Conditions of Entry 2015

1) No entries can be accepted except on an official entry form or online from this website. Additional forms can be obtained here or by contacting the ECF office with a stamped addressed envelope.

2) Participants are expected to maintain acceptable standards of dress & behaviour

3) Prizewinners must attend the appropriate prizegiving for their event as announced in the programme. The main prizegiving will be held on Saturday 8th August at 9.30 am. Failure to attend without the prior permission of the Congress Manager or a Principal Arbiter may result in the forfeiting of the prize concerned.

4) Every effort is made to place entrants in the tournament of their choice but the right is reserved to transfer an entry to another appropriate section. The Federation may deduct an administration fee from any refund to players who withdraw.

5) A player withdrawing during any event without good cause will be liable to pay a full entry fee at any future event organised by the Federation and/or a bond returnable on satisfactory conduct during such events.

6) Only food/drink bought at the playing venue may be consumed within that area.

7) English players MUST be members of the English Chess Federation. Gold membership is required for FIDE rated events (other than Rapidplay and Blitz) and Silver for others. Silver membership is required for Rapidplay and Bronze membership is required for Blitz. Members should quote their membership number on the entry form. Non-members must enclose a membership form and pay the appropriate membership fee. Membership forms can be obtained from the ECF website (where you may also join online) or the ECF office. Other players MUST be a member of their national body.

8) Players competing in FIDE-rated events MUST be registered with FIDE and obtain a FIDE ID number before entering. To register with FIDE, please contact your preferred National Federation.

9) To avoid late fees, both the entry form and entry fee MUST BE RECEIVED before the “late fee” date.

10) The Organisers reserve the right to refuse entry without giving a reason.

Please note that photographs will be taken at the event which may be used for publicity purposes both for the current Championships and those in future years. Any objection by an individual to the same being published should be notified to the event organisers. The ECF Data Controller is John Philpott.

Entry to the Championships is deemed to be acceptance of these conditions.

Information for Competitors

Grades/Ratings: –
For FIDE rated events (excluding U180, U160, Rapidplay and Blitz Championships): FIDE ratings take precedence, if no FIDE then other National Grade/Rating.

Non FIDE rated events: National Grade/Rating will be used. Ungraded players must give details of any previous grades/ratings held.

Default time: Players arriving 30 (10 for Rapidplay or U8) minutes or more after the start of a session shall lose, unless the arbiter decides otherwise. Repairing will normally be offered after that time.

Programme: A full programme will be available to download from the website shortly before the Championships.

Surcharges: A £10 surcharge will apply to entries made on the day of an event, if accepted.

Mobile phones: Please see programme and notices within venue for rules regarding mobile phones.

Overlapping events: Players may not take part in two tournaments on the same day if the sessions potentially overlap. The following exceptions apply —
Players may take a ½pt bye in a Weekender if they are playing in an afternoon event.
Players may take a ½pt bye in the Major Open if they have a junior afternoon round. All players may take up to 2 half point byes in any of the first six rounds of the Major Open. They must inform the Major Open Controller at least 24 hours in advance.
Players in the British Championship may take a ½pt bye in the junior pm round when playing in both.

Byes: In non-championship events, a round one bye may be claimed on the entry form. For other rounds, the section controller must be consulted at the event.

Commentary: Daily commentary will take place on British Championship games.

Coaching for Juniors: Coaching will be available free to Juniors. Further details will be given in the programme. We are grateful to the John Robinson Youth Chess Trust for allowing us to provide this service.

Sussex Junior Best Game Prize: Sussex Junior Chess Association have donated two £50 best games prizes. These prizes will be awarded for the best game in the Junior Championships (U10 – U16) in week 1 and week 2. Details of how to enter will be announced at the Championships. We are grateful to Sussex Junior Chess for their continued support of these prizes.