Three Sections

Sections

Open

Under 2000

Under 1700

If FIDE rated players also have an ECF grade, their ECF grade must be below 175 in the Under 2000 section and under 135 in the Under 1700 section.

Playing Schedule

Two ½ point byes may be taken in rounds 1–6.

Time Control

All moves in 45 minutes plus 15 second increment per move from move 1.

Re-pairing will take place 15 minutes after the start of a round. Players who have not arrived will be defaulted 15 minutes after the scheduled start of a round.

Grades and Ratings

FIDE ratings from the August 2020 list will be used where possible. ECF grades published in the July 2020 list will be used for players with no FIDE rating and converted to four digit ratings using the formula 7.5*ECF+700. If necessary, players will be transferred between sections to take account of rating/grading movements after date of entry (see below).

Players without a current FIDE rating or ECF grade must give details of estimated playing strength, including any previously held grading, or current grading from another body.

All games will be submitted for ECF online rating.

Tie-Breaks

In the event of a tie on points, the following tie-breaks will be used:

1. Direct Encounter 

2. Median-Buchholz 

3. Buchholz Cut 1 

4. Buchholz

Entry Fee

£7.00 for all sections.

Trophies

1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place in each section.

Best performance trophy in each section.

No player may win more than one trophy. Ungraded or unrated players may not win a rating trophy.

Trophies may be changed subject to numbers of entries.

Using Lichess

The 4NCL uses Lichess for its congresses. Players new to online chess or to Lichess should read the following documents before the congress:

• Guide to Playing Games on Lichess

• 4NCL Online Disconnection Guidelines

Lichess and Child Safeguarding

Lichess is a third party website over which the 4NCL has no direct control, and as a result parents will need to consider for themselves whether or not it is appropriate for their child to use this website to play in this congress. Parents may want to consider the following child safeguarding measures:

• Setting up children’s accounts account in “Kid Mode”, which disables all site communications and is password protected;

• Whether or not parents want to fill in a real name, provide location details, and write other details in the biography on their children’s profiles;

• There are various other privacy options, including allowing “followers” of the account, and whether or not to allow messaging.

Other

In all sections there is a pay to play fee of £5.00 for players who are not ECF members or supporters.

Players need an account at https://lichess.org/ in order to play in the congress.

The 4NCL reserves the right to transfer players between sections at any time.

Pairings in all sections will be made using Swiss-Manager.

Players under sanction in 4NCL Online or Junior 4NCL Online may not play in the congress.

The 4NCL reserves the right to refuse any entry without explanation.

The submission of an entry form and payment of the entry fee denotes acceptance that the 4NCL’s decision is final in all matters.