English Chess Forum

Dear County Match Controller,

A reminder that your Union's nominations for the national ECF stage of the Counties Championship are due on before midnight on Sunday 26 March 2023.

Nominations have been received from the MCCU and I note that some of the NCCU competitions conclude on 25th March

The 2022-23 rules have been published (copy attached). Please ensure that your participating county captains have a copy of these before they accept your nominations.


The main practical changes for this season relate to:
• prior provisional team submission in the LMS for all stages (not just the final)
• for the rating limited sections use of category K or A standard original (blue) ratings only for eligibility and board orders (otherwise National Controller's estimate)
• for partially rated (category P) and unrated players as at 1 Sep, using their first published K or A original monthly rating instead of 1 April list (mirroring MCCU, NCCU and SCCU practice) for eligibility so as not to disenfranchise players already playing for a team on this basis. These will supercede any estimated rating assigned by the National Controller
• in conducting the draw, first nominees to be assigned byes ahead of other nominees
• a tighter electronic devices rule (mirroring congress application)
• no single central venue this year but option to hold several regional finals together as a Finals Day Festival (as last year), which is now provided for as an option.
Please do remind your captain that any estimated ratings you may have applied for your qualifying competition do not apply to the ECF stage and in the absence of a K or A standard original rating they will need to approach me for a competition estimate for the ECF stage.

The draw is due on or before 8 April, though I hope that the draw committee will be able to meet shortly after the close of nominations.

Each Union is entitled to make 2 nominations (designated 1st or 2nd) for any section of the championships, whether or not a qualifying competition was held.

Finally your treasurers will be pleased to hear that there are no changes to the fees.

Regards,

Mark Murrell
ECF Controller, Counties Championships.

Andrew Wainwright wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 27, 2023 11:52 am

Really enjoyed the NCCU qualifying stages this year. Great to see teams returning and new teams entering. A really good level of competition in all sections, that can be built on further next season!

Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑

Sat May 20, 2023 1:27 pm

"I think the county championship dates are calculable years in advance from the rules to be fair."

No idea, I'll take your word for it! But it would make it easier for teams if dates were actually published before inviting entries. If I don't know that, then I assume most people who might decide to enter a team don't know it either. New organizers should be encouraged, not hindered.