1. Teams shall consist of four players who should be played in descending order of rating strength, with the flexibility of up to 75 rating points per board. This includes all players - whether they have actual ratings, or estimated ratings if they are unrated or have a 'P' (partial) rating. 

 

The ECF rating list published at the start of August 2024 shall apply throughout the season, save that an unrated player who subsequently obtains a rating, or a player with a 'P' (partial) rating who subsequently obtains a non 'P' rating, shall use the new rating for all subsequent matches. 

 

2. Away teams to play with the white pieces on odd numbered boards.

 

3. Clocks to be started at 7.15pm or 7.30pm depending on home team’s start time. However, in exceptional circumstances (e.g.  being required to vacate the premises at 10.00 pm) the home club may request a 7.00pm start. The away team then have the option of accepting that, or reverting to the advertised 7.15pm or 7.30pm start with a reduction in playing time.

 

4. Time control: All moves to be made in 80 minutes + 10 second increments (It has been agreed that Division 4 teams will play all moves in 60 minutes due to the higher number of school age players). 

In all games, a player who fails to start play within 1 hour of the agreed start time will lose by default.

 

5. Game points: 1 point scored for a win, ½ point for a draw.

 

6. Match points: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw.

 

7. All games must be decided on the occasion of the match.

 

8. Match results must be sent to the Records Secretary or recorded on the ECF LMS system within 2 days of the match.

 

9. Requests to change fixtures after the Fixtures Meeting must be copied in to the Records Secretary. The new date and time for the fixture must be agreed with the Records Secretary. Any team requiring to cancel a fixture must give at least 72 hours notice to the opposing team and the Records Secretary (except in the event of inclement weather or traffic emergency which prevents travel) and within 7 days agree a new date for the match. Failure to give sufficient notice will result in the default of the match unless the opposition team agrees to reschedule (there is no obligation to do this should they wish to claim a default win).

 

10. Where a club has two teams in any division, a player (including lower team reserves) may not play for both teams.

 

11. Players may play for one club only in a given division. If a player wishes to play for another club in the same division, the player must notify the Records Secretary in writing giving at least 14 days’ notice before their first match for the new club. Players may play for different clubs in different divisions. Players may only play for one club in the Chase Trophy & Chase Shield.

 

12. All games will be sent for rating.

 

13. Rating limits. The total combined rating of the four players in a team shall be less than the following limits:

Division 1: 7500 ECF  Division 2: 6750 ECF  Division 3: 6000 ECF  Division 4: 5250 ECF Chase Trophy: 7125 ECF Chase Shield: 5625 ECF

 

14. Registration of players with the League is not necessary as the League will run on a basis of trust.

To this end, team captains will be trusted to estimate fairly the approximate rating of unrated or 'P' (partial) rated players. This estimated rating is expected to change on a game-by-game basis as a player's results will influence it. Initially the 'P' rating should just be used by captains as a rough guide, however, the more games that a player plays, then the more accurate the 'P' rating will be. It should become a much stronger guide to influence a captain's rating estimations as a player's experience increases until he/she receives an actual rating. Until a player achieves a full rating (usually after 10 games) captains must at least award them the minimum rating in each division as follows:

​

Division 1: 1500 ECF  Division 2: 1350 ECF  Division 3: 1200 ECF  Division 4: 1050 ECF Chase Trophy: 1425 ECF Chase Shield: 1125 ECF

Captains should use actual ratings for players who have a full rating below the unrated minimum.

 

Players who have lost their rating but have held a grade or rating in the 5 years previous to the current date must use the most recent grade or rating when assessing team strength.

A player may appeal against this rule, if they feel their personal circumstances are such that the rule should not apply to them. Such appeal must be lodged in writing with the Record Secretary setting out the reason and circumstances of the appeal at least 28 days before the player intends to play their first match. Appeals received later than the 28 day limit will not be considered for the imminent match season but may be considered for the following season.

 

15. Defaulted boards shall count as at least the minimum rating allowed for that Division or the Chase Trophy/Shield.

 

16. Division Champions: The champions of each division will be the team with the highest number of match points to their credit. In the event of a tie, the winners will be determined on the following basis:

i) results of the matches between the tied teams; next

ii) games difference (games won minus games lost, as for goal difference); finally

iii) greatest rating profit in the matches between the teams (i.e. the team with the lowest rating total will be the winners).

 

17. The number of League rounds to be played will be as follows:

If 7 or fewer teams are entered in a division then matches will consist of home and away ties. If 8 or more teams are entered in a division then matches will consist of 1 round only.

 

18. If 2 teams from the same club are playing in a division then the Records Secretary will give a set date by which their games against each other should be played.

 

19. The Chase Trophy & Chase Shield. The competitions are open to all clubs who enter a team or teams in any Division of the League. They are to be contested on a knockout basis with matches for each round to be played before the date assigned by the Tournament Secretary. Where possible, clubs shall be drawn so that they alternate home & away fixtures.

If a match ends in a draw then the result will be decided by:

i) board count; next 

ii) discounting of bottom boards; finally 

iii) the match will be awarded to the away team 

 

20. Individual Tournaments are open to all active CDCL players, with a discretion for the Tournament Secretary to accept entries from new/junior members who have yet to play in the League.

 

21. The League entry fee will be £7 per team, to be paid to the Treasurer at the fixtures meeting (Wednesday 3rd July 2024) by cash or cheque, or via bank transfer. There is no entry fee for either the Chase Trophy, Chase Shield or Individual Tournaments.

 

22. Clubs will be responsible for any costs imposed by the ECF as a result of a player not being an ECF member.

 

23. Mobile phones must be switched off or rendered silent for the duration of the match. If a ring tone is heard, the opposing player should remind their opponent of this rule. A second infringement in the same game will result in the game being forfeited by the guilty player.

 

24. Any infringements of these rules will result in penalties being levied on the offending teams.