Lancashire Clubs Rapid Play Competition – Sunday 1 September – ECF rated
Free entry – £200 in prizes
Venue and parking
The competition will take place at St Paul’s Working Men’s Club, 104 Montague Street, Blackburn, BB2 1EE. Free parking spaces are available at the venue but in very limited numbers. If that car park is full drive through it and you will reach the College car park through two bollards. The cost is £4 per day – card only. Alternatively there is 90 minutes free parking on ALDI car park and also limited all day free parking on the side road on the left of ALDI. The venue is 15 minutes walk from the rail station or taxis are available.
A massive thank you to Gordon Glover and the Crusaders Chess club for hosting this competition. In case of problems on the day Gordon can be contacted on 07707 516321 and the venue number is 01254 53325.
How it will work
We have space for 20 teams or 22 at a squeeze ie up to 88 players absolute maximum. We do not know how many teams clubs will wish to enter of course. I am expecting some to enter two and some only one but I will need to keep an eye on entries as I want to be sure that all clubs can enter a team. The form allows you to enter up to three teams but you need to note that we will not know until the deadline whether a third team (or even a second) can be fitted in. I recommend early entry and enter up to three teams in your priority order.
Each team shall comprise 4 members.
There will be four rapid play rounds with 30 minutes each using LCAs analogue clocks – so no time increments or time penalties.
The pairings for the championship will operate on an individual and not a team basis in one section using a standard Swiss system which Carl Tillotson will manage. If possible, he will try to avoid players from the same club playing against each other. Scores per game will be as normal. No byes. August original rapid play ratings will be used unless they are P ratings in which case standard play ratings will apply. Any that are unclear will be decided by Richard. In the case of team members who do not have an ECF rating screenshots of chess.com and/or lichess will be taken into account. All team members must be up to date members of the ECF and the games will be ECF rated. The schedule for the day will be as follows:
- Opening of competition – 10.00 am.
- Round 1 – 10.30
- Round 2 – 11.45
- Presentations – 1pm over lunch – defrosted pies are available at the bar but it is fine to bring your own sandwiches.
- President to report on potential teams based on entry form interest and call for possible team captains. Team captains will become LCA Committee members subject to approval by AGM.
- Colin Greenwood, LCA Junior Organiser (with support from Carl Tillotson) to report on junior chess
- Round 3 – 2.00 pm
- Round 4 – 3.15 pm
- Close and presentation of cash prizes – 4.30. Pack up and leave. Those who wish to stay on at the bar for a chat etc are of course welcome to do so.
How to enter
Please complete the attached entry form to enter the competition and also to indicate interest in playing for Lancashire in County Matches and send it to Richard Walsh richardsami@hotmail.co.uk Details of individuals will be used to communicate between them and the LCA on County matches and future LCA events. Those completing the forms will let individuals listed on it know that data will be used in this way and not shared with any third parties. Last date for entries – Tuesday 27 August. On Wednesday 28 August I will contact clubs to confirm teams which will be playing.
Prizes
There will be 7 prizes:
- The club championship chess board to be held for one year – highest score by any team in the championship.
- Open – 1650 and over winners – cash prizes for teams with an aggregate rating 6,600 or over:
- First – £50
- Second – £30
- Third – £20
- The 1649 and under winners – cash prizes for teams with an aggregate rating of 6,599 or under:
- First – £50
- Second – £30
- Third – £20
In the event of a significant difference between the numbers of teams in each prize winning group we may alter the aggregate grading limit in the interests of fairness. Prize money will be funded by the LCA.
Any questions contact Richard Walsh richardsami@hotmail.co.uk President Lancashire Chess Association.
Download Entry Form and Details: Lancashire Clubs Rapid Play Competition.v4