1)

No entries can be accepted except on an official entry form.  Additional forms can be obtained from the ECF Website or by contacting the ECF Office with a stamped addressed envelope.

2)

Competitors are expected to maintain acceptable standards of dress & behaviour.

3)

Prize Winners must attend the appropriate prizegiving for their event as announced in the programme. The main prizegiving will be held on Saturday 6 August at 9.30 am. Failure to attend without the prior permission of the Congress Manager or a Principal Arbiter may result in the forfeiting of the prize concerned.

4)

Every effort is made to place entrants in the tournament of their choice but the right is reserved to transfer an entry to another appropriate section. The right is reserved to refuse any entry. The Federation may deduct an administration fee from any refund to players who withdraw.

5)

A player withdrawing during any event without good cause will be liable to pay a full entry fee at any future event organised by the Federation and/or a bond returnable on satisfactory conduct during such events.

6)

Only food/drink bought at the venue may be consumed within that area.

7)

In all events other than the two Rapidplays, English players MUST be members of the English Chess Federation. Either quote your membership number on the Entry Form or complete a Membership Form and pay the appropriate Membership Fee. Click to download a membership form (PDF 115Kb).

Please note that photographs will be taken at the event which may be used for publicity purposes.  Any objection by an individual to the same being published should be notified to the event organisers.

The ECF Data Controller is Tina Weddell.

Entry to the Championships is deemed to be acceptance of these conditions.

INFORMATION FOR COMPETITORS
 

Grades/Ratings: - For the British, Major Open, Seniors and Under 16 FIDE ratings take precedence, then British national grades. These 4 events will be FIDE Rated. These Ratings now go down to 1200. For Adult Rapidplay Events, the current ECF Rapidplay grade of category A, B, C or D will take precedence over normal grades.

Entry to the Graded Championships will be determined by the 2010 ECF list or appropriate list for non-English players. Ungraded players must give details of any previous grades/ratings held.

Default time: - Players arriving 30 (10 for Rapidplay) minutes or more after the start of a session shall lose, unless the arbiter decides otherwise. Repairing will normally be offered after that time.
 

Programme: - A full programme can be downloaded from this website. An information leaflet will be available at the venue.

Bulletins: - All players in the British Championship will receive daily bulletins as part of their entry fee. A web bulletin will include games and information about most events at the Championships, including all final charts. A daily bulletin will be on sale and will contain a wide range of games from many sections. Competitors may also purchase a Commemorative Bulletin.

Surcharges: - A £5 surcharge will apply to entries made on the day of an event.

Mobile phones: - Competitors and spectators should avoid bringing phones to the venue. Players will be immediately defaulted if their mobile phone, or other electronic device, makes any sound in the playing area. Spectators whose phones make any sound may be barred. Players must not receive text messages, nor use any form of electronic storage, communication or computing device. To avoid accusations of cheating such as having a chess engine running or by receiving moves by text message all phones must be turned off. N.B. a phone which is in silent mode has NOT been switched off. Should any player consider that they have a sufficiently good reason for having a phone which is not switched off, e,g, a seriously ill relative, then the permission of the tournament arbiter must be obtained.

Smoking: – This is not permitted anywhere in the playing venue.

Conduct of players: – The dress code is smart, casual. Players should be on their best behaviour.

Defaults & Withdrawals: - Players who default or withdraw from any event without good cause may be barred from future events. They will anyway be liable to pay a full entry fee at any future event organised by the Federation together with a bond returnable on satisfactory conduct during such events. If for any reason you have to withdraw please tell your arbiter promptly, certainly before the pairings for the next round are made.

Discussion of games: - The Laws of Chess specifically prohibit discussion of games in play. This includes what may seem like a harmless question like, ‘How are you doing in your game.’ While you are playing please do not visit the Bookstall, the Commentary Room, or the analysis room, nor analyse or play through someone else’s game.

Reporting of results: - The top two copies of the scoresheet must be handed in as soon as the game has finished to the arbiting point attached to your playing section. The bottom copy is for your use.

Recording of games: - The official Championship score sheets must be used by all players to record their games. Use of scorebooks/pads is not allowed. If you wish to use these please copy your game afterwards, not during the game.

Byes: - First round byes must be claimed on the entry form. Byes in subsequent rounds must be notified to the appropriate control team at the event and at least 24 hours before the relevant round. Entrants to Junior Championships and the Major Open will take byes in the Major Open unless obtaining the permission of the Chief Arbiter at least 24 hours in advance. Before making a decision the Chief Arbiter will consult with the relevant Principal Arbiters as to the overall effect on both events. In non-championship events, a round one bye may be claimed on the entry form. For other rounds, the section controller must be consulted at the event.

Competitors in junior events may not take a bye in round 1 of the Major Open.

Adjournments: - Games will not normally be adjourned. If exceptional circumstances require an adjournment, an arbiter will explain the procedure.

Appeals: - Appeals may be made against an arbiter’s decision on matters of the Laws of Chess or of administration. Appeals should be made to one of the following: Alex McFarlane, Peter Purland, Roger Edwards, Kevin Staveley or David Welch. If a player is dissatisfied with the decision he may further appeal to an Appeals Committee. An appeal to the Appeals Committee must be lodged with the Congress Manager in writing, stating the grounds for the appeal, and accompanied by a £20 deposit which is returnable if the appeal is successful. The grounds for appeal must be declared in writing within one hour of the Principal Arbiter’s decision regarding administration and within one hour of the end of the game for matters concerning the Laws. The Appeals Committee will be: - A Senior Arbiter in the chair, not connected with the dispute Two other qualified Arbiters not connected with the dispute Two players’ representatives.

Overlapping events: - Players may not take part in two tournaments on the same day if the sessions potentially overlap.

The following exceptions apply:-

Players may take a ½ pt bye in a Weekender if they are playing in a morning event.

Players may take a ½ pt bye in the Major Open if they have a junior afternoon round.

They must inform the Major Open Controller at least 24 hours in advance.

Players may take a ½ pt bye in round 7 of the Under 11 (if not in contention for a prize) in order to play in the Under 8 Championship.

Players in the British Championship may take a ½ pt bye in the junior pm round when playing in both.

Free Junior Coaching: - Free coaching is available every day during the championships (except Sunday July31st). Just go to the coaching area and say what you want.

You could:

• Analyse your games immediately after you have finished play.
• Get help to prepare before the game.
• Arrange a solo session on any aspect of the game.
• Join in a group session (and maybe win a prize!)
• Group sessions will be held on afternoons when there is no play in junior events. Topics will be advertised on posters during the championships.
• All this is absolutely free to any player under 21

Commentary: - International Master Andrew Martin will be giving daily commentary on the British Championships. Audience participation is welcome. This year the commentary has been split into two sessions so that spectators have an opportunity to discuss the crucial part of the games around the first time control. This year’s commentary will be arranged as follows:-

Session One:- 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. Break. Session Two:- 4:45 – 6:30 p.m.

Times are approximate and may be subject to slight amendments.

Grading: - Players without a current grade are not eligible for any grading prize. All standard play tournaments will be graded, using the 2011 Grading List as the basis for the calculations. Rapidplays will use the January 2011 list.

Notice of pairings: - Arbiters will endeavour to ensure that pairings for all events are posted as soon as possible. Arbiters cannot be expected to answer individual queries whilst working on the pairings. Afternoon events - Pairings should be displayed by 11:00 a.m. Morning events - Pairings should be displayed by 10.30 p.m.

Photocopying service: - Copies of games from earlier rounds will be available at 20p a sheet on a self-serve basis from the Congress Office.

Under 8 and Under 9: - Competitors for these events are asked to meet the event controllers prior to the commencement of play as follows: Under 8 to meet at 9:30 am on Friday 31 July in the Commentary Area Under 9 to meet at 11:30 am on Saturday 1 August in the Commentary Area

Major Open Change-Over: - After 6 rounds, players with poor scores may transfer to a junior championship or a 5-day tournament. A fee of £19 is payable, which is the equivalent to 50% of the normal entry fee.

Note: All the above information for competitors, and more, can be seen on the programme which you should read before the Championships begin.

 

ABOUT THE VENUE
Ponds Forge is a world class venue at the heart of the Sheffield community. It is an International Sports Centre with fantastic facilities and exciting opportunities for sport, leisure and entertainment. Having recently completed a refurbishment project, this impressive venue offers a wide range of health & fitness facilities.

Ponds Forge is at the south-western side of the major traffic Roundabout Park Square, conveniently placed for access in Sheffield City Centre. Within five to ten minutes walking distance of the bus & train interchange, the complex is also served by the nearby tramstop of Fitzalan Square/Ponds Forge. The Sheffield Parkway is a conveniently placed dual-carriageway that runs directly from Park Square to junction 33 of the M1 motorway.
 

ACCOMMODATION
There is a whole range of accommodation in Sheffield available for you. Whether you want 4 star accommodation just a few minutes walk from the venue, contemporary city centre apartments providing fully self-catered facilities, or B&B accommodation on a leafy green University campus within easy reach of the city centre you’ll find something to suit your taste and your budget! The tourism team in Sheffield have negotiated some really good rates for you and to make it even easier, if you follow this link you can find out all the details of the different options and book online.

https://www.conferencebookings.co.uk/delegate/YSTBRITISHCHESS11

This is the official accommodation booking website for the British Chess Championships. A special allocation of accommodation has been secured with a variety of accommodation providers across the city at negotiated rates. To secure a room from the allocation especially for competitors attending this event, all bookings should be made through the link above.

The ECF Office is unable to book accommodation.

All other queries to the:-

English Chess Federation,

The Watch Oak,

Chain Lane,

Battle, East Sussex TN33 0YD.

Tel: 01424 775222, Fax: 01424 775904

Email: office@englishchess.org.uk, website: www.englishchess.org.uk

	A Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England and Wales. Registration Number: 5293039. VAT Registration Number: 195643626. Registered Office: The Watch Oak, Chain Lane, Battle, East Sussex TN33 0YD