Season 2026-7

AGM Minutes 22nd July 2025 (Draft)

Download AGM Minutes in PDF Format

Sussex Chess League

Annual General Meeting 22 July 2025 Minutes

Attendees
Jeffrey Boardman – Chair (non-voting)
Julie Denning – Fixtures (non-voting)
Robert Wall – Treasurer (non-voting)
(League Officers may have held voting rights on behalf of their clubs)
James Mansson                Horsham
Roland Rattray                  Haywards Heath
Daniel Miller                       Horsham
Jim Wheeler                       Hastings
Robert Counsell                Brighton & Hove
Marc Bryant                       Hastings
Brian Stockham                Uckfield
Bill Tracey                           Bexhill
Graham Ewens                  Haywards Heath
Michael Hayward             Bexhill
Feliks Kwiatkowski          Haywards Heath
Russell Granat                   Worthing
Peter Larwood                  Worthing
Chris Jones                         Worthing
David Fryer                         Crowborough
Richard Welford               Lewes
Matthew Britnell              Lewes
Hoonam Honorvarmahalati Sussex University

Apologies: John Pye (East Grinstead Book Shop)

1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks and Apologies for Absence
The Chairman said he was quite pleased to address a full room. The Chairman thanked everyone for their interest in Sussex Chess and said the total of 37 teams was the highest level of interest in over a decade which was a great advertisement for local chess. The Chairman was very grateful as to the good spirit games were played in as he could not remember a season with so few disputes. It goes to show the rule changes including the move away from adjournments (while still technically possible) has smoothed over difficulties The Chairman said it was difficult to find volunteers and extended a round of applause to Julie managing the match fixtures to a high standard despite a September Holiday. The Chairman was also very grateful for Robert Wall and his support in organising the finances of the league including trying to source a new bank account. The Chairman requested that others consider becoming volunteers to join the committee to assist in the smooth running as fresh blood is needed to ensure the league continues to function. Various trophies remain missing and the Chairman not wanting to single any clubs out wished to pursue the missing trophies, but currently 2 Best Player tankards – Divisions 3 & 4 and one trophy is reported missing Division 3 and therefore additional trophies may need to be purchased
2. Review of Last Year’s Minutes.
The minutes of last year’s meeting were circulated some time previous and some members did not recall having received copies. David Fryer advised that a copy of the minutes were stored on the league website. The minutes were recommended adopted by Marc Bryant and seconded by David Fryer.
3. Secretary’s Report and Matters Arising
Currently there is an open position to act as the new league secretary and the position remains vacant. No report was given.
4. Treasurers Report and Matters Arising.
There was a review of the accounts revealing a reasonably healthy balance sheet with net assets of £803 and a surplus for the year of £183. The accounts are attached to these minutes.
4.1 Approval of change of bank to Zempler Bank
This was approved in the meeting – proposed by Chris Jones seconded by Matthew Britnall The Treasurer was asked to add a second signatory to the bank account.
4.2 – Proposed increase in fees
to £7 was varied to £10 per team proposed by Marc Bryant of Hastings, seconded by Daniel Miller of Horsham allowed by the chairman. Vote was carried to increase fees to £10.
4.3 – Proposed penalty/Administration fees of £10 per club
where clubs are subject to a fee from ECF for playing unregistered players. Discussions ensued involving excess and unnecessary administration to the treasurer involved in recharging ECF fees to clubs and how if at all/ how best this could be avoided. A rule change was approved to penalise clubs a penalty/administration fee for playing unregistered players. The Treasurer will advise clubs of the penalty fee and give clubs 30 days to validate or challenge the ECF penalty fee for playing unregistered player. If the ECF penalty fee is correct, then the Sussex League will add the £10 administration fee onto the ECF penalty fee to be charged to the club which played the unregistered player(s).
4.4 – Approval of accounts
Accounts were approved discussion on the basis of the committee looking into buying trophies. David Fryer mentioned that a Junior Rapid Play trophy was not needed as there were only a handful of teams entering at best.
4.5 Discussion of a possible merger.
Agreed it was for the committees of both leagues to get together to discuss first and then put discussions to the room. It was reported that Sussex County Chess had not recently been in touch and there was no indication that they were seeking a merger. Currently the feeling in the room was that Sussex County Chess was in decline, whilst the league is doing reasonably well. The question was what would a merger add to the Sussex Chess League? That said an added influx of committee members would be beneficial to better pool resources.
8. Election of Officers
Current officers were re-elected on a show of hands with thanks to David Fryer for the website. Julie mentioned for personal reasons she would be stepping down from playing chess, but would still make herself available for fixtures secretary if no other volunteers came forward. There is a vacancy of Secretary which needs to be filled. Currently there were no volunteers from the meeting. All existing committee members were re-elected.
9. County Adjudication Secretary’s Report and Matters Arising
There had been no formal adjudications, whilst some matches did become adjourned these were all resolved amicably by agreement.
10. SCCA Matters relating to the League (and ECF)
Peter Farr was not in attendance, and there was nothing to report. It was discussed that there had been some political changes throughout the year, with a renewal of the ECF Board including greater levels of female representation. The new parties getting involved seemed to have energy and it will be seen how this progresses but there was nothing of note to report on currently. There were brief discussions on merger of Silver/ Gold memberships but this was not seen to have a big impact worthy of discussion in the meeting.
11.a Review of current arrangements on Team Size, and a proposal to keep the team size for a further 2 years.
This was debated on club lines with reasoned arguments delivered by those that felt it was best to revert to 5 player teams coming particularly from Horsham. However some of the smaller clubs such as Uckfield requested we keep teams at 4 to enable them to fully commit for another season. Concerns were raised about travelling in cars with 5 adults and whether some clubs would have enough drivers for away fixtures. It was reported that there were a low level of defaults this season in relation to other seasons where 5 player teams were the norm. Some of the larger clubs spoke that the reversion to 5 players would give more club players a chance to play. However, Bexhill advised that it may result in a reduction in the number of overall teams in the league in some divisions. A discussion was had to review some of the higher leagues teams as opposed to lower league teams to address these concerns. However these proposals were not put to clubs in advance of the meeting and it was discussed by the Chairman as these reflect fundamental rule changes to the league they could not be heard. The vote to retain the existing arrangement was carried by a small margin 13 to 7. It was discussed that the rule of teams could be heard at next year’s AGM and this was not a veto against more discussion over the next few years, but more thought and consideration ought to be given in advance so clubs could consider proposals.
Proposed Rule Changes – Team order of strength
(a) 11a Team Order of strength
Proposal (Crowborough) Current Rule 5.2 In each match a team must play in descending order of current playing strength. It is recognised for many reasons a players rating may not be the best guide to current form and reasonable discretion is allowed in this area. Nevertheless for K-ratings players should play in order of decreasing rating, subject to an allowable difference of 100 rating points*. For P-ratings the Tournament Controller may require a team captain to justify his team order and should he/ she be satisfied that the provisions of this rule have been clearly disregarded to the detriment of the opposing team he/ she shall refer to the Management Committee who may adjust the match result as it seems appropriate. Where * is the Official Revised Monthly Rating set by the ECF for each player. 5.2 In each match a team must play in descending order of current playing strength. The ratings used are the Official Revised Monthly Rating as published on the day of the match by the ECF. Match Captains are recommended to write the ratings down of each player on the match card prior to the match to avoid unnecessary confusion. A and K rated players should play in order of decreasing rating subject to an allowable difference of 100 rating points. P rated players should be treated the same as unrated players and played in the order of their estimated playing strength. An exception to this rule is if a team substitutes after the start of the match, a later player with a reserve. If requested to do so by the opposing captain the team captain will be required to justify their team order to the satisfaction of the Tournament Controller. A minor amendment was agreed to the proposed rule, is that either the opposing captain, the Fixtures Secretary, Tournament Controller or other member of the committee would be able to raise discrepancies in team selection. No other parties could raise this as an issue. Another minor amendment was that we were to include best practice guidelines for team captains to write down the ratings of team members on the team sheet in advance of the fixture. This would alleviate most of the perceived inadvertent rule breaches. Overall there was significant debate over the merits of the new rules as to whether they were needed and how on several occasions teams had point deductions during the year due to inadvertent rule breaches with fast improving juniors. The motion was passed by significant majority on the basis of the minor inclusions. 11c
Sussex University Proposal – Enforcement of FIDE rules in regards to electronic devices in all competitions run by Sussex County Chess.
There was discussions about an incident that affected Sussex University and the advantages of adopting FIDE rules in all competitions for clarity. Various discussions ensued about whether captains are geared up to implement FIDE rules, what are the Fide rules and how this would apply? Members of the Worthing advised there was a medical need to keep a phone on during the game and how this would impact genuine cases of hardship. It was discussed, if this were the case, the genuine reason would be advised to captains/ opponents in advance and the recommended protocol would be that phone would be kept on silent to not disturb other players. Questions about whether phones still actually disturb players and whether the FIDE rules were there to police cheating and whether this was actually a problem in the league. It was agreed that due to a lack of detail on the actual rules to be implemented in the proposal the league committee would not be able to adopt the proposal in the current year. It was agreed that Sussex University would review the existing rules, FIDE rules and make specific suggestions for improvements for inclusion in the rules. No vote was held on the specific proposal as the proposer agreed it lack the detail to be put for a vote this year.
(b) The Playing Session Proposal (Crowborough) 8.1.2 Where the FIDE Laws of Chess require the intervention of an arbiter the clock should be stopped and the players should quietly resolve the issue between themselves. If this is not possible then they should retire from the playing area and consult an appropriate member of the home club. ( the intention is to avoid the disturbance to other players caused by any dispute regarding the Laws of Chess. By appropriate member I mean an experienced player who knows the rules or can look them up and preferably someone who is not currently playing a game in the match.) A long discussion of the merits ensued or having other pre-nominated persons. Smaller clubs may have issues with the rules. Proposal was withdrawn.
12. Location for 2026 AGM Lewes venue seemed ideal, and subject to availability agreed that Lewes is most suitable. Lewes club made the point that due to St Mary’s Supporters club opening hours the meeting ought to start at 7:45pm, not 7:30pm and it ought to be noted that this time is essential to allow the club to open properly. The venue was proposed by Lewes and there were no dissentions in the room to this being the venue for the forthcoming year.
13. Any other business There was discussion over the missing trophies and it was agreed that the committee members would continue investigations with the relevant club to obtain the trophies, and whether clubs could be liable if trophies go missing, and whether trophies should be retained at a central cabinet to avoid them going missing. It was agreed that Committee members would look into sourcing a replacement trophy. Hooman of Sussex University outlined a new Sussex University IM norm tournament/ Open tournament he was organising on the second May bank Holiday and was seeking sponsorship. It was discussed this type of expenditure would be a matter for the committee and would not need to be put for a club vote. Post meeting note - Sussex Chess league agreed to sponsor the best Sussex player £100 in the open. Further details are awaited from Sussex University Club on the missing trophies. Meeting closed at 10 pm.

League Rules 2026-7

Download League Rules in PDF format

Operative from September 2026

1 League structure

1.1 Membership
Membership of the league shall be open to all clubs in Sussex. Member clubs may enter one or more teams in the annual competition, subject to any maximum imposed from time to time on the number permitted.

1.2 Organisation
The league shall be organised in divisions, the size and number of which shall be periodically reviewed at the league AGM with the aspiration that the first division should have 11 teams. This should take into account the impact on other divisions.

1.3 Promotion & relegation
From season to season, promotion and relegation shall operate on a two-up, two-down basis across all divisions. Each team that wins promotion must take their place in the higher division next season, with the exception of the team placed second in the second division, who may decline promotion provided that the next-to-bottom team in the first division agrees not to be relegated. Should this option be exercised, only one team shall be demoted from the first division. Other adjustments may also be made by the Management Committee from time to time as teams enter or withdraw from the League.

1.4 New teams
New teams shall start in one of the lowest two divisions.

2 Arrangements for the playing season

2.1 Season
The season will commence with the distribution of Fixture Lists in accordance with rule 2.5. All matches, other than additional matches [see rule 12], should be completed by 14th May, unless permission has been obtained from the Fixtures Secretary to play the game at a later date.

2.2 Entries
Team applications must be submitted by 14 September. League entry fees must be submitted concurrent with the Team Entry Application in order for teams to be included in the Fixtures List. Clubs must also pay any non-ECF members game fee incurred within 14 days of being invoiced by the League. Payment shall be by cheque unless a BACS transfer is arranged in advance with the Treasurer.

2.3 Venues
Unless otherwise agreed at the AGM, half of each team's matches shall be played at home, and the other half away. If a club does not wish to travel for an away match, it may ask for the match to be played at a "half-way- house" venue and it shall then be responsible for all arrangements and costs.

2.4 Fixtures
Each team shall play one match against every other team in its division. If a club has two or more teams in the same division, then these teams must play the match or matches between them before playing any other matches.

2.5 Fixture lists
The Fixtures Secretary shall circulate to all teams by 28th September the Fixtures List for the season with the initial matches set for mid October. This will take into account up to 15 dates a team does not wish to play on as specified in the Team Application Form.

2.6 Fixture changes
Upon receipt of the fixture lists, clubs should check their viability. Changes may be made (including mutually agreed weekend arrangements):

• by mutual agreement concluded up to 14 days after the date of issue of the fixture lists for matches scheduled to be played in October or November; or
• by mutual agreement concluded 28 days prior to the originally scheduled date for matches scheduled to be played in December or later; or
• under exceptional circumstances.

All fixture changes, and any resulting disputes, must be notified by both clubs within 7 days to the Fixtures Secretary. Failure to do so will incur 4 default points (see 6.1). The Management Committee shall consider the circumstances and may default any team found to have changed or withdrawn from a fixture otherwise than in accordance with this rule.

3 Eligibility of players

3.1 Eligibility for a team
To be eligible to play in a team, a player must comply with at least 2 of the following criteria:

1. Payment of a current season annual subscription to the club
2. Having their main residence or place of work /education within the County of Sussex (East or West)
3. Having their main residence within 20 miles outside of the East / West Sussex county boundary
4. Having played at least one full season in an internal club competition in the previous few years; i.e. played and completed the full schedule
5. Having played at least 40% of matches for the club in two previous MSL seasons in the previous five years
6. Birth in Sussex

A new team member will be deemed ineligible unless the club has furnished to the Tournament Controller proof of which two rules they qualify under before or concurrent with the submission of the match result [rule 10.2]

If it is not the club's first team, restrictions concerning nominated players also apply [rule 4].

3.2 Eligibility after changing clubs
A player may change clubs within the league once during the season provided that he/she has played fewer than five matches for his/her original club.

3.3 Monitoring eligibility
3.3.1 The eligibility of a player for a particular team appearance may be formally questioned by the opposing team captain to the Tournament Controller, who will investigate that eligibility, together with the Management Committee, and will communicate their decision to all affected parties.
3.3.2 Eligibility may also be questioned by the Tournament Controller or Fixtures Secretary, who shall act as above.
3.3.3 The Tournament Controller shall continually monitor the eligibility of all players. If any player plays for two clubs in any season, the Tournament Controller shall inform both clubs of this occurrence within 21 days of his receipt of the relevant match card.

3.4 Penalties for ineligible players

3.4.1 If a team plays an ineligible player, then it is deemed to have defaulted on the board.
3.4.2 If an ineligible player plays on any board except the lowest, his/her playing will have caused players lower in the team order to have played one board lower then they ought. A penalty shall therefore be deducted and added to the opposing team's score. Penalties are calculated on the basis of the total score obtained by the team on boards below the ineligible player, as follows:

Total score on lower boards 0 or ½ Penalty Nil
Total score on lower boards 1, 1½ or 2 Penalty ½
Total score on lower boards 2½ or 3 Penalty 1

(E.g. A team loses on boards 1 and 2, wins on board 3, and draws on board 4, but plays an ineligible player on board 2. The total score on boards below the ineligible player is 1½, so the match score is adjusted by ½ penalty point, and the original 1½ - 2½ score becomes a 2 - 2 draw.)

3.4.3 If a team plays more than one ineligible player, then a separate penalty as above will be assessed in respect of each such player.

4 Nominated players

4.1 Declaring nominations
Each club entering more than one team shall, at the beginning of the season, and before playing any matches, submit a list of nominated players to the Fixtures Secretary. The Fixtures Secretary shall compile a list of all nominated players and arrange for this to be posted on the league's website.
4.1.1 Each club entering two teams must nominate a minimum of its 3 strongest players for its 1st team.
4.1.2 Each club entering three or more teams must also nominate a minimum of its next 3 strongest players for its 2nd team. If entering four or more teams the club must also nominate a minimum of its next 3 strongest players for its 3rd team, and so on.
4.1.3 For the purpose of declaring nominations the strongest players are determined by their playing strength as defined in 5.2

4.2 Restrictions on nominated players
4.2.1 A nominated player may not play for a team lower than the one for which he/she has been nominated.
4.2.2 Whether nominated or not, a player from a lower team may appear on a match score card 3 times for higher teams while retaining eligibility to play for the lower team. Upon appearing on a match score card a 4th time for any higher team the player becomes ineligible to play for the lower team.

4.3 New players
If a club acquires a new member during the season, then the club must advise the Tournament Controller of that player's details in accordance with rule 3.1 within 7 days of his/her first appearance for one of its teams. These details should be sufficient to establish with certainty whether the player is known to the grading system, and should preferably comprise complete name (surname, forename, other initials), sex, date of birth and ECF player code. If the player would have been nominated for a team had he/she been available at the start of the season, then such a player may not play for a lower team. The Fixtures Secretary shall amend the nominations for that club appropriately. If the Tournament Controller considers that this rule has been clearly disregarded, he/she may treat such a player as ineligible, and apply the provisions of rule 3.4.

4.4 Infrequent players
If a club elects not to nominate a player who is available only infrequently, then such a player may not play for a team lower than that for which he/she would normally have been nominated. If the Tournament Controller considers that this rule has been clearly disregarded, he/she may treat such a player as ineligible, and apply the provisions of rule 3.4. 4.5 Nominated players in play-off matches The only eligibility requirement for a play-off match is that a player must have played two or more times for the team in that season.

5 Teams

5.1 Team size
Four-board matches shall be played in all divisions.

5.2 Team order
5.2.1 In each match, a team must play in descending order of playing strength.
The ratings used are the Official Revised Monthly Rating as published on the day of the match by the ECF.
A and K rated players must play in order of decreasing rating, subject to an allowable difference of 100 rating points.
P rated players must be treated the same as unrated players and played in the order of their estimated playing strength.
An exception to this rule is if a team substitutes, after the start of the match, a late player with a reserve.
If requested to do so by the opposing captain, the team captain will be required to justify their team order to the satisfaction of the Tournament Controller.
5.2.2 Penalties
It is recognised that players ratings can change daily, and that mistakes do happen. For the first and non-deliberate breach of Rule 5.2.1 by a team the penalty shall be a warning, wilful or further breaches will result in the player out of order, as determined by the Tournament Controller, being treated as an ineligible player see Rule 3.4 for penalties.
5.2.3 Rule 5.2.1 breaches
The opposing captain, the Fixtures Secretary, Tournament Controller or other member of the committee are allowed to raise discrepancies in team selection. No other parties are permitted to raise this as an issue.
5.2.4 Best practice guidelines
Team captains should write down the ratings of team members on the team sheet in advance of the fixture.

5.3 Incomplete teams
If a team is unable to raise a full complement of players for a match, it must default on the bottom board or boards. A team that attends a fixture with insufficient players to win it will be deemed to have defaulted the match, and the conditions of rule 6.2 apply.

6 Defaults

6.1 Penalties for defaults
For a team defaulting boards in any match, "default penalty points" (dpts) shall be levied as follows: 4dpts – board 1; 3dpts – board 2; ... 1dpt – board 4. For each 6 default penalty points accumulated in a season, one match point shall be deducted.

6.2 Seriously defaulting teams
A team that postpones or rearranges a match other than in accordance with Rule 2.6 or has insufficient players to win a match by the deadline established under 8.5 will be deemed to have defaulted it. In this circumstance the following procedure shall apply.
6.2.1 The team shall have two match points deducted from its total.
6.2.2 The match shall be replayed at a date convenient to the team defaulted against. The team defaulted against may also include any player who would have been eligible on the previously scheduled date. In the event of disagreement a date for replaying the match shall be set by the Tournament Controller.
6.2.3 If the defaulting team does not replay the match it shall automatically be relegated and all its match results declared void. (Games played by the defaulting team shall be graded as normal.)

7 Timings

7.1 Playing session
Unless otherwise agreed in reasonable advance of the night of the match to be longer, the playing session shall be of duration of exactly 3 hours and 10 minutes.

7.2 Clocks
Digital clocks that permit the use of an increment must be used in all games and are expected to be provided by the club hosting the match. The time controls specified below apply to all games in all matches in all divisions.

7.3 Time controls
Subject to 7.1, all moves in 65 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move from move 1.
The Home team captain shall announce the time the match will start and the time (or, in accordance with another suitable means of timing, how) the session will end. It shall be made clear which single clock or device determines the end of the session.
If, following the end of the session, the players cannot agree a result the game shall be adjudicated [rule 9].
For guidance if considering a longer session clubs should be aware that games could last up to a maximum total time (but only if both players use all their allocation) as shown:

Minutes	Seconds	Move	Max Time
65	30	60	03:10:00
65	30	70	03:20:00
65	30	80	03:30:00
65	30	90	03:40:00
65	30	100	03:50:00

7.4 Scoring
An accurate scoresheet must be maintained throughout the game.

8 The playing session

8.1 Laws of chess
The FIDE laws apply in general and the Management Committee will utilise the version produced by the Chess Arbiters Association for interpretation of the various aspects of these laws in the context of the League, except as set out in 8.1.1
8.1.1 Mobile phones, other communication devices, tablets and similar equipment are allowed in the playing area. However they must be either switched off or switched to silent mode for the duration of the match. Home team captains must remind players of this requirement. If a player's equipment makes any sound during his game, then: On the first occurrence he will receive a warning. For a second offence by the same player in the same game, the penalty is loss of the game.

8.2 Before play begins
The away team will have the White pieces on the odd numbered boards and Black on the even. Immediately before a match, team captains shall: (1) exchange names of team players; (2) agree and announce to all participants: (a) the time control, (b) the agreed finishing time, (c) any arrangements for interruptions that could involve stopping clocks, and (d) the content of rule 8.1.1

8.3 Start of play
8.3.1 The home team should be ready to play by 7.30pm. An away team whose members are all present shall be entitled to insist that the match commences at or after 7.30pm, even if the home team is incomplete, with any member of the home club and start the clocks thereafter.
8.3.2 The away team should be ready to play by 7.45pm. The home team shall be entitled to insist that the match commences at or after 7.45pm.

8.4 Missing clocks
If no clocks are available at 7.30pm, then time may be deducted from the home team's clocks. e.g. if clocks are not ready for 10 minutes after the away team were ready to start the match, then the home teams will have their available time reduced by 10 minutes.

8.5 Late players
If a player is not present by 8.30pm, or after 45 minutes after the start of his clock, whichever is the later, and his team captain has no reserve available to take his place, then the game is lost by default.

8.6 Refreshments
The home team is normally expected to provide refreshments.

8.7 Mutually agreed changes to playing session.
If two teams agree to play at a time other than an evening, e.g. at a weekend, the match must be played in accordance with Rule 7 except that, upon the agreement of both captains, the session may be of unlimited duration.

9 Adjudication

9.1 Submitting games for adjudication
Team captains should make reasonable efforts in the eight days following a match to agree the results of any unfinished games. If agreement on any such game cannot be reached, then each club must submit the position and their claim to the Adjudication Secretary. Detailed procedures for submitting an adjudication claim are here: https://sites.google.com/site/sussexcca/adjudications

9.2 Notification of adjudicated results
The Adjudications Secretary will report adjudication results to both of the team captains involved.

9.3 Appeals against adjudicated results
If a club wishes to appeal against the result of an adjudication, then the team captain must, within 10 days of receipt of the notification of adjudication, notify the Adjudications Secretary and the opposing captain of his club's intention to appeal, and submit forthwith to the Adjudications Secretary.

10 Notification of results

10.1 Completion of results record
It is the home team captain's responsibility to arrange for the completion of an official result card or record [including full initials of all players, the start time, and the length of the playing session] before the match, signature by both captains after the match conclusion and its retention until completion of the season at the AGM. If there are undecided games the submission of the result may be pended and, in accordance with rule 9.1, any games subsequently sent for adjudication then marked with an 'A'.

10.2 Result submission
The home team captain must arrange for the final result to be submitted via the ECF League Management System (LMS) as soon as possible, but in any case within ten days where rule 9.1 applies. In case of query, the Tournament Controller may request to see the signed record and if not available, make a determination of the match result.

11 League positions

11.1 Scoring system
League positions are determined as follows:
11.1.1 For each game in a match, a win shall count as 1 point and a draw as ½ a point.
11.1.2 The winning team will be that team which scores most game points, and thereby gains 2 match points. If game points are equal, each team will score 1 match point.
11.1.3 League positions are determined by match point score. If two or more teams are level on match points, they shall be placed in order according to the total number of game points they have scored in the division.

11.2 Withdrawal of teams
If a team withdraws during the course of a season all results involving that team are scratched.

12 Additional matches

12.1 Play-off matches for first place
If two or more teams tie for top place in any division, there shall be a play-off if any team involved wishes it. The teams may, however, agree to share the trophy.

12.2 Play-off matches for other places
If two or more teams tie for a promotion or relegation place, there shall be a play-off to resolve the issue. If the two teams have already met in the competition that season then the venue shall be reversed for the play-off.

12.3 Determination of the result in a play-off match
In the event of a drawn play-off match, if all games are drawn the match will be replayed at the away team's venue, otherwise the result will be determined by board-count, and if the board-count is equal, then by board-elimination.
12.3.1 Board-count Each team totals the board numbers on which it has won and the team with the lower score wins the match.
12.3.2 Board-elimination The result on the bottom board is eliminated and if the match is still drawn then the next board is eliminated and so on until one team is winning on the remaining boards.

12.4 Champions v The Rest
At the start of each season, there shall be a match between the League Champions and a "Rest" side selected by the Secretary from all other clubs.

13 Trophies & trophies

13.1 Trophies
The following trophies shall be presented at the AGM and held for one year:
13.1.1 Mowatt Cup – League Champions [Division 1 winners]
13.1.2 Gregory Cup – Division 2 winners
13.1.3 Division 3 Cup [older] – Division 3 winners
13.1.4 Division 4 Cup [newer] – Division 4 winners

13.2 Tankards
The following tankards shall be presented at the AGM and held for one year:
13.2.1 Best Match Average Tankard – The individual who, during the season, has the best percentage in all League matches [excluding additional matches], having played in at least eight such matches. Any games played between eligible and ineligible players are treated as defaults for the purposes of Best Match Average calculation. If two or more players have equal best percentages the following tiebreaks apply:
i) most number of qualifying matches played, and if still equal then:
ii) highest number of wins, and if still equal then:
iii) the best individual winning game performance (opponent’s grade minus own grade); And if still equal the trophy shall be shared.
13.2.2 Tankards will also be awarded to the player with the Best Match Average in each Division. To qualify, a player must have played in at least three-quarters of any one of their team's matches in that Division but their performance will be calculated on all their games played in that Division. If two or more players have equal best percentages the tiebreaks as per 13.2.1 shall apply.

14 Meetings

14.1 Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the League will be held in June each year. The Secretary shall circulate the AGM agenda to clubs at least 14 days before the date of the meeting in order that clubs have time to consider proposed rule changes. The business of the meeting shall include reports from league officers, submission of annual accounts and election of officers for the forthcoming season, and may include proposals for rule changes and consideration of other matters of concern to the league.

14.2 Extraordinary General Meeting
An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called at any time by the Chairman or Secretary, or at the written request of six member clubs.

14.3 Voting at meetings
A club may be represented at any general meeting by one member for each team it had in the league in the current season. A proxy is allowed such that one attendee may represent up to two teams from the same club. All matters to be determined shall be decided by a simple majority of teams represented.

15 Officers

15.1 Election of officers
The following league officers shall be elected at the AGM: Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Fixtures Secretary, Tournament Controller, Knock-Out Tournament Controller and Auditor. With the exception of the Auditor the officers will comprise the Management Committee.

15.2 Treasurer
The Treasurer shall present the accounts and balance sheet to the auditor by 30th April.

16 Interpretation and amendment of rules

16.1 Interpretation of the rules
Any matter not covered by these rules shall be determined by a majority decision of the Management Committee, subject to the right of any involved club to appeal to the AGM or an EGM under rule 14.2.

16.2 Amendment of the rules
These rules may be amended only by the AGM or by an Extraordinary General Meeting called for that purpose. If a rule change proposal has been rejected at an AGM, a substantially similar proposalmay not be raised in the following year unless permission has been sought in advance and approved by leave of the Management Committee.

KO Rules 2026-7

Download KO Rules in PDF Format
Knock-Out Competition Rules Operative from September 2026

1. Entry shall be open to one or more teams of four players from each club in the League. Teams wishing to enter shall inform the Tournament Controller (TC) of their intention to do so not later than 14th September. It is a condition of entry that each team nominates a team captain, and submits his/her contact details.

2. The TC shall be appointed by the league. The TC shall be responsible for maintaining the competition as both a smooth-running and an amicable event, and he/she shall be accorded reasonable discretion in the interpretation of these rules to further these ends.

3. The TC shall draw up a pairing tree for the entire competition. Random means shall be used to allocate teams to their initial positions in the tree. Apart from matches postponed from agreed dates by severe weather, any preliminary round matches must be played by 30th October, quarter finals by 15th December, semi-finals by 28th February and the final by 30th April. The pairing tree, the schedule for the completion of the rounds, and a list of the contact details for all team captains shall be sent to all clubs by 1st October.

4. If it is the first match for both teams then the team placed higher in the pairing tree shall play at home. Thereafter the venue shall be determined in order that teams play alternately home and away and to avoid where possible the difference between home and away games for either team being two or higher. Where teams have equal past patterns the team that appears higher in the pairing tree shall alternate.

5. Captains should strive to keep themselves informed of the outcome of matches in collateral branches of the pairing tree, and to make arrangements for the following round at the earliest opportunity. Nevertheless, the TC shall contact captains of victorious teams to inform them of their next opponents. It is then the responsibility of the captain of the home team to contact the captain of the away team within 7 days, and offer at least two dates on which the match can be played within the schedule.

6. Once a player has played in this competition, that player may not subsequently play for another team in this competition in the same season.

7. For the purposes of this competition a player's rating shall be their official ECF standardplay rating from the current month’s rating list.
Captains shall ensure they use the up-to-date list available on the ECF website for all matches. If a player's only rating is a rapidplay rating this shall be used. No player shall appear who does not have a current ECF rating or an estimated rating as determined in advance by the TC (any player who does will be deemed ineligible). The club shall provide to the TC all relevant information concerning an unrated player's strength. This must include, but shall not be limited to, all or any available of the following:

a. previous ECF rating(s) / grade(s) with date(s);
b. current or previous FIDE rating(s) with date(s);
c. current or previous national rating(s) with date(s);
d. recent tournament and league appearances with date(s). In estimating a rating the TC may take into consideration any other relevant information not provided.

8. Each team shall total the ratings of the players actually playing in a match, excluding any player winning or losing by default.

9.
The match shall be handicapped according to the following table:

Difference in Total Rating	To Win, higher-rated team must score
0 - 179	No handicap and a 2 - 2 draw resolved first by board count and second by board elimination
180 - 559	The higher rated team must score 2.5 to win and a 2 - 2 result shall count as a win for the lower rated team
560 - 999	The higher rated team must score 3 to win
1000+	The higher rated team must score 3.5 to win

10. If the difference between the total ratings of the teams is less than 180, a level match shall be played, with a 2 - 2 draw being resolved by board count, and, if the board count is equal, by board elimination.

Board count:
Each team totals the numbers on the boards which it won, and the team with the lower count wins the match. E.g. Team A wins on boards 1 and 4; team B wins on boards 3 and 5; board 2 is drawn. A has a board count of 1 + 4 = 5; B has a board count of 3 + 5 = 8; A has the lower count and wins the match.

Board elimination:
The score on the bottom board is eliminated, and if the result is still a draw, board 3 is eliminated and then board 2.

In the event of all games in the match being drawn, the match will be won by the team with the lowest average ECF rating.

11. The rate of play shall be all moves in 80 minutes with a 10 second increment per move from move 1. No scoring is required by a player once less than five minutes has appeared on that player's clock.

12. All relevant rules of the League apply to this competition, except the following:
a. Read Tournament Controller instead of Fixtures Secretary.
b. Section 6 (Defaults) shall not apply. A defaulting team, whether Home or Away, is eliminated from the competition.
c. If a League player's club does not enter a team they may play for another club's KO team irrespective of League rule 3.2.

13. Results (including the computation of handicaps) shall be submitted by the captain of the winning team via the ECF League Management System (LMS) within 2 days of completing the match.

Rapid League Rules 2025-6

The Rules of the MSCL standardplay league shall apply except as modified by the following.
Each team shall comprise 4 players.
There shall be no grading restriction but clubs should endeavour always to field a team of less experienced and or lower graded players and in which board 1 is not normally in excess of 1750 strength. Juniors who have appeared in MSCL standardplay Division 2 or above are not expected to be regular team members.
The start time shall be 7:30 pm prompt.
The time control is 40 minutes for all moves plus 10 seconds increment per move from move one. Recording of moves is encouraged but is not mandatory.
Colours shall be decided on the night by coin toss.
Results will be submitted for grading in accordance with ECF rapidplay rules.
There are no restrictions on age but the emphasis is on juniors. Clubs are not expected to enter a team if they have insufficient juniors to field an all-junior team (or teams) and clubs should aim to field an all-junior team for each fixture. Allowing for circumstances in which that might not be possible, over the season as a whole juniors ideally should represent the club on at least 75% of boards. When an adult must play to complete the team, that adult should be a lower graded member of the club.
Players may play for one club in the Rapidplay League and for another club or clubs in the standardplay league or knock-out competition. This is intended to give access to the Rapidplay League for qualified players where their primary club may not be entering a team. Similarly, two or more clubs may submit a joint team in the Rapidplay League when individually they have insufficient players to enter their own team. In the latter case jointly participating clubs shall determine which club or clubs is/are the host venue for each designated Home fixture and shall provide the Fixtures Secretary no later than three weeks before the first scheduled fixture with a list of which club will host each Home fixture of the joint team.
Clubs should consider if possible offering their venue to host mid-way matches.

Sussex County Chess Association [SCCA]
Adjudication procedure

Download Adjudication form in Word Format or Editable PDF

SCCU Link

1. Any position submitted for adjudication must reach the Adjudication Secretary within 10 days of the playing of the match. If the position is received after the 10 days then the player's claim will be disallowed.

2. e-mail or First class post must be used in all communication.

If using post, the position will not be accepted as accurate and complete in any of the following circumstances;
there is no cheque or it is incorrectly completed
there is an error or omission in the claim or the position.

If using email and your claim is not successful, you undertake to pay the fee within 7 days of the decision. Failure to do so will result in the deduction of one match point from the team.

3. The fees, which are returnable if the claim is upheld, are £5 per position submitted, and an additional £10 for appeals. Cheques to be payable to Sussex County Chess Association. Alternatively, banking details are available upon request, for Bacs payment if preferred. Please, leave identification with payment to enable determination of payee e.g. [Adjudication and club name].

4. Positions submitted must:
contain only the claim of the submitter and not that of the opponent;
follow the normal conventions, e.g. White at the bottom and Black at the top of the diagram.
where relevant, indicate whether castling is possible or an 'en passant' capture can be played.

5. An appeal procedure is available where the adjudicator gives a decision different to that claimed by the player. Under this procedure the player has the right to appeal the decision. To do so, the player or the club's Match Captain must:
lodge the appeal with the Adjudications Secretary within 10 days of the date of receipt of the disputed decision;
submit three copies of the detailed analysis to support the appeal; and
provide within the same 10 days one copy of the appeal analysis to the opposing team's Match Captain

NEW
email may be used for appeals [within 10 days of the receipt of the disputed decision].
only one copy of the detailed analysis need be to send to the secretary.
one copy to the opposing team's Match Captain
and an undertaking to pay the £10 fee if the appeal is unsuccessful

Within 7 days of receipt of the appeal analysis the Match Captain of the appellant's opposing team is either to:
submit three copies [ or one copy if by email] of any comments/analysis thereon to the Adjudication Secretary; or
inform the Adjudications Secretary that no comments/analysis will be submitted
Adjudication Secretary
Paul Batchelor 98 Mackie Avenue, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 8RD
Email adjudications@sussexchess.org.uk

Paul Watson Trophy Rules 2024-5

The Paul Watson Trophy is the permanent property of the Sussex County Chess Association (SCCA) and is competed for annually among clubs in Sussex. The winning team shall hold the Cup for one year.
An entrance fee shall be paid by each competing team, comprising an amount determined by the SCCA (for 2024-25, the fee is £6).
Entries shall be sent to the Tournament Controller not later than 25th October.
The competition shall be played as a Knock-Out, unless there are 3 teams entered, in which case an all-play-all will apply. In general, the draw for each round will be made randomly by the Tournament Controller (TC), unless there are sufficient entries to introduce geographically split pairings (West and East zones).
Teams shall be of four players. Clubs may enter multiple teams, but players may only play for one team in any given season. Players should be bona fide club members (in the event of doubt over eligibility, clubs should refer in advance of the match to the TC for a ruling). ECF membership is not compulsory for players, however, any game fees arising from non-member players will be re-charged to clubs.
The average ECF rating of each team, rounded to the nearest whole number, shall be no more than 1825, using the September 2024 list for fixtures before 31st Jan and for fixtures after 31st Jan, the January 2025 list. Players that have a lower rating using the current monthly list as at the date of the fixture may be rated using that list. Unrated players will be treated as graded 1750, or their most recent ECF rating, if applicable.
Teams shall play in order of strength, having regard to the latest ECF rating List
The TC will determine the time-scales allowed for each round, with the aim of the final being played on or before 31st May in each year.
Team captains shall make arrangements for holding matches, within the time-scales determined by the TC. The home team captain shall within 10 days of receipt of the pairing, offer three dates, at least 14 days away and avoiding clashes with away club fixtures. One of these must be accepted by the away team captain within 7 days, otherwise the Tournament Controller shall have the right to default the offending team, subject to appeal to the SCCA committee. Failure to play on the agreed date shall likewise result in default, save in exceptional circumstances.
Matches are assumed to be mid-week, but may be played at weekends by mutual agreement
Board colours for each match are to be determined by toss of a coin.
Time controls: a. The rate of play shall be all moves in 80 minutes with a 10 second increment per move from move 1. b. Where suitable digital clocks are not available, or with the agreement of both players, a time control of 30 moves in 60 mins, followed by a quick-play finish of 30 mins for each player may be used.
In the event of a tied match, the result shall be determined by: a. Board count b. Board elimination from the bottom board upwards c. The team with black on odds shall be the winner
The interpretation of these rules and the conduct of the competition including the resolution of any disputes shall be at the discretion of the TC, with any appeal of the TC’s decisions to be considered by the SCCA committee.

McArthur Cup Rules 2024-5

The McArthur Cup is the permanent property of the Sussex County Chess Association (SCCA) and is competed for annually among clubs in Sussex. The winning team shall hold the Cup for one year.
An entrance fee shall be paid by each competing team, comprising an amount determined by the SCCA (for 2024-25, the fee is £8).
Entries shall be sent to the Tournament Controller not later than 25th October.
The competition shall be played as a Knock-Out, unless there are 3 teams entered, in which case an all-play-all will apply. In general, the draw for each round will be made randomly by the Tournament Controller (TC), unless there are sufficient entries to introduce geographically split pairings (West and East zones).
Teams shall be of six players. Clubs may enter multiple teams, but players may only play for one team in any given season. Players should be bona fide club members (in the event of doubt over eligibility, clubs should refer in advance of the match to the TC for a ruling). ECF membership is not compulsory for players, however, any game fees arising from non-member players will be re-charged to clubs.
Teams shall play in order of strength, having regard to the latest ECF rating list.
The TC will determine the time-scales allowed for each round, with the aim of the final being played on or before 31st May in each year.
Team captains shall make arrangements for holding matches, within the time-scales determined by the TC. The home team captain shall within 10 days of receipt of the pairing, offer three dates, at least 14 days away and avoiding clashes with away club fixtures. One of these must be accepted by the away team captain within 7 days, otherwise the Tournament Controller shall have the right to default the offending team, subject to appeal to the SCCA committee. Failure to play on the agreed date shall likewise result in default, save in exceptional circumstances.
Matches may be played either at week-ends, where the home venue is available, or mid-week.
Board colours for each match are to be determined by toss of a coin.
Time controls: a. For week-end matches (assuming a 4.5 hour session is available): i. The default time control is 40 moves in 90 minutes, then 20 mins for each player until the end of the game, with an increment of 10 seconds from move one. ii. Where suitable digital clocks are not available, or with the agreement of both players, a time control of 35 moves in 105 mins, followed by a quick-play finish of 30 mins for each player may be used. b. For mid-week matches (assuming a 3.5 hour session is available): i. The default time control is 40 moves in 90 minutes, with an increment of 10 seconds from move one. ii. Where suitable digital clocks are not available, or with the agreement of both players, a time control of 35 moves in 75 mins, followed by a quick-play finish of 30 mins for each player may be used. c. Alternatively, the Captains may by mutual agreement vary the time controls, provided that games remain eligible for Standard-Play grading. For example: i. Where a 3 hour session is only available for evening mid-week matches, a time control such as 30 moves in 60 mins, followed by 30 mins each quick play finish could be used, or 40 moves in 80 mins with a 10 sec increment from the start. ii. Where sufficient time is available for a week-end match, a 30 second increment could be used, such as 40 moves in 100 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, followed by the rest of the game in 50 minutes plus 30 seconds per move
In the event of a tied match, the result shall be determined by: a. Board count b. Board elimination from the bottom board upwards c. The team with black on odds shall be the winner
The interpretation of these rules and the conduct of the competition including the resolution of any disputes shall be at the discretion of the TC, with any appeal of the TC’s decisions to be considered by the SCCA committee.

SEASON 2026-27