Interclub By-Laws

1. Introduction

(1) This by-law is made in accordance with the Rules of Chess Victoria Incorporated.
(2) Unless a decision to the contrary in respect of a particular case is made by
the Executive or the Association in General meeting, the provisions of this by-law,
including all penalties specified or implied, shall apply to all affiliated clubs,
teams and members of teams in Association interclub teams competition

2. Definitions and Interpretations

In this by-law, unless the contrary intention appears, words importing the masculine shall include the feminine, the singular shall include the plural and the following definitions shall apply:
“Interclub Director” shall mean an office-bearer appointed by the Executive to administer Association competitions between teams representing affiliated clubs;
“Zone Director” shall mean an office-bearer appointed by the Interclub Director to act on his behalf in matters affecting the administration of part of a competition held in a particular region or venue;

“Arbiter” shall mean a person appointed by the Interclub Director

(a) to fulfil those functions which the Laws of Chess and the rules of the competition indicate are the functions of the arbiter, and

(b) to carry out such other duties as the Zone Director may require;

“Captain” shall mean the person whom the club that entered the team has nominated on the Team Entry Form to be the spokesperson for the team;
“Team” shall mean four members of the same affiliated club who satisfy the eligibility requirements for the competition;
“Match” shall mean four games scheduled to be played simultaneously, in each of which four members of one team are opposed to four members of another team.

3. Format of Competition

(1) The format of the competition shall be determined by the Executive.
(2) The format of the competition, including the venue, starting time and pairings for at least the first round in each grade, section and/or zone shall be detailed in a fixture to be distributed to Team Captains as soon as possible after the close of entries.

4. Ties

(1) Should a tie occur at a time when teams must be ranked according to total game points, a group of two or more teams with the same total shall be ranked within the group according to the total number of game points that were scored by each such team when paired against the other teams in that group – the effect of which shall be to produce the same ranking as would have occurred had those teams produced identical results against each other in a round-robin competition limited to that group of tied teams.
(2) Should a tie still exist, it shall be resolved in favour of the tied team with the greater number of opponent teams’ game points, which shall be allocated to each of the tied teams as follows:
(a) all the game points scored by teams against which the tied team scored 4 game points, plus
(b) 87.5 per cent of all game points scored by teams against which the tied team scored 3½ game points, plus
(c) 75 per cent of all game points scored by teams against which the tied team scored 3 game points, plus
(d) 62.5 per cent of all game points scored by teams against which the tied team scored 2½ game points, plus
(e) 50 per cent of all game points scored by teams against which the tied team scored 2 game points, plus
(f) 37.5 per cent of all game points scored by teams against which the tied team scored l½ game points, plus
(g) 25 per cent of all game points scored by teams against which the tied team scored 1 game point, plus
(h) 12.5 per cent of all game points scored by teams against which the tied team scored a ½ game point.
3) Should a tie occur in a match after which the losing team in that match is to be eliminated or relegated to a lower place than the winner of the match, the tie shall be resolved as follows:
(a) in competitions in which the the tied teams competed together and were ranked relative to each other at the end of the previous stage of the competition, the tie shall be resolved in favour of the team ranked higher at that stage.
(b) in competitions in which the tied teams did not compete together and were not ranked relative to each other at the end of the previous stage of the competition, the result of the game on the lowest board shall be discarded and, if necessary, this process repeated by also discarding the result of the game on the next-lowest board until one team has a higher score based on the results of games on the remaining, higher boards.
(4) Should a tie still exist, it shall be resolved in favour of the tied team with the lower average rating based on the ratings of the players who played and did not lose on forfeit in the match concerned. For the purposes of this sub-clause, a player’s rating shall be the same as that used for all other purposes of the competition or, in the case of an unrated player, the rating determined for that player in accordance with sub-clauses 8(7)(c) and 8(7)(d)
(5) If, in the judgment of the Interclub Director, exceptional circumstances exist to an extent that renders application of the tie-break provisions in this by-law inappropriate or inadequate, the tie may be broken by whatever means the Interclub Director considers appropriate.

5. Playing Schedule
(1) All games shall be played at times and venues determined by the Executive and set out in the fixture for the competition, which shall be distributed to all team captains as soon as possible after the close of entries.
(2) In exceptional circumstances, the Zone Director may consent to the playing in advance or postponement of a game (or match) and/or the playing of a game at a venue other than that indicated in the fixture if, before the start of play in the game concerned, the captain of the team applying for the change satisfies the Zone Director that:
(a) the circumstances are exceptional;
(b) the captain of the opponent team consents to the change;
(c) the proprietors of the proposed alternative venue consent to the game being played at that place at the proposed time;
(d) a person acceptable to the Zone Director is willing to be in attendance and serve as Arbiter throughout the period of the game;
(e) the club of the team seeking the change is willing to bear all related costs, which may include the cost of ensuring the attendance of an acceptable Arbiter.
(3) In exceptional circumstances, the Arbiter may direct that a game be adjourned, in which case the Zone Director shall determine the time, place and other matters necessary for the resumption.
(4) (a) No game or match result shall be agreed to without play.
(b) If within three days after the start of a match the Zone Director becomes aware of an infringement of clause 5(4)(a), the game or match concerned shall be deemed to have been lost on forfeit by both teams.

6. Entries
(1) Each club seeking to enter the competition shall submit a separate team entry form for each team entered.
(2) When completed, each team entry form shall include:
(a) ) in order of playing strength, the full name of each person the club regards as likely to play in the team;
(b) the estimated national rating of each person listed;
(c) the name and postal address of a person the club has appointed to carry out the responsibilities of team captain, as indicated in this by-law and in any other material disseminated by the Association in connection with the competition;
(d) such other information as is provided for on the team entry form.
(3) Each club shall pay a team entry fee in respect of each team entered by that club.
(4) No team entry shall be acceptable until the team entry fee is paid in full and the team entry form has been properly completed and received by the Zone Director.

7. Order Of Play Within Teams
(1) At least seven days before the scheduled start of the competition, each club shall submit to the Zone Director a list to be known as the club’s playing order list, which shall include the full name of all players the club regards as likely to play in any of its teams at any time during the competition, listed in an order of playing strength not significantly different from the order of playing strength suggested by the national ratings list specified for the purposes of the competition.
(2) In the event of a club failing to provide a club playing order list or providing a list which does not comply with the requirements indicated in this by-law, the playing order list for that club shall be determined by the Zone Director.
(3) In the event of a club introducing into one of its teams a player not included on its playing order list, the Zone Director shall determine that player’s position on the club’s playing order list.
(4) (a) In any team, no player shall play at a board lower than a player placed below him on his club’s playing
order list.
(b) If within three days after the start of a match the Zone Director becomes aware of an infringement of
clause7(4)(a), the infringing team shall be deemed to have lost on forfeit the game played by the player who
played at a board lower than that of the player placed below him on their club’s playing order list.

8. Eligibility
(1) Minimum Games Before Finals
(a) In grades or divisions of grades consisting of:
(i) 1 to 5 rounds, any player who has participated in the preliminary rounds of the grade or division concerned shall be eligible to play in the finals;
(ii) 6 or more rounds, any player who has participated twice in the preliminary rounds of the grade or division concerned shall be eligible to play in the finals.
(b) In exceptional circumstances, the requirements of clause 8(1)(a) may be set aside at the discretion of the Interclub Director.
(c) If within three days after the start of a finals match the Zone Director becomes aware of an infringement
of clause 8(l)(a), the infringing team shall be deemed to have lost on forfeit on the board concerned.

(2) Playing More than One Game in the Same Round
(a) Any player, having played in a given round, shall be ineligible to play in another grade in the
same round except when representing the same club in different grades and in accordance with clause 8(3)
(b) If within three days after the start of a match the Zone Director becomes aware of an infringement of clause 8(2)(a), the infringing team shall be deemed to have lost on forfeit the second game the player concerned played in that same round.
(3) Limited Number of Games in a Lower Grade
(a) A player who has played four games in a given grade shall cease to be eligible to play in a lower grade during the same season.
(b) If within three days after the start of a match the Zone Director becomes aware of an infringement of clause 8(3)(a), the infringing team shall be deemed to have lost on forfeit the game the player concerned played in the lower grade.
(4) Clubs with More than One Team in a Grade
(a) Where a club has more than one team in the same grade, a player who has played in one of those teams may not play in any other of those teams.
(b) If within three days after the start of a match the Zone Director becomes aware of an infringement of clause 8(4)(a), the second team for which the player concerned played shall be deemed to have lost on forfeit the game the player concerned played in that team.
(5) Non-Members

(a) No player shall be eligible to compete in a team entered by a club that is unwilling to declare the player to be a member of the club.
(b) If within three days after the start of a match the Zone Director becomes aware of an infringement of clause 8(5)(a), the team concerned shall be deemed to have lost on forfeit the game that player played in that team.

(6) Representing More Than One Club

(a) A player who has represented one club in an interclub competition shall be ineligible to represent
another club in the same competition unless all teams in which the player was eligible to play
have been withdrawn.

(b) If within three days after the start of a match the Zone Director becomes aware of an infringement of
clause 8(6)(a), the team entered by the club the player concerned was ineligible to represent shall be
deemed to have lost on forfeit the game that the player concerned played in that team.

(7) Rating Limits

(a) A rated player whose rating at the time entries are invited exceeds the rating limit for a particular grade
shall, subject to sub-clause (d), be ineligible to play in that grade.
(b) A rated player whose rating at the time entries are invited does not exceed the rating limit for a particular
grade shall, notwithstanding sub-clause (d) but subject to all other eligibility rules, remain eligible to compete in that grade regardless of any subsequent change to his rating.
(c) The Association Ratings Officer shall determine a rating for each unrated player.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in sub-clauses (a) and (c), the Association Ratings Officer may at any time revise
the rating of any player and a rating so revised shall be deemed to be that player’s rating for the purposes of the competition.
(e) If within three days of the start of a match the Zone Director becomes aware of an infringement of clause
7(a), the infringing team shall be deemed to have lost on forfeit the game the player concerned played in that team.

9. Duty Teams

(1) From time to time during the competition a team may be rostered to serve as a duty team, in which case the fixture for the competition or a notice displayed at the playing venue shall indicate the duties and the dates on which the teams concerned shall be required to carry them out.

(2) Each duty team shall ensure that at least one representative of the team

(a) reports to the Zone Director at the venue at least 20 minutes before the scheduled start of play, and

(b) carries out the duties to the satisfaction of the Zone Director.

(c) The club of a team that has not been exempted from its duties as duty team and that fails to carry out those duties satisfactorily shall be required to provide the Zone Director with a written explanation.

10. Equipment

(1) CV shall provide all equipment at venues at which matches are scheduled to be played according to the fixture for the
competition.

(2) Sets and Boards
(a) The first-named team in each pairing shall provide sets and boards for all games played in home-and away
competitions.
(b) If within three days after the start of a match the Zone Director becomes aware of an infringement of clause 10(2)(a),
the infringing team shall be deemed to have lost on forfeit any game which was not played as a result of that
infringement.

(3) Clocks
(a) Each team shall be responsible for providing chess clocks for the boards on which its players are to play
with the white pieces in home-and-away competitions.
(b) If within one hour of the scheduled starting time a clock has not been provided for a game, the player to
play with white in that game shall forfeit as much time as passes until a clock is provided.
(c) If one hour after the scheduled starting time a clock has not been provided, the team responsible for
providing the clock shall forfeit the game.

11. Commencement and Cessation of Play

(1) Before the start of play in each session, each team captain (or a representative of the team acting on his behalf) shall

deliver to the Zone Director a teams results card indicating:

(a) the competition, grade and year;
(b) the complete names of the two opposed teams in fixture order;
(c) the round number or final;
(d) the correctly spelt surname and usual first name in full of the players who are to play in the team and the
board number for each.

(2) Colours

(a) Unless otherwise stated, the first-named team in any match shall have the white pieces on the
odd-numbered boards.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Laws Of Chess, if both players have completed one or more moves
with the wrong colour, the game shall continue.

(3) If an eligible player has not made a move within one hour after the scheduled starting time, that player’s team shall forfeit on the board concerned.

(4) Unless, due to exceptional circumstances, the Zone Director allows otherwise, games shall be completed before the
date for which the following round or final is scheduled.

12. Notification of Results

(1) Immediately after the scheduled playing session and immediately after play in each advanced, postponed and/or adjourned game (whether or not the result of any game has been achieved) each team represented shall present or forward a teams results card to the Zone Director by whatever means the Zone Director may require.

(2) Each teams results card shall include:

(a) all the information required under clause 11(1);

(b) the result of each completed game;

(c) the signature of the captain of each team or a person acting on his behalf;

(d) such other information as may be provided for on the card.

(3) If, at the time scheduled for the start of a round or final, the Zone Director has not received a satisfactorily filled out teams
results card in respect of a game from a previous round or final in the grade concerned, that game shall be declared lost on
forfeit by both teams.

13. Team Withdrawal

(1) Any club wishing to withdraw a team shall notify the Interclub Director in writing at least one clear week before the team’s next scheduled match.

(2) If less than one week’s notice is given and the team is not scheduled to have a bye in the next round, all the team’s games in the next round shall be deemed to have been lost on forfeit and the withdrawal shall become effective after the next round.

(3) A team which forfeits two matches shall be considered withdrawn.

(4) When a team withdraws from the competition, game points scored by or against that team shall, for the purposes of compiling scores of other teams, be regarded as not having been scored unless half or more of the scheduled matches, excluding forfeited matches and finals matches of that team have been completed.

(5) Where a team is withdrawn after having played half or more of its scheduled matches excluding forfeited matches and finals matches, all game points scored against that team shall stand and teams paired against the withdrawn team in matches scheduled to be played after the withdrawal shall receive the maximum number of game points that could have been scored in a match against the withdrawn team.

14. Forfeits

(1) Where a team is deemed to have lost a game on forfeit, the game point shall (unless the opponent team is also deemed to have lost that game on forfeit) be awarded to the opponent team.

(2) For the purposes of Clause 8(1)(a), a player whose name appears on a teams results card submitted by his team shall be deemed not to have played in the match concerned if he was not in attendance at the venue within one hour of the scheduled starting time and regardless of whether or not the game concerned was won on forfeit.

(3) For the purposes of Clauses 8(2)(a), 8(3)(a), 8(4)(a), 8(5)(a) and 8(6)(a), a player whose name appears on a teams results card submitted by his team shall be deemed to have played in the match concerned if he was in attendance at the venue within one hour of the scheduled starting time and regardless of whether or not the game concerned was won on forfeit.

(4) Each club shall incur a fine of an amount to be determined from time to time by the Association for the third and each subsequent game lost on forfeit or deemed to have been lost on forfeit by each of its teams.

15. Team Captains

The duties and responsibilities of team captains shall be to:

(a) maintain a working knowledge of the by-laws, rules and resolutions of the Association that apply to the competition;

(b) be the spokesperson for the team;

(c) receive communications from the Association to the team and ensure all appropriate information is conveyed to all team members;

(d) ensure each team member is provided with a fixture for the competition and is advised of any changes to it;

(e) ensure that, before the next match, each team member is informed of his board number or that he is not required because of a bye or other reason;

(f) ensure all team members are aware of the venue and starting time for the next match;

(g) (in home-and-away competitions) ensure the Interclub Director is advised when any change occurs in the address, playing times or other circumstances affecting the availability of the team’s home venue;

(h) ensure team members play no game or match at a time or venue other than indicated in the fixture without the prior consent of the Interclub Director;

(i) be thoroughly acquainted with the information provided on the team entry form submitted by the club that entered the team and ensure the Zone Director is advised of any significant change in that information;

(j) ensure that, in the event of the temporary or permanent replacement of the captain, the Zone Director is advised of the name, postal address and means of contacting the new captain by telephone during and after business hours;

(k) ensure that the board order in which all team members play is consistent with the club’s playing order list;

(l) ensure that only team members who have played the minimum number of games in the preliminary matches play in the finals;

(m) ensure that no player who has played the permitted maximum number of games in a higher grade plays for the team;

(n) ensure no player plays for the team if he has played for another of the club’s teams in the same grade;

(o) ensure no player whose rating exceeds the limit for the grade plays for the team;

(p) ensure that, before the team is required to serve as duty team, team members who are to carry out the duties are reminded that they must report to the Zone Director 20 minutes before the scheduled start of play;

(q) (in home-and-away competitions) ensure all equipment the club is to provide for home matches is provided;

(r) ensure that, before the next match, team members responsible for providing clocks are reminded of that responsibility;

(s) ensure a correctly filled-out teams results card is delivered to the Zone Director before the scheduled starting time for each match;

(t) ensure a correctly completed teams results card is delivered to the Zone Director immediately after each session;

(u) ensure that, if the club intends to withdraw the team for any reason, the Interclub Director is notified in writing a week before the next round;

(v) ensure the club is advised of all fines incurred by the team;

(w) do all such other things consistent with this by-law and the role of team captain as may be necessary to ensure the satisfactory participation of the team in the competition.