Shropshire Rapidplay League
I have finalised the format and fixtures for the rapidplay league. Every club aside from Oswestry - for whom there was not a sufficient amount of interest - and Ludlow, who gave no acknowledgement whatsoever of my emails, entering at least one team. This gave us ten teams – which I had stated as the minimum number for the creation of two divisions as I felt ten teams was too many for one league. Although five is perhaps a little small for a league, I think it's preferable and so stuck by my original statement. I sorted the teams based on where they finished in the Shropshire Leagues last season, meaning that the first Division consists of Newport, Shrewsbury A, Telepost A, Telford A and Church Stretton & Condover, and the second division of Wellington, Priorslee Lions, Shrewsbury B, Telford B and Telepost B. The idea is that the top team in the second division would be promoted and the bottom team in the first division relegated, which obviously does depend on how successful the tournament is this season.
A quick summary of the rules:
· Players can only play for one club
· For each of the A Teams, the use of one substitute from their B Team - graded below 130 - over the whole season is permitted. This substitute may only play in one of the higher team's matchnights.
· Four players per team
· Each team should have 6 “home” and 6 “away” games over the season. This means that the home team has White on boards two and four, but also that teams will have two home games and one away game against some teams. Apologies for that!
· The time control is to be either 20 minutes for all moves or ten minutes plus ten seconds for every move. The two team captains must decide on which time control to use for their match, and it must be used by all boards in that match. It is, however, permissible for a team to use one time control for their first game in a matchnight and change for the second game if the captains agree.
· This is a rapidplay graded tournament, so teams should be arranged in standard play grade order (with the usual 10-point flexibility) in the absence of rapid grades.
I've quite possibly missed something out or picked a bad date for one of the fixtures, despite my best efforts to ensure that none of the clubs involved on a matchnight have a game in the main league on that night. Please do ask any questions or point out any errors and I will attempt to amend them.
Good luck!
Matt Best 14/09/2013
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Proposed Shropshire Rapidplay League
After discussions at the Shropshire Chess Association's AGM, the potential formation of a Shropshire Rapidplay League is inching forwards. For those not present at the meeting, it would run throughout the main league season to act as a supplement for those people who feel there is not a sufficient number of games in the Shropshire Chess calendar, whilst allowing those who feel there are the right amount or even too many to continue without any hassle.
I have emailed all captains and secretaries for whom emails are provided on the SCA website. Could people please bring the provisional format to the attention of people at their clubs to allow discussion on it, so that any amendments can be made as necessary. The deadline for any amendments is the 31 st July, so suggestions will need to be made to me before then - either via email or phone (01743 821 220). Once the rules are confirmed, clubs will have until 31 st August to enter. Late entries may not be considered unless they fit into the schedule without any disruption.
The provisional guidelines are attached. If anyone has any trouble opening the attachment, please let me know.
Matt Best 16/07/2013
Proposed Shropshire Rapidplay League
* Four players per team
* Games would be half an hour for each player, or - if team captains agree and electronic clocks are available - a Fischer time control of 20 minutes plus ten seconds per move may be used. Both time controls are eligible for rapid grading.
* Matches would take place roughly once a month (subject to change depending upon the number of entries), preferably on weeknights at one of the clubs' venue when no league matches are scheduled to be played. Four teams would go to the venue (the dates won't be finalised until entries are confirmed and the main leagues' fixtures are confirmed) and would play each other team once on the night, meaning each team would play three matches per night. One team would be the nominal “home” team for each match on the night and therefore be White on boards two and four, which would then be reciprocated at the return fixture.
* There is no obligation for clubs to work in the same structure as the main league. For example, if Ludlow were only able to field 3 players, and Church Stretton and Condover the same again, the two clubs could participate as one team for the purpose of this event. Equally, if Shrewsbury and Telepost were both able to field two full teams and half a third team, those two incomplete third teams could merge to become one (named The Shrewsbury Sharks or something equally dubious!).
* Players would only be permitted to play for one club, although substitutions between teams within clubs would be permitted provided that the player is graded below 130.
* Substitutes may only play 3 games for their second team (whichever team they play 3 matches for first is nominated as their team).
* The “10 point rule” will be used for determining board order. Rapidplay grades from the start of the season take priority, but standardplay grades from the summer list are to be used in the absence of a rapid grade.
* Players with no standard or rapid grade may play on any board. However, if an ungraded player receives either a standard or rapid grade in the January list, then that will be used for the remainder of the season for the purposes of board order, but they may still play for another team as a substitute, even if their January grade exceeds 130 – this prevents clubs running short of players halfway through a season.
* If 10+ teams entered, then two divisions (based on the teams' current standings in the Shropshire Chess League) would be created.
* Players must record their moves, up until the final five minutes as in standardplay games– this makes games eligible for grading. Matt Best 16/07/2013
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