DURHAM COUNTY CHESS ASSOCIATION

RON EVERS RULES

THE RON EVERS MEMORIAL TROPHY TOURNAMENT

 The Ron Evers Trophy will be competed for annually in memory of the lasting contribution to Durham Chess made by Ron Evers.

RULES:

1. Any club affiliated to the Durham Chess Association may enter any number of four-man teams. All players must be bona fide members of the club. Each team must have a clear designation by letter or by name. A team which fields a player who has previously played for another team in that season's competition shall be disqualified.

Each team's average grading is calculated in order to operate the following handicap system:

 Stronger team's advantage  Weaker team's handicap

  (Grading points) (Game points received) >=40 3½

  >=30 -  <40 2½

  >=20 -  <30 1½

  >=10 -  <20     ½

A team intending to field a currently ungraded player must inform the County Grader beforehand.  The Grader will assign the player a grade – either the last published grade, or, if no such information exists, a grade calculated from results currently available – and will notify both teams. 

Teams must be played in order of strength.

2. The first round draw will be made at random. The last dates for each round will be shown and must be strictly adhered to.

3. Results with names of players, signed by captains of both teams, must be sent promptly to the tournament controller. He will inform successful teams of their next draw, and will issue progress charts.

4. The time limit for the completion of games is one hour per player for all moves. Score sheets need not be kept, but claims for a draw by repetition of moves or under the second part of rule 6 cannot be made without a completed score sheet. Team captains shall toss a coin for colours before the match, the winner having the choice.

5. In the event of a drawn match, the match will be replayed, with colours reversed, with a 5 minute per player time set. In the event that the match is still drawn, one player from each side will play off a five-minute game to decide the match. If this game is drawn, a second player from each side will play a five-minute game, and so on until a result is obtained.

6. To win on time, a player must have the material to force mate against the worst legal play, including blocking in his own king, by the opponent whose time has run out. Furthermore, he should be making a positive attempt to win, not merely making innocuous moves until his opponent's clock  runs out. To claim a draw under the second part of this rule, a score sheet must be produced and the claim must be made before the flag has dropped. If  the claim cannot be upheld this amounts to resignation. A draw will be awarded if the provisions of either part of this rule are found to apply.

7.   The tournament is intended to be contested in a spirit of good fellowship. The short playing session should give enough time for some social contact. The final will be played at a neutral venue on a date fixed by the Association, to which spectators from all clubs will be invited and at which the Trophy will be presented.

8. It is hoped that disputes between clubs will not arise, as the tournament is a social one. Both team captains should seek to conclude a definite result acceptable to both on the night. If  they cannot, they should each report back to their club committees. A delay of a few days may help to put the dispute in perspective, as will the counsel of other members. If the dispute is intractable, both clubs should then contact the Association's Secretary or President, who will appoint a senior and independent arbitrator to hear both sides. Clubs agree by entering the tournament that they will assist him in every way, and that they will abide by his decision without further appeal. He may eliminate one or both sides, or order a game or the match to be replayed at a venue and date of his choice.

 9. An entry fee will be fixed by the Association, to defray the costs of administration.