Huddersfield & District Chess Association 

 

A. Clarification of the Procedure at the Start of Matches 

Captains shall simultaneously exchange team lists approximately five minutes before the scheduled starting time which shall be 7.30 pm, unless otherwise agreed. 

AFTER lists have been exchanged, the Captains shall THEN spin for colours. Winners shall have white on odd boards. 

Note that Board order must follow correct Rating sequence [highest rated player on board 1]. 

This is the only legal procedure at the start of matches. 

 

B. Example of Illegal Procedure 

A Captain attempts to toss up to decide colours before teams are exchanged. Then he changes his team order as it suits him, matching players to preferred colours and then exchanges team lists. This is obviously sharp practice, seeking to gain an advantage. This is not acceptable. 

 

C. Another Example of Illegal Procedure 

A Captain does not supply a Team list, but requests his opposing Captain's list so that he can write his team's names at the side of the other Captain's list. He can then change his board order as it suits his players. Another way of doing this is to call out his team orally on sight of the other team's list. 

This is obviously sharp practice, seeking to gain an advantage. Any procedure where one Captain has sight of the opposing team's list before divulging his own is illegal, and unacceptable. 

 

D. Penalty for Illegal Procedure 

Any alleged infringement shall be considered by the Executive Committee, who will take appropriate action - this could be forfeiture of the match [retrospectively]. 

 

E. Advice on Circumstances when the Board Order may be changed after the Exchange of Team Lists 

If, after the team lists exchange and toss up have been completed, [but before play has started] telephone contact with a player who has not yet arrived indicates a definite DEFAULT, OR a player has become ill, and is unable to play, Team lists may be drawn up again, including a substitute player if available. If no substitute is available the default board must be board 6. The original toss stands. 

If play has already started no changes may be made. [Defaults that are known before the Team exchange are easily dealt with, of course] 

Late Player  

If a player has not yet arrived, and there is a possibility that the player may not arrive before the 8pm cut off time, the Captains [only with the agreement of both captains] may change the board orders - board concerned with the next board above or below it, providing that the new Board orders follow correct Rating sequence. 

[This happened in a recent match - Team A board 3 was not feeling well, and was happy not to have a game, so Captains agreed for the boards to be switched. The late player did not turn up.] 

 

Geoff Peake 

League Secretary