MSL Chess Team Code 2022-2024

APPROVED MSL Activity Directors 

 1.          Eight team members shall play at one time.  Additional players may play if both teams have players that would like to play an exhibition match for no official score.  Substitutions may be made to a lineup, but must be done before the match starts.  Substitutions must be made in good faith to the actual strength of the players.

2.          Conference Meets

a.     All meets will be dual.

b.     All meets shall be played according to the MSL schedule, with make-ups being the responsibility for the team responsible for the missed meet.

c.     All matches will follow IHSA rules, guidelines, and terms and conditions.  The MSL coaches will review the IHSA changes on a bi-annual basis to ensure consistency between MSL match play and IHSA match play.

3.          Scoring of the match shall proceed according to the IHSA Chess rulebook.

a.     The home team is responsible for submitting the score to the league statistician and coordinator.

4.         Conference Champions

The team conference champion is determined by overall record within the MSL dual schedule.  In case of a tie, the IHSA tie-break system shall be used to determine team placing.

5.         MSL Team Tournament

All MSL Chess Teams will compete in the annual MSL Team Tournament, usually held on the Saturday two weeks before the IHSA State Tournament champion.  The winning team of the tournament is declared the MSL Tournament champion, not the MSL Conference Champion.

Tournament shall consist of four rounds per IHSA timing (Swiss pairing).  Between rounds two and three, there shall be a 30-minute break for lunch.

Award winners will be determined by the best overall record from the four rounds. If two or more teams are tied at the end of four rounds the IHSA tie-break system shall be used to determine placing.

The MSL conference tournament will start at 8:00 am with check in at 7:30 am.

6.         Awards.

a.     A conference champion trophy will be presented to the Conference Champion.

b.     Trophies will be given out to the first, second and third place teams of the MSL Team Tournament.

c.     The top three individuals at each of the eight boards of the MSL Team Tournament will receive medals, with first place receiving gold, second place silver, and third place bronze.

7.         Sportsmanship

All individuals involved with Chess (students and adults) are expected to exhibit exemplary behavior and sportsmanship.  Respect and consideration are to be shown to opposing team members by team members, coaches, and the audience.

Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated.  Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to, condescending laughter, unnecessary comments, talking about another player’s match while in progress, making excessive noise while matches are in progress, and distracting body language.  A player that violates the expectations for sportsmanship may be penalized according to the IHSA Chess rulebook; penalties may result in forfeit of that player’s match.

The use of electronic devices, excluding IHSA approved electronic notation devices, including but not limited to cell phones, listening devices and communication devices, is prohibited. Use of such devices may result in forfeiture per the IHSA guidelines.

In the spirit of good sportsmanship and friendly rivalry, the coaches will set the example for the students.  They will abide by the rules of the IHSA, and if questions are raised, they can contact the league coordinator as well as the IHSA Chess Coordinator.

8.         Post Season Coaches Meetings:

The post-season meeting will be held in conjunction with the MSL Chess Team Tournament in January.