Tournament Rules for County & District Correspondence Chess Championships

2007/8 season

1   Play and Control  (A) Games shall be played in accordance with the FIDE laws of Chess where applicable.  (B) Team Captains (TCs) shall be responsible for the progress of the games.  TCs shall attempt to resolve all matters with the opponent’s TC.  If this fails, both TCs shall refer the matter to the Controller for his decision.  (C) The Controller is responsible for the proper conduct of the Tournament.  For this purpose he may use any means he considers appropriate.  These must of course not be in contradiction to the Rules of play and the Tournament Rules.  (D) All correspondence in respect of time claim, disputes, adjudication and appeals shall be transmitted by first class post.

2   Transmissions (A) Moves shall be numbered and sent (B) in algebraic or a mutually agreed notation (C) on postcards (or letters) [ but see Par 2.N] (D) bearing the name and address and signature of the sender and (E) a correct repetition of the opponent’s latest move(s) and confirmation of the postmark date.  (F) The sender shall record on the post-card (G) the date on which the opponent’s latest move was delivered and (H) the anticipated postmark date of the reply.  (I) Failing this, reasonable dates shall be assumed by the recipient and notified with the reply move.  (J) When the anticipated postmark date does not agree with the postmark, this shall be corrected by the recipient and the sender informed with the reply move.  (K) The time used for the move [cf. Par. 6D] and the accumulated time for the game shall also be recorded.  (L)  First class post shall be used for the transmission of moves but (M) If both players agree, moves may be transmitted by e-mail or fax.  (N) Score sheets or scorecards may be used only if both players agree; they must understand that this method of transmission does not provide positive proof of the moves played or the dates of transmission and receipt.

3   Failure to reply (A) Should there be no reply to any move within 14 days plus the average time in the post both ways, the full details shall be repeated.  (B)  If no reply is received after a further 14 days plus time in the post a second repetition must be sent.  (C) Should there be no reply to the second repetition within a further 7 days the Team Captain (TC) shall be informed.  (D) Games in which no moves have been sent for 4 months may be scored as lost to players.  (E)  The use of recorded delivery to provide evidence of postage/receipt is optional.

4   Moves and Continuations  (A) No legal move shall be retracted after posting - clerical errors are binding if they are legal moves.  A correct repetition of the latest move is necessary for the sender’s reply move to be valid.  (B) Illegible or illegal moves shall be referred back to the sender for immediate correction but without any obligation to move the piece in question.  (C) A blank card or a card posted without a reply move shall be treated as an illegible move.  (D) The omission or addition of chess indications (such as “check”, “captures”, “en passant”) is without significance.  (E) Proposals of conditional continuations are binding until the recipient makes a different move from that proposed.  (F) Any accepted continuation move shall be correctly repeated with the reply.  (G) When no reply is made to an accepted conditional continuation it shall be treated as an illegible move.

5   Records and Reports  (A) All transmissions from the opponent concerning the game and a record of the moves and dates shall be kept until the end of the tournament and sent to the TC upon request.  (B) Changes of permanent address shall be notified to the TC and opponent.  (C)  The TC must be notified immediately of any disagreement between competitors about the game.

6   Time allowed and Penalties  (A) Each competitor is allowed 20 days for every 10 moves.  (B) Time saved shall be carried forward.  (C) The time used for each move is the difference in days between the date on which the opponent’s last move was delivered and the postmark date of the reply.  (D) Time in the post is not counted.  (E) Accepted continuation moves are included in the time taken for the reply move.  (F)  The starting date of the Tournament is as stated on the Pairing Notice or when the White player receives his Pairing Notice, whichever is later.  The time of reflection begins on the starting date.  Players who get their Pairing Notices before the starting date may start play; in that case time of reflection will not be counted until the starting date.

7   Time Exceeding  (A) Claims that the time limit has been exceeded shall be sent to the TC with full details at the latest when posting  the 10th, 20th etc. move.  (B) At the same time, the opponent shall be informed.  (C) Any protest shall be sent to the TC within 14 days of receiving the information otherwise the claim shall be deemed to be conceded.  (D) The TCs shall inform both players of the decision.  (E) If a claim for exceeding the time limit is upheld, then the player who has exceeded the time limit shall forfeit the game.

8   Leave  (A) Each competitor may take up to 14 days leave during the stipulated period of play.  (B) Players taking leave must inform their opponents and the TC in advance.  (C) In addition the TCs may grant up to 14 days’ additional leave which in exceptional circumstances may be backdated.  (D) If a player answers a move during his leave, the leave is cancelled and normal time shall be counted.

9   Withdrawal  In the event of withdrawal or death of a team member during the first three months of play, his place may be taken by one of the reserve players who shall continue the game from the position and time reached.  Such substitution shall be made within 14 days of the TC being informed that his player has stopped answering or has withdrawn.  If necessary, a copy of the game score and time used shall be provided by the opponent.  If a game score cannot be supplied, then the game shall be scored as a loss to both teams.  When the reserves are in play, or after three months of play, any subsequent case of withdrawal shall result in the loss of the game.  If a player dies after this period the TCs shall decide whether the game shall be or adjudicated or continued by an additional substitute player.

10  Adjudication  (A) If no result has been agreed by June 30th players shall submit to the TCs by 5th July a record of the moves made, (B) the position reached and (C) a statement claiming either a win or a draw which may be supported by analysis.  (D) Competitors not wishing to submit analysis forfeit the right to appeal.  (E)  Positions for adjudication must be posted to the Controller no later than 20th July. (F) The Controller shall notify the adjudicator’s decision to both TCs indicating whether or not it is subject to appeal.

11  Adjudication Appeals  (A) Appeals are the responsibility of the TCs.  Any appeal against the adjudicator’s decision must be posted to the Controller within 7 days of receiving the notification,  (B) whereupon the Controller shall obtain a ruling from another adjudicator and notify the result to both TCs.  The ruling is final and no further appeal shall be accepted from either TC.  (C) Additional analysis may be submitted with an appeal.

12  Reporting Results  (A) As soon as possible after ending a game, each player should send the result and a clear record of the moves made to his TC.  (B) The result is officially recorded only after receipt of this record.  (C) Should no record be received from either player, the result may be scored as lost by both.

13  Decisions and Appeals  (A) The Controller may penalise or disqualify competitors who break these rules and (B) any matter not covered in them shall be decided by the Controller.  (C) Any TC may appeal within 14 days of receiving a decision of the Controller to the BFCC Secretary.  The appeal shall be referred to the appropriate committee of the BFCC whose decision shall be final.