SCCA Tournaments

General Information

How to Enter a Tournament

The normal method is to complete a membership application or renewal form, available from the Membership Secretary. The SCCA year runs from January-December and renewal forms are normally distributed in September. If you are already a member and wish to enter an event during the year, please get in touch with the Secretary.

Rules of Play

Events organised by the SCCA are run under its Rules of Play, which also provides references to international events organised by ICCF. Events are controlled by Tournament Directors (TDs) who may be assisted by Team Captains (TCs) in team tournaments.

Playing Modes

Our general philosophy is to allow players to agree the playing mode in all events (including the Championship) by mutual consent. In theory, this could result in games within a single event being played by a combination of postal, email and webserver methods. In the event of no agreement being reached, or the unavailability of technical facilities to support games and/or events, the TD's discretion will operate. To assist with prompt pairings and start dates, it would be appreciated if players stated their willingness to play under some or all of the available modes when completing their membership or renewal forms.

Recording of Moves

Examples of the media used and how moves are recorded in each of the playing modes can be found in How to Play CC, which also provides tips on etiquette and how to resolve problems.

Cost of Play

Players are encouraged to use webserver or email playing modes wherever possible, as there is generally no cost incurred beyond basic internet connection fees. Postal players should note that first class postage is mandatory for tournaments classed as 1-year events. Second class postage may be used for longer events.

Championship Tournaments

General

This cycle of events is the main method of playing competitive chess in the SCCA domestic programme. All patron, life and annual members are eligible to enter the cycle, though their entry level is determined by rating strength and results, and by the discretion of the TDs.

Championship

This is a two-year event with a guideline rating strength of 2000+. Only Scots and Scots Connections of any member type are eligible to play in the SCCA Championship Final (refer SCCA Policies for definitions). Within this restriction, previous finalists and players promoted from the Premier are eligible, and highly ranked new entrants may receive direct entry at the discretion of the TD. The winner is designated SCCA champion, and receives a trophy (held for one year), and a miniature (held permanently). The Final will be organised such that each player will play a minimum of 8 games. The event will be held over in years where the minimum number of games is not possible.

Premier

This is a one-year event with a guideline rating strength of 1750+. Previous entrants and players promoted from the Open are eligible, and appropriately ranked new entrants may receive direct entry at the discretion of the TD. Section winners receive a medal and are eligible to compete in the Championship.

Open

This is a one-year event with no rating restriction. All players are eligible, subject to the discretion of the TD. Section winners receive a medal and are eligible to compete in the Premier.

Summary	Start Date	Duration (years)	Number of Sections	Games per Opponent	Time Controls (moves/days)
					Postal	Email/Web
Championship	January	2	1	1	10/30	10/40
Premier	January	1	1+	1	10/20	10/30
Open	January/any	1	1+	2	10/20	10/30

Non-Championship Tournaments

General

This group of events covers Team Leagues, Challengers (social and development chess), and International Friendly Matches. All members (including associates) may participate in Team Leagues, but associates are not allowed to enter the other events.

Team Leagues

There are two leagues. In the webserver league, a team will consist of 4 players, with the highest rated playing board 1 and so on. A league will consist of 5 teams, and be all-play-all, with players from each team playing 4 games (2 as White and 2 as Black). Should it be necessary to form leagues with more or less than 5 teams, the league secretary will agree format with team captains before play.

In the postal league a team will consist of 5 players, with the highest rated playing board 1 and so on. A league will usually consist of 6 teams, though other numbers can be catered for. In a 6-team league, each player is paired against a single opponent from one of the other teams with the same board number, and plays two games (one White, one Black). In a league with other than 6 teams, the pairing rules may result in a player being matched with one or two opponents from different teams, but with the same board number. Two games are played with an equal colour split for each player and each team in total.

In both types of league, the convention is two promotions/two relegations between divisions. Where less than 5 or 6 teams are involved, the league secretary may exercise discretion after consulting with team captains.

Challengers

This event operates on a rolling format to allow players to arrange games as flexibly as possible (e.g. to cater for new joiners during a year, or periods of low activity in other events) and players may request additional games at any time. Certificates are awarded for best playing performance(s) during the cycle, provided players have played 4 matches (8 games) against 3 different opponents. All games commencing in 2012 will be part of the 2012-13 cycle.

International Friendly Matches

From time to time, the SCCA takes on teams from other national associations in the spirit of amici sumus. Matches are arranged over a wide range of boards, playing modes and playing strengths, and teams are selected in order of rating strength. Each board plays 2 games (one White, one Black) against their opponent, and players may elect to play more than one board for their team. This format is a great way to develop your chess and to make many overseas friendships.

Summary	Start Date	Duration (years)	Number of Sections	Games per Opponent	Time Controls (moves/days)
					Postal	Email/Web
Webserver League	January	1	1	4	n/a	10/30(w)
Postal League	January	1	1	2	10/20	10/30(e)
Challengers	January	1 (rolling)	1	any	10/30	10/30
International Friendly Matches	any	any	any	2	10/30	10/40