "barred" the previous season, but did not
play, the LMC will only accept that player as an addition to the nominated
list.
c. A list of barred
players shall be circulated by the Secretary to all clubs, as shall a list of
subsequent amendments.
31. Except where
amended by these rules, all games shall be played according to the current Laws
of Chess as published by the English Chess Federation. In line with the Laws of
Chess both Match Captains (or their deputies) shall act as joint arbiters in
the case of a dispute or query in the course of a match.
32.
a. Match Captains or their
deputies shall exchange team lists at the agreed starting time and thereupon
toss for colours; the team winning the toss shall choose colours. A team unable
to produce a team list at the time shall be deemed to have lost the toss.
b. Teams shall be arranged in
descending order of playing strength.
c. A substitution may be made within
thirty minutes of the agreed start time if the nominated player on the team
list is absent when the substitution is made.
d. Where a board is defaulted at
the time team lists are exchanged, the default must appear below the contested
games in the board order.
33.
a. Chess clocks shall be used,
and should be set initially at 4.45. The rate of play shall be thirty moves in
the first one and quarter hours. When black has played its thirtieth move both
clocks shall be turned back 15 minutes and both players shall have the
remaining time to complete the game. All clocks shall be started at the
arranged time of commencement of the match
b. Thirty minutes from the
agreed starting time shall be allowed for any absent player, where after
(subject to Rule
32c) the absentee
shall forfeit the game.
34. Contrary to the FIDE Rule of
Chess 12.2 (b), mobile phones will be allowed into the playing area; however,
they must be turned off, or, with the express permission of the both match
arbiters, be set to silent mode for the course of the match. Either match
captain will be automatically allowed to have their mobile phone on in silent
mode for the period of the match allowed for substitutions, after that they are
treated the same as their team. If any mobile phone (not previously allowed for
silent mode) of a player in a match audibly rings during the course of their
game that player shall lose their game by default. If any mobile phone (not
previously allowed for silent mode) of a non-player in a match audibly rings
during the course of their game that non-player will be asked to leave the
playing area. Players/match captains must leave the playing area to make or
answer a mobile phone call.
35. In the match, two
points shall be scored by the winning team, one point for each team in the
event of a draw.
36. Subject to the discretion of the LMC,
teams will be penalised for defaulted games during the season by the deduction
of one match point for every four games defaulted. Ineligible players count as
defaults for cumulative purposes.
37.
a. A club may protest against
the alleged commission of any breach of the foregoing rules. Details must be
sent in writing to the Secretary within ten days.
b. In connection with any offence reported
to him or discovered by him, the Secretary shall take such action as lies
within his authority and, if necessary, refer the matter to the LMC for
decision.
38.
a. The Secretary shall be
empowered to impose the following penalties:
1. A fine of £1 for each
infringement of Rule
26;
2. The scoring of a loss to any
player who infringes any of Rules
27 to 30, and the award of the game to
their opponents if eligible;
3. Any other sanction authorised
under powers delegated by the LMC.
b. A club may appeal against any
decision of the Secretary under Rule
37b by writing to
the Secretary within fourteen days of notification. The appeal shall be
referred to the LMC, whose decision shall be final.
39.
a. The LMC shall be empowered to
impose the following penalties:
1. The suspension of a player or
match official from participating in the League until the end of the season;
2. The imposition of a fine of
£10 for each breach of Rule
22, or such lesser
penalties as it determines.
b. In connection with any
offence referred to the LMC, the club(s) shall have the right of non-voting
representation.
40. No person shall adjudicate a
dispute that involves their own club.
41. The LMC shall
rule upon any matter not covered by the foregoing rules.
42. No additions or alterations of these
rules shall be made, except by the majority of members present and voting at an
AGM.
1. The Lawrance Cup shall be a
knockout competition played over a minimum of four boards for all teams
entering the A Division. Teams will be allowed to opt out before the draw is
made, however was entered into the draw any withdrawals/defaults will be
handled as per League Rule 39a (2)
2. The draw for the Lawrance Cup
shall be made at the AGM.
3. The time limits for each
round shall be as follows:
1st round completed
by 31st October;
Quarter-finals completed by 31st
December;
Semi-finals completed by 28th
February; and the
Final completed by 30th
April.
4. The home team shall, within
fourteen days of notification by the Secretary, offer their opponents a choice
of three dates within the time limits specified in Rule 3. Non-acceptance of
these dates shall be deemed a default with the home team claiming the match.
5. Each match shall be played over two rounds, with the second round reversing the colours of the first with the same opponent. The rate of play for each round is all moves in 30 minutes (FIDE Rules of Chess, Appendix B will apply). The combined score from both matches will be used to determine to winner. In the case of the match being tied the combined scores of the lowest board will be omitted (board elimination) upwards until the scores are no longer level. Only in the event of this not breaking the tie shall the match be replayed. The replay will be at the premises of the away team and be played within three weeks of the original match or before the end date of that round, which ever is later).
6. The results shall be submitted for rapid-play grading under the English Chess
Federation’s Game Fee scheme.
1. The Finchley Cup shall be a
knockout competition played over a minimum of four boards for teams entering
the B and any lower divisions. Any players covered by League Rule 30 will be
barred from entering this competition.
3. Other rules as per the Lawrance Cup.
1. The Summer Rapidplay shall be a league tournament played over four boards with a season running from the start of May to the end of August.
2. The rules of the tournament shall be the same as the standardplay League except where noted below.
3. Each board shall have the following grade restrictions:
Board 1 No restriction
Board 2 Open to players graded under 170
Board 3 Open to players graded under 150
Board 4 Open to players graded under 130
4. A players eligibility will be based on their ECF grade - The January rapidplay list will be used in the first instance, followed by the August rapidplay grade, followed finally by the August standardplay grade. Players with no published ECF grade will be allowed to play.
5. Each match shall be played over two rounds, with the second round reversing the colours of the first with the same opponent. The rate of play for each round is all moves in 30 minutes (FIDE Rules of Chess, Appendix B will apply).
6. The results shall be submitted for rapid-play grading under the English Chess Federation’s Game Fee scheme.
1. The Kirby Cup shall be a
knockout competition for individual players.
2. The tournament organiser
shall be elected at the AGM and by default be the Secretary.
3. Each club may nominate two
eligible players by the 30th September. If the defending champion
wishes to enter, their club shall be allowed to nominate an extra player. Each
club shall pay £2 for each nomination, except the defending champion who shall
be allowed free entry.
4. A player is eligible to enter
if they have played for their club at least six times in the League in the
previous season.
5. The tournament organiser
shall circulate to the clubs a list of its eligible players.
6. The draw shall be un-seeded
and open except:
a. The defending champion shall
be exempt from any preliminary round.
b. Players registered with the
League for the same club shall not meet in either the preliminary or first round
(the first round is where the number of players is a power of 2).
7. Each round shall be decided
over a match or between two and five games. The draw for white in the first
game shall be random and then alternate. The time controls for each round shall
be as follows:
a. The first two games will be
rapid-play with both players having 30 minutes to complete each game.
If the score is 1-1 after these
games then:
b. The next two games will be
rapid-play with both players having 15 minutes to complete each game.
If the score is 2-2 after these
games then:
c. For the final game the
players shall again toss for colours. This game shall be blitz where white has
6 minutes and black 5 minutes. If the game finishes in a draw then the player
with black shall win the match.
The relevant FIDE laws of chess
for the different time controls shall cover all the games.
8. The results of the first two
games shall be submitted for rapid-play grading under the English Chess
Federation’s Game Fee scheme.
9. When the draw for each round
is issued the first named player in each match shall have the choice of venue
and must contact their opponent within seven days of the date of the draw and
offer them two dates. The opponent has the choice of which date to accept.
Should neither date be agreeable and no compromise possible then both players
shall contact the tournament organiser immediately to mediate. The tournament
organiser shall decide whether the reason for non-acceptance of the dates is
reasonable. If the reason is not satisfactory then the player either agrees a
date or loses by default. If the reason is satisfactory then the tournament
organiser shall confer and arrange a date as soon as practical.
10. Each round must be completed
by the following dates:
Final End of June
½ final End of May
¼ final End of March
Last 16 End of December
Last 32 End of October
11. The winner of the
competition shall hold the Kirby Cup for one year and must return the trophy
when asked to do so by the tournament organiser.