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I am currently working on a method of collecting match information for County Championship and cup matches. I order to make this as simple as possible could admins please stick to the following convention when issuing challenges please. Championship: Start the match name with CC20 then include division and round numbers followed by team names. i.e. CC20 Dn Rn Team1 vs Team2 Cup: Start the match name with CC20 Cup then round number i.e. CC20 Cup Rn Team1 vs Team2. Round can be number or SF (for semi) or F (Final) Thanks for your help

The Commonwealth is a brand new team, set up by a few of us from Team UK. We aim to be a seriously competitive worldwide team, and would like you to join us. If your account is 3 months old, have a timeout ratio of less than 10%, and have played at least 25 daily games, apply to the team now, and we'll be happy to accept you. Hope to see you there, Alex

This forum will highlight players who have or are about to play for more than one team. The first team they play for is their nominated team for the season. Any points they score for any other team will be defaulted and reversed. If it is unclear which team is their first team eg both matches are in the same round all points will be defaulted.

This Forum will be used for all matters concerning Division 1 in 2019. The teams competing in Division 1 are as follows... Devon Dorset Leinster Renfrewshire Rooks Somerset Wyvern Staffordshire Sussex Yorkshire

This forum is for all matters relating to division 2 for 2019. The following teams will compete in Division 2 in 2019. Birmingham Essex Gloucestershire Lancashire L&L Hampshire London Knights  Norfolk Knights Northern Knights

This forum is for all matters relating to division 3 for 2019. The following teams will compete in Division 3 in 2019. Cheshire Connacht East Midlands Kent Checkmates Marches  Munster Suffolk Worcestershire

Hi all, We now have 28 teams confirmed for 2020. Originally I had planned for 4 divisions of 7 teams but I think it is worth discussing other options. My ideas are: 1) The 4 divisions of 7 teams, with division 1 being the strongest and division 4 the weakest containing the new teams joining (Channel Islands, Ulster, Cambs, Surrey, Bucks) and the lowest scoring teams in the current division 3. 2) 4 divisions of 7 again but with 2 parallel division 3 groups. Divisions 3a and 3b will contain the new teams and the current lowest positioned teams - with the aim of making them of equal strength. 1 team from each will be promoted to division 2 as long as the number of teams in the Championship remains the same. 3) Divisions 1 and 2 containing 9 teams and a division 3 containing 10 teams. The league will have to start in December and one month will have to have two matches so the final matches can start in July. Any other suggestions are welcome, please let me know your thoughts. Thanks Matt

Hi all, Registration for the 2020 season will start in September. There is a real possibility we will have 28+ teams next year- which will mean going to 4 divisions. If this happens then... I still intend to promote at least 2 teams per division but it may mean 3 teams could be relegated in some divisions. There has been some discussion about minimum number of players per match. It is great to have 20+ board matches but some teams really struggle to get the minimums so I want to keep Division One - minimum 6 but aim for much more. Division Two and Three - minimum 4 - but division 2 should be aiming for 6+ Division Four- I want to start with a minimum of 3 for the new season so matches can start without delays. - That's if we get a division 4! I have updated the dates in the rules (see below) but everything else remains the same as 2019. If you have any suggestions please comment and changes can be made if there is support. The rules for the 2020 Season

 
 1a. All teams must represent a county, a region, a city or a town in the UK and Ireland. Players can choose to represent any team of their choice but all teams should make every effort to only field players who have a connection (eg live/lived in that area, worked in that area or have relations/ancestors from that area) in all matches. 1b. Players can be members of two or more county groups, but a player cannot play for more than one team in the county championship league and cup competitions in a single season, even if they are in different divisions. It is the responsibility of the team admins to make sure that their members are aware of this rule and to report when it is broken. Once a player has played for one team that is his/her team for the rest of the season and any results gained for any other team will be forfeited if the controller of the division is made aware. If it is unclear who the first team the player played for eg they play for two teams in the same month, then all their results will be forfeited. 
 2a. The league will be divided into 3 divisions, divisions 1, 2 and 3, unless the number of teams reaches 31, in which case a new division 4 will be created. Teams will be allocated to divisions using their finishing places in the 2019 season. All new teams will start in the lowest division. It is the aim that three teams will be promoted and relegated from each division at the end of the season. 
 But this may change if new teams join or teams leave the competition. 2b. There is now an under 1600 competition which will run from August onwards to fill the gap between seasons in the main competition. Teams can choose or choose not to sign up for this competition separately each year. This competition is separate to the main league and cup. A player can’t play for two different teams in this competition but may play for a different team in the main league and cup. All other rules for 2020 will apply to this competition. 3a .There will be a knock out cup competition in 2020. Teams need to inform the controller if they don’t wish to take part. Each match will start as soon as possible. Once a team has an unassailable lead the result can be declared. Please report results promptly. 3b. If a match is drawn, the result of the last board will be eliminated, and so on until their is a winner.
If board elimination still doesn't provide a winner (i.e. all games end 1-1) then the team with the most time outs in the match will lose. Finally if the teams still can't be separated then a team will be chosen at random to progress to the next round as a replay would hold up the rest of the competition. The only exception to all the above is...If a draw occurs in the final round of the cup, both teams share the title of Cup Champions. The controller will be responsible for organising the fixtures and compiling the results. In the first instance, any issues or disagreements should be discussed on the county council forum for all to see in an open manner, rather than contacting the controller directly. The controller’s decision after discussion is final. If an issue affects the controller’s team then the matter will be need to be decided by impartial members of the council. Ideally, each division will have its own controller who doesn’t have a team in that division. 
5. The deadline for new teams entering the league competition will be the 30th November 2019. Any new teams entering the competition will compete in lowest division. The deadline for entering the 2019 cup will be October 31st 2019. The aim is to start the cup in November 2019. At this point the 2020 season will start and once a player plays in any league or cup match from this point that is their declared team. 
6a. The minimum number of players for division 1 matches will set to 6. The minimum number of players for division 2 will be 4 and 3 players for division 3. Teams who qualify for division 1 can elect to play in division 2 if they don’t think they can field 6 players consistently. 
There will be one match per month, the fixtures will be published in December 2019. Challenges should be sent at least 2 weeks before the match is due to start and the matches should be locked by the final day of the month. Either team can send the challenge. All matches should have a start time (eg the final Saturday of the month) included, so the match will start automatically on that date. If a team does not have enough players on the day the match is due to start then they will be given one extra week to find the extra players. After this week is up the opposing team can choose to claim the match by default. 6b. Everyone in a county group should have the opportunity to play in matches. No player should be removed from a match once they have registered, unless they have a timeout percentage higher than 25%. If a player is removed for this reason it should be noted in the notes below the match details. If a team is found to be removing players unnecessarily or to gain an advantage they will forfeit the match. Matches should be set to 2 concurrent games at, ie play your opponent with white and black at the same time, this speeds up the completion of matches and bring it into line with the international group competition. The aim will be that all matches will be completed by 30thNovember 2020, in order to start a new competition in 2021. If matches are still in progress on November 30th, then the controller will review the remaining matches and predict the likely result based on the position. If the matches involve the controller’s team or will affect the league position of the controller’s team then another member of the council will be asked to judge. 
 9.The time limit will remain 3 days per move.
 2 points will be scored for a win, 1 for a draw. If teams have an equal number of points at the end of the season, then the following in order will be taken into account to determine finishing places: a) The match result(s) between tied teams, if a team has beaten all those teams they have tied with, they will finish above them in the league. b) The total number of games won minus the total number of games lost in the season, by each team. The team with the highest score will take the top position. c) The total number of timeouts in a season, the time with the least will finish top if points a and b can't separate the teams. Any game with a red 0 counts as a timeout. If a player is found to be cheating by chess.com, then they will forfeit all their games for the season and results will be reversed where necessary. All reports of cheating or suspected cheating should be sent to chess.com. 
13. Results will be declared once a team has unassailable lead, but these results can be overturned if a player is found to be cheating. However, once the last result of the season in each division is declared no other results in that division can be overturned, even if a player is found to be cheating after this date. In the cup competition results can't be overturned once a team has been progressed to the next round. 14a. All players and teams should play in a sporting manner and make the championship should promote friendship and encourage others to join. 14b. If a player representing a team in the championships does not follow the principles above (eg they are rude to another player or make public unfounded accusations of cheating) the team concerned will receive a warning and any further infringements will result the team in question being asked to remove the said player from their team or leave the championship.

Hi all After some interest in the idea. I would like to start an under 1600 league for players with ratings below 1600. This will be an additional league and there is no expectation that teams have to join. It is just to give the lower rated members more chance of taking part in matches. I would like to start the league in September so it doesn't run parallel to the main league. So the deadline for registration will be August 31st. The first match to start by September 30th. Registration for the main league will start in September ready for a January start. The cup may start earlier depending on numbers. Please comment below to sign a team up for the under 1600 league. Thanks Matt

So with @Matt1979 permission I'm posting to you all to let you know of a vote chess tournament that I'm hosting called The Valentines Cup. https://www.chess.com/club/valentines-cup-for-the-love-of-vote-chess The maximum amount of games you will play is 6 (1 blk 1 wht) vs 3 other teams in each division. If you have any further questions please feel free to ask and if you're interested in signing up then click the link and I'll accept you in

Hi all One of the rules of the county championships is that players can only play for one team in a season in both the league and cup inclusive. The under 1600 competition is separate as it starts mid season but players can only play for one team in this competition also. The first team they play for is considered their nominated team. All points for the 2nd team are reversed. If a player plays for two teams in the same round as their first match all their points for both teams are reversed. The following players have played for more than one team. Bigphilyorks - Northern Knights and Yorks all points forfeited. Ecco5 - Birmingham and Worcestershire all points forfeited.

Hi, I'm hoping one of the experts on here can help me out. The presentation of my Daily Chess Games changed slightly yesterday and I don't like the new format. I'm not sure if it's something I've done or something chess.com has altered. My name and the name of my opponent used to appear on the right hand side of the board along with the moves, chat etc. They now appear above and below the board which is subsequently a little smaller. Any thoughts, I much preferred the older presentation. Cheers Alan

Hi all, This will be the forum for all matters concerning the 2018 Cup Competition. Which will start as soon as possible. The teams who reached the 1/4 finals of the 2017 cup competition receive a bye into round 2. (Only 7 teams as Team Bucks not competing in 2018) These teams are Sussex, Dorset, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Leinster. The Rounds will be as follows. The draw has been made all the way to the final to ensure as quick progress as possible. As soon as a team has a winning margin they are judged to be through to the next round. Please inform me asap when this happens Thanks. Round 1 (16 teams) - The 16 teams who didn't reach the 1/4 finals in 2017. - Please send challenges asap (either team can send the challenge) and start by the 16th December. Thanks 1 HAMPSHIRE v LONDON KNIGHTS= HAMPSHIRE WIN https://www.chess.com/club/matches/team-hampshire/853388 2 NORTHERN KNIGHTS v DEVON. https://www.chess.com/club/matches/northern-knights/854656 Devon win 3 RENFREWSHIRE ROOKS v BIRMINGHAM - RENFREWSHIRE WIN- If the match ends in a draw the last two boards results are eliminated and Renfrewshire win. https://www.chess.com/club/matches/renfrewshire-rooks/853364 4 CONNACHT v STAFFORDSHIRE https://www.chess.com/club/matches/connacht/854216 Staffs win 5 MARCHES v NORFOLK KNIGHTS -Norfolk win. If drawn they win after the last board is eliminated. 6 MUNSTER v WORCESTERSHIRE. - Munster Win 7 CAMBRIDGESHIRE v SUFFOLK - CAMBS WIn https://www.chess.com/club/matches/team-suffolk/854416 8 ESSEX v KENT CHECKMATES. https://www.chess.com/club/matches/essex-county-chess-group/853358 Kent win Round 2 (15 teams)- The 2017 1/4 finalists join the 8 winners of round 1. One team chosen at random will receive a bye into round 3 - Now replaced by new team East Midlands. A) Winner 2 DEVON. V winner 5 NORFOLK https://www.chess.com/club/matches/norfolk-knights/878532 Devon win B) SUSSEX V winner 8 KENT. https://www.chess.com/club/matches/kent-checkmates/889602 Sussex win C) SOMERSET V Winner 4 - STAFFORDSHIRE Somerset win 2 https://www.chess.com/club/matches/team-staffordshire/876104 D) Winner 1 - HAMPSHIRE V LANCASHIRE https://www.chess.com/club/matches/team-hampshire/881164 E) LEINSTER V winner 6 - MUNSTER. Leinster win . https://www.chess.com/club/matches/leinster/862920 F) YORKSHIRE V DORSET https://www.chess.com/club/matches/859056 YORKS WIN G) GLOUCESTERSHIRE V CAMBRIDGESHIRE winner 7 Cambs Win https://www.chess.com/club/matches/team-cambridgeshire/878992 H ) RENFREWSHIRE V EAST MIDLANDS https://www.chess.com/club/matches/team-east-midlands/884378 Renfrewshire win Round 3 (8 teams) 1) WINNER E LEINSTER V Cambridgeshire https://www.chess.com/club/matches/team-cambridgeshire/932260 2) WINNER F YORKSHIRE V WINNER A DEVON https://www.chess.com/club/matches/devon-chess/898706 3) WINNER B Sussex V WINNER D Hampshire https://www.chess.com/club/matches/team-hampshire/911222 4) WINNER H RENFREWSHIRE V WINNER C Somerset https://www.chess.com/club/matches/renfrewshire-rooks/903840 Semi Finals (4 teams) A)WINNER 3 Sussex v WINNER 1 Leinster https://www.chess.com/club/matches/team-sussex/943504 B) WINNER 2 Devon v WINNER 4 Somerset https://www.chess.com/club/matches/somerset-wyvern/948426 Final ( 2 teams) A V B Sussex v Somerset

I think it's a great pity that many of our County Championship games take place over so few boards. Is there any chance that we could up the minimum numbers in our various competitions. While the last thing we want is to lose counties because they can't find the numbers, I feel the value of the competition is devalued when matches are played over 4 boards. Is there a consensus to push the minimum up to perhaps 8 or 10 ?

Hi all Today is the last day of the 2018 season. The only match still in play that affects promotion/relegation was Hampshire v Renfrewshire. The last game has now been judged as a win for Renfrewshire. The results are... Congratulations to division 1 Champions Leinster! Relegated from Division 1 are Gloucestershire and Lancashire. Devon also finished on 2 points but had a better win to lose game ratio so stay up. Promoted from Division 2: Champions Somerset - Well done. 12 pnts 2nd . Staffordshire 11 points 3rd .Renfrewshire .10 points. Hampshire also finish on 10 points but Renfrewshire claim 3rd as they win the match v Hampshire. In the remaining game in that match Black has a winning advantage. Relegated from Division 2: Connacht and Worcestershire. Division 3: Promoted: Champions:. London Knights 2nd Northern Knights 3rd Essex (Kent could finish equal on points but as Essex beat Kent - Essex can't be overtaken) New tables and fixtures for 2019 coming soon. We will have 3 divisions each with 8 teams.

This forum is for all matters relating to division 2 for 2018. The following teams will compete in Division 2 in 2018. Birmingham Connacht Hampshire Norfolk Knights Renfrewshire Rooks Somerset Wyvern Staffordshire Worcestershire Fixtures and Tables to follow soon.

Hi In the rules of the county championships a player can only play for one team per season no matter which division the teams are in. The first team they play for is their nominated team for the whole season and any points scored for any other team are void and the results will be reversed. If it is unclear which their first team was ie they played for two or more teams in the same round of fixtures the results for both or all the teams are void. It is the role of the admin of each group to make sure all players are aware or the above. Players breaking these rules will be posted in this forum. Please report any players here also. Thanks Matt

Please sign up below for the 2019 League and Cup. Please comment with the team name and responsible admins, ideally at least 2 per team. If there isn't a second admin for your team please consider adding another member to your admin team or ask myself or another admin of the County Championship to join your team. This way if a team loses an admin their team can still continue to play in the championship. We have lost 2 teams in the last two years because they only had one admin. The deadline for 2019 Cup- will be October 31st 2018- aiming for a November 2018 start. The deadline for 2019 League will be November 30th 2018 - aiming for a January start. Unless stated by signing up it is assumed a team wishes to enter the League and Cup. Thanks all, Matt

Hi all, I would like your thoughts on players playing for more than one team in a season. At present the rules state players can only play for one team in a season. Do we want to keep this rule for 2019? Do we think it will have a detrimental effect on the championship if it is removed? Does it matter if a player scores points for more than one team? At the moment, Andy is spending a lot of time checking all the matches for players who have played for more than one team. It will also add to my workload changing results etc once it is all confirmed. However, the rule will stay in effect for the 2018 championship. If players can play for more than one team - the numbers of players in matches should increase. Please comment. I am happy to go with the majority view on this one. I do have a potential new team for the championship if this rule is removed so the decision will be made in a weeks time. (23/10/18) Thanks Matt

Hi all, The new season is fast approaching. Below is the format for then knock out cup in 2017. It is assumed all 20 registered teams will enter, please contact me or comment here if your team doesn't want to take part. The new competition will start once round 2 in 2016 is complete. 1)Teams who reach the semi finals in 2016 will start in round 3, so those still involved in the 2016 competition don't have too many fixtures. These teams are: Sussex, Yorks, Gloucestershire, Bucks or Cumbria. 2). The remaining 16 teams will start in round 1. The draw will be made using a random generator. 3) Round 2 will start once all the round 1 games have completed ie a team in each match has achieved a winning margin. The teams will be drawn randomly again. 4)Round 3: The winning teams from round 2 will be joined by the teams who reached the semi finals in 2016. Another random draw will take place. Round 4 - Semi Final Round 5 - Final.