1

Fixtures

1.1

Junior 4NCL (J4NCL) fixtures will be played over three weekends as determined by the 4NCL Management Board.

2

Match Arrangements

2.1

Matches will be played over four boards.

2.2

The first-named team in each pairing will have the white pieces on the odd-numbered boards and black on the even-numbered boards.

2.3

The starting times and rates of play will be as set out in the entry guidelines published at the start of each season.

2.4

All games will be submitted for ECF grading (longplay or rapidplay as appropriate). In addition, Division 1 games will be submitted for FIDE rating.

2.5

Coaching will be provided for all competitors as per the entry form.

3

Match Points

3.1

Match points will be used to determine team placings. Game points will be used to determine team placings in the event of ties.
 

4

Registration Lists

4.1

Registration lists must contain the information required in the entry guidelines. All players in Division 1 must be members of an appropriate chess federation. A player not of English nationality must be either a member of his/her own national federation or of the ECF. For English players, the ECF membership code number must be included on the submitted team list.

4.2

Each team will be permitted to register up to ten players free.

5

Additions to the Registration List

5.1

Additional names may be added to a team’s list of registered players and should be submitted in the same way as for the registration list in 4.1 above.

5.2

Additional registrations must be  at the latest by Friday midnight before the weekend they are to play.

5.3

A fee of £5 is required for each and every registration that takes a team’s total of registered players above ten.

6

Transfers during the Season

6.1

A player who is named on a team’s list of players may transfer to another team provided he/she has not played during the current season. The transfer request must be agreed by the 4NCL Management Board.

6.2

The player will become registered for the new team immediately after a valid application is received.

6.3

If a team withdraws from the J4NCL, players who have played only for that team become free agents and may choose to play either for other teams in the squad if applicable or to join another team.

7

Team Lists

7.1

Team lists must be submitted to the arbiter at least one hour before each round. The list must give the full names of the players clearly in board order.

7.2

A team list may be amended without penalty for circumstances beyond the captain’s control provided this is done before the start of the round.

7.3

ECF grades will be used to determine the board order a team, unless agreed in advance with the arbiter.

7.4

Any complaint about the composition of a team must be made before the scheduled start of the round.

7.5

Known defaults must be on the lowest boards.

7.6

Pairings will be published at least half an hour before the start of play wherever possible.

8

Reserves

8.1

When a team list is submitted in accordance with rule 7.1 it may also include one nominated reserve player.

8.2

A nominated reserve may replace an absent player provided this is done not more than 30 minutes after the scheduled start of the round.

8.3

The improper use of reserves may result in the arbiter imposing a penalty as he deems appropriate on the offending team.

9

Other

9.1

The arbiter shall be empowered to administer the rules of the League.

9.2

An appeal against a decision may be made to the 4NCL Management Board. Notice of such an appeal must be made in writing and received within seven days of the original decision.

9.3

The 4NCL Management Board may apply penalties as it sees fit for any flagrant or premeditated breaches of the spirit as well as the letter of the rules.

9.4

All participants in the League shall consent to their name, sex, nationality, title, grade, and image being shown on the 4NCL website, such consent being a requirement of the Data Protection Act. Those wishing to withhold their consent shall not be permitted to play in the League.

9.5

A player may ask his/her captain if he/she may offer or accept a draw. The captain may agree, refuse or tell the player to refer to the match result sheet. In no circumstances may the captain look at any game between receiving the request and giving his/her decision.

9.6

The 4NCL Management Board shall arrange meetings for captains/managers, as and when required, at which matters of current interest and future policy shall be discussed.

9.7

In all cases the decisions of the 4NCL Management Board shall be final.

9.8

Juniors are permitted to play both in the 4NCL itself and in the J4NCL.

9.9

The 4NCL Management Board accept no responsibility for any damage, theft, injury or accident in relation to the person or property of anyone attending this event. They are unable to act in loco parentis for children and are not able to take responsibility for any child’s actions, or for the actions of anyone that may affect your child.  Parents, guardians and teachers as appropriate agree to the terms and conditions as set out in the entry guidelines and these rules as a condition of entry.  Parents/guardians/teachers are responsible for their children throughout the entire duration of the event.