Talking Points - Shropshire Chess

To put your point of view on this page email:- keithtabner@hotmail.com
Teams of four players
I put forward the following idea for discussion for next season,that teams should consist of  four players. The benefits as I see it are that this would help clubs maintain, and in some cases increase the number of teams in the league and would make travel more comfortable ie 4 in a car rather than 5 and in some cases would ease travel costs.This would also hopefully cut down on the number of default games in the league. John Casewell 01/06/2010
Cox Trophy
I have replied to David Everington on this subject concerning a quickplay format for the cox trophy in 2011, I have already stated that though I can see the attraction for such a format to some individuals sadly quickplay has never been my game even less so as I have got a lot older, should this be passed I do wish you well with this but sadly I would not consider entering such an event myself?!    regards Eugene Raby 31/05/2010
Cox Trophy
Hi Toby - Good thinking - clearly the present format doesn't work - the rules are so tough that it's almost impossible to field a team.
At the Darwin Chess Festival 2003, John Casewell organised a team rapidplay event which proved popular. Held on Saturday in the Darwin Centre in Shrewsbury in full view of the shoppers, each club fielded one team of four players (as four can fit into one motorcar, he considered this to be most economical for transport costs). Any extra players went into a pool to top up incomplete teams - thus ensuring that every club was represented. It was great fun - perhaps that is the way forward? Keith Tabner 31/05/2010
Cox Trophy
I agree with Dave re. Telepost venue, although, would it be big enough? Newport British Legion would be big enough, but out of the way!! Toby, a good idea - Tony Holdford 31/05/2010
Cox Trophy
Toby - I like the idea. The present format is proving very difficult. Shrewsbury A had to pull out this year because I couldn't raise a team to go to Ludlow at two days notice. Perhaps the knock-out element could be dropped and we could have a quick-play team Swiss event at ten minutes each so everyone gets an evening's chess. Dave Lovegrove's idea of a Shrewsbury venue makes sense geographically but I imagine Telepost would not be big enough and Shrewsbury isn't much bigger - and has no bar!
However, why I think this might work, somewhere, is because the Summer quickplay tournaments which Jim Wilkinson used to organise when Shrewsbury had the former, quite large, venue were very popular and well supported. David Everington 31/05/2010
Cox Trophy
Toby, O.K. by me except it may be better if the venue was in Shrewsbury (Telepost ? with a bar also)  as this is a half way post so that the likes of Ludlow,Oswestry and Church Stretton were not disadvantaged with the travelling. Dave Lovegrove 31/05/2010
Cox Trophy
Hi everybody - I'm planning to put an idea to the Shropshire Chess Association AGM and would like you all to consider it as it will avoid having to explain in detail at the meeting.
I'm going to suggest that, as a trial, the Cox Trophy is held in 2011, as a one night knockout tournament played at a rapid time control. The idea is to try to make it a fun, social event, and revive some enthusiasm - there have been nine withdrawals already this year, and the danger is that a team could get to a late stage of the competition purely on byes, which obviously devalues the competition. Venue: Shifnal & Telford. (They are happy for this).
Time limit: 10 minutes per player. Organisers (probably me, I should imagine) would though have discretion for a slightly longer time limit if there was a low entry.
Organisation: If there was a full entry of 16 teams in round one, because of lack of tables and sets this would have to be played as two sets of four matches, played back to back. The same in round two (when other teams join the competition). If there was a lower entry, there would be scope for adapting this accordingly.
Substitutions: My first thought was none at all, but then I thought maybe there would be scope to allow teams to have a squad system, drawing on, say, seven players for each team. This would mean that if they did not have quite enough players to field two teams, they could at least give everybody a game - if they got through round one of course.
Finale: Trophy presentation. There could also be a 3rd/4th place playoff.
The idea is to bring a bit of a "buzz" back to the competition. Only those teams which wanted to take part in the Cox would take part. There is a bar at Shifnal & Telford so there would hopefully be a good atmosphere and it wouldn't be boring for players waiting (with a short time limit, there would never be a great wait).
Disadvantages are that half the field would only get a few minutes' of chess before being knocked out (with luck they would head for the bar and then become spectators for later games, especially if clubmates were still involved). And of course a lot of people don't like rapid time limits. Also, the standard of chess would not be great.
Feedback/suggestions/criticisms/improvements welcome! Toby Neal 30/05/2010

Summer Chess
Just a response to the request for ideas to liven up interest in the summer competitions. I like Steve Rooney's idea of trying something different, like experimenting with a rapidplay format for the Minor, or both. - Toby Neal 01/03/2010

Illegal moves
Due to a recent incident in a First Division match I have been asked to clarify the position regarding illegal moves. Please ensure that all your club players are aware of the FIDE rule 7.4a and b accordingly.
I sought the opinions from the President and two senior players unconnected with the two clubs involved. They all agreed with me that the player claiming the two minutes was entitled to do so. This would apply after the player making the illegal move has pressed the clock.
 
To quote from the President's response "My view is that (the player's) action is 'legal, normal and reasonable'. He is acting in accordance with FIDE rules and showing awareness of them, which is precisely what we have asked Shropshire players to do since last season's difficulties."
Vincent Crean - League Controller 15/02/2010
 
Article - 7.4 - From FIDE Laws of Chess
a. If during a game it is found that an illegal move, including failing to meet the requirements of the promotion of a pawn or capturing the opponent's king, has been completed, the position immediately before the irregularity shall be reinstated. If the position immediately before the irregularity cannot be determined the game shall continue from the last identifiable position prior to the irregularity. The clocks shall be adjusted according to Article 6.13. The Articles 4.3 and 4.6 apply to the move replacing the illegal move. The game shall then continue from this re-instated position.
 
b. After the action taken under Article 7.4.a, for the first two illegal moves by a player the arbiter shall give two minutes extra time to his opponent in each instance; for a third illegal move by the same player, the arbiter shall declare the game lost by this player. However, the game is drawn if the position is such that the opponent cannot checkmate the player's king by any possible series of legal moves.

 

Amended Fixtures Divs 2 & 3
Please can you ensure that all team captains are aware that there has been a shake up in both league Division 2 and 3 over the past few days / hours!!
a) Shrewsbury C in division two have sadly had to fold, - more information related to this can be found under "talking points" on the website.
b) I have allowed a very late entry in Division 3, for Ludow to field a 2nd team "Ludlow B". This is excellent news for promoting chess in the county (But quite some work for me !!)

In light of both these issues I have amended the fixtures accordingly - (I have scratched all Shrewsbury C's matches) and I have had to alter quite significantly the 3rd Division fixtures to include Ludlow B - I have however, kept the first games of the season (week begining 12th October) the same, so that you all have approximately 3 weeks to notify and rearrange fixtures with all chess players involved.
All the latest fixtures have been updated and are displayed on the website and can also be downloaded in excel format.
I hope this will not cause to many problems, however if you do have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.
Many Thanks - Vinny Crean - League Controller 01/10/09

Shrewsbury C team has folded
I'm afraid that our C team has now definitely folded.  Ian Davies has had to relinquish his captaincy on account of work commitments and a number of the C team players have reduced their involvement with league chess.  The fixture against our B team last Friday couldn't be arranged so I don't see any hope for fixtures against other teams, I'm afraid.
Anyway, please could you put an announcement on the website and scratch the C team fixtures. Thanks very much. Francis Best 27/09/09

Shrewsbury Chess Club - Venue Change
For those of you who have not been to the club recently, you ought to be aware that our meeting room at Shelton Hospital has been changed.  We are now in the Shropshire Suite (IT Training Rooms).  This applies to all Shrewsbury teams, including the juniors.  Our club night is still Fridays.

To reach the new rooms, travel down Somerby Drive, away from Welshpool Road but carry on past the entrance to the old venue.  Carry on past Winterton Way and Napoleon Drive, both on your left.  As you come to the “No through road sign”, there is a sign to the right to the Shelton Hospital.  Turn right here and follow the road round to the right.  Carry on past the newer buildings on your right;  the road goes down to the left, leading towards the hospital chapel.  Park, if necessary, at this point.  The entrance to our building is signposted “Older People's Services” by a blue hospital sign (our building is opposite the chapel, to the left if your back is to the chapel).  Entrance is through an automatic(-ish) door.  Go up to the first floor, through the double doors and our rooms are on the left.
We will try to get in the habit of displaying a sign near the opening, so that you know you are in the right place! - Francis Best Secretary, Shrewsbury Chess Club 10/09/09

Lift to weekend rapidplay - can you help please?
We have a new player at Wellington, Vikas Sharma, who is over from India on a work contract. He is living and working in Telford and expects to be here about six months.
Vikas is a strong player (beats me every time, not that that's difficult) and particularly wants to go to weekend rapidplay tournaments i.e. one-day tournaments. But he has no transport.
Can the word go out that if there are any Shropshire chess players going to weekend tournaments around the country, could they mention it to Vikas as he might want to cadge a lift?
He is staying at The Rock, Telford.
His email address is sharma_vikas1@rediffmail.com - Toby 23/06/09
re Shropshire Chess Association AGM Wednesday 1st July 2009
Below is a copy for information of some proposals for amendments to league rules following discussions with other players this season. The league's constitution says that amendments can only be proposed by the Rules and Disputes Committee but Colin has agreed to send this to the other members of that committee (I think that is Ian Willson, Richard Thompson and Francis Best). They may decide to amend them or not accept them at all, but I thought it was worth letting you have sight of the original proposals. I don't imagine the proposals will be universally accepted but I think it is worth debating nonetheless.
Steve Rooney - Church Stretton 03/06/09

Shropshire Chess Association Proposed rule amendments
GENERAL
AMENDED RULE 4
Each club must register its players with the League Controller at the start of each season, before the first fixture in which they play. Late registration may be carried out at any time during the season, as long as the information is received no later than the first match result involving the player(s). Each club shall notify the league controller before the first match of the season of four nominated players for each team represented in the league. Nominated players may not play for another team from that club in a lower division. Penalties for breaches of the rule are stipulated at rule 21.

[comment]
The nomination of four players per team is already the practice, but is not actually mentioned in the rules.

TEAMS
AMENDED RULE 7
A member of a club may represent only one team for that club, unless the reserve provisions in Rule 8 apply. If a club has more than one team in a division, members of that club may only play in one of its teams in that division, including as reserves. If a player is a member of more than one club, he/she may only play for one team within a division.

[comment]
This would prevent reserves being drawn from another club team in the same division. Some have argued in the past that the current provision avoids defaulting of boards but the rule has led to controversy in recent seasons and is clearly open to abuse by clubs.

AMENDED RULE 8
8a
A reserve may be drawn from a team from the same club in a lower division, as follows:

8a
Players graded below 90 can play up into a team in a higher division without restriction,

8b
Players graded above 90 can play up into a team in a higher division on two occasions. He/she becomes a member of the team in the higher division on the third occasion for the remainder of the season. Where a reserve wins by default the result will count as an appearance for the team in the higher division.

8c
Penalties for breaches of rule 8 are stipulated at rule 22.

[comment]
This removes the terms 'higher' and 'lower' teams and clarifies that the provisions relate to teams in higher and lower divisions. The grading limits for reserves are amended to take account of changes in the ECF system next season and also simplified to have just above and below grade 90, rather than the existing three bands which are an unnecessary complication.

MATCH DETAILS
RULE 11

Players must be arranged in grading order according to the latest ECF grading list, except that players on adjacent boards whose grading differs by no more than 10 points shall be regarded as interchangeable for the purposes of this rule. Penalties for breaches of this rule are specified at rule 23.

[comment]
This amendment follows the ruling made this year by the League Controller. The current league rules are ambiguous and are subject to different interpretations.

PENALTIES

22. Where rule 8c is breached:

a) all results achieved by the player for the team in the lower division following his/her third appearance for the team in the higher division will be treated as losses by default for match purposes.

[comment]
This is in line with earlier amendment about teams in higher and lower divisions