Introduction

Triangular matches are organised on weekends where there are an odd number of teams competing in a division using Swiss pairings. Each of the three teams in the triangular match will play three games against each opposing team on two days. Over the two days, therefore, each team will play six games against each opposing team. The League Table will then be calculated as if these two component six-board matches were regular matches.

In the event of there being an odd number of teams in the final round of a three-day weekend, a triangular will be arranged over one day only, and half normal match points will be awarded for the component three-board matches.

In the event a triangular match is required for eight-player teams, the process will be extended through boards seven and eight of each team as appropriate.

Board Order

The pairings are arranged such that, if the teams are unchanged, each player will play one game with white and one with black, and against one opponent from each opposing team. Therefore it is important that players who play on both days do not play on an odd-numbered board on one day, and on an even-numbered board on the other, to ensure that there is no risk of them playing the same team (and potentially the same player) on both days. This requirement takes precedence over the 100-point rule, the colour rotation for any player, and the number of wildcards permitted in the top half of a team (as per rules 6.5-6.7); however these requirements should be met to the fullest extent possible. Captains are expected to think ahead and vary the Saturday and/or Sunday board order(s) to mitigate the problem if possible.

Under rule 7.2, the Chief Arbiter and/or the Sector Arbiter is empowered to require the following changes to team lists in a triangular match, where they deem such a change to be necessary in the best interests of the event:

• Changes to board orders on either or both days
• Changes to the ratings selected for a player during a weekend to keep players within the 100pt rule as far as possible

Any changes made to these orders will be communicated to team captains.

Playing Arrangements

Each team is allocated a letter (A, B, or C) which will apply on both days; these will be communicated to the captains of the teams before the start of the triangular match. When the pairings are published on the website, the matches will be shown under the final match those games will count towards. On the second day of a triangular, the pairings for day two will be shown amongst the results of day one; if team lists or orders differ between days for a team then it may appear in these matches that a team has broken the 100-point rule when it has not.

For a one-day triangular, the Saturday pairing grid shall be used.

First published: Alex McFarlane, July 2023

Amendments: Thomas Evans, September 2026

© 4NCL

Four Nations Chess League

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