Tournaments

A K.O. competition with ‘traditional’ time controls permitting the leisure of adjournments rather than quick-play finishes.
Open to players who live in Sussex or who are members of Sussex clubs
New 3 hours playing session should permit evening matches.
Entry fee £3.50
Tournament Controller: Paul Batchelor

P.Batchelor@outlook.com

Tournament Fees

Cheques payable to Sussex County Chess Association; or SCCA bank account details can be made available on request for direct payments.

Results

For up to date results. Please, see below.

lms.englishchess.org.uk/lms/organisation/1118/fixtures

Paul Watson Trophy Rules

The Paul Watson Trophy is the permanent property of the Sussex County Chess Association (SCCA) and is competed for annually among clubs in Sussex. The winning team shall hold the Cup for one year.
An entrance fee shall be paid by each competing team, comprising an amount determined by the SCCA (for 2022-23, the fee is £6).
Entries shall be sent to the Tournament Controller not later than 29th October.
The competition shall be played as a Knock-Out, unless there are 3 teams entered, in which case an all-play-all will apply. In general, the draw for each round will be made randomly by the Tournament Controller (TC), unless there are sufficient entries to introduce geographically split pairings (West and East zones).
Teams shall be of four players. Clubs may enter multiple teams, but players may only play for one team in any given season. Players should be bona fide club members (in the event of doubt over eligibility, clubs should refer in advance of the match to the TC for a ruling).
The average ECF rating of each team, rounded to the nearest whole number, shall be no more than 1825, using the September 2022 list for fixtures before 31st Jan and for fixtures after 31st Jan, the January 2023 list. Players that have a lower rating using the current monthly list as at the date of the fixture may be rated using that list. Unrated players will be treated as graded 1750, or their most recent ECF rating, if applicable.
Teams shall play in order of strength, having regard to the latest ECF rating List
The TC will determine the time-scales allowed for each round, with the aim of the final being played on or before 31st May in each year.
Team captains shall make arrangements for holding matches, within the time-scales determined by the TC. The home team captain shall within 10 days of receipt of the pairing, offer three dates, at least 14 days away and avoiding clashes with away club fixtures. One of these must be accepted by the away team captain within 7 days, otherwise the Tournament Controller shall have the right to default the offending team, subject to appeal to the SCCA committee. Failure to play on the agreed date shall likewise result in default, save in exceptional circumstances.
Matches are assumed to be mid-week, but may be played at weekends by mutual agreement
Board colours for each match are to be determined by toss of a coin.
Time controls: a. The rate of play shall be all moves in 80 minutes with a 10 second increment per move from move 1. b. Where suitable digital clocks are not available, or with the agreement of both players, a time control of 30 moves in 60 mins, followed by a quick-play finish of 30 mins for each player may be used.
In the event of a tied match, the result shall be determined by: a. Board count b. Board elimination from the bottom board upwards c. The team with black on odds shall be the winner
The interpretation of these rules and the conduct of the competition including the resolution of any disputes shall be at the discretion of the TC, with any appeal of the TC’s decisions to be considered by the SCCA committee.

The McArthur Cup Rules

The McArthur Cup is the permanent property of the Sussex County Chess Association (SCCA) and is competed for annually among clubs in Sussex. The winning team shall hold the Cup for one year.
An entrance fee shall be paid by each competing team, comprising an amount determined by the SCCA (for 2022-23, the fee is £8).
Entries shall be sent to the Tournament Controller not later than 29th October.
The competition shall be played as a Knock-Out, unless there are 3 teams entered, in which case an all-play-all will apply. In general, the draw for each round will be made randomly by the Tournament Controller (TC), unless there are sufficient entries to introduce geographically split pairings (West and East zones).
Teams shall be of six players. Clubs may enter multiple teams, but players may only play for one team in any given season. Players should be bona fide club members (in the event of doubt over eligibility, clubs should refer in advance of the match to the TC for a ruling).
Teams shall play in order of strength, having regard to the latest ECF rating list.
The TC will determine the time-scales allowed for each round, with the aim of the final being played on or before 31st May in each year.
Team captains shall make arrangements for holding matches, within the time-scales determined by the TC. The home team captain shall within 10 days of receipt of the pairing, offer three dates, at least 14 days away and avoiding clashes with away club fixtures. One of these must be accepted by the away team captain within 7 days, otherwise the Tournament Controller shall have the right to default the offending team, subject to appeal to the SCCA committee. Failure to play on the agreed date shall likewise result in default, save in exceptional circumstances.
Matches may be played either at week-ends, where the home venue is available, or mid-week.
Board colours for each match are to be determined by toss of a coin.
Time controls: a. For week-end matches (assuming a 4.5 hour session is available): i. The default time control is 40 moves in 90 minutes, then 20 mins for each player until the end of the game, with an increment of 10 seconds from move one. ii. W here suitable digital clocks are not available, or with the agreement of both players, a time control of 35 moves in 105 mins, followed by a quick-play finish of 30 mins for each player may be used. b. For mid-week matches (assuming a 3.5 hour session is available): i. The default time control is 40 moves in 90 minutes, with an increment of 10 seconds from move one. ii. Where suitable digital clocks are not available, or with the agreement of both players, a time control of 35 moves in 75 mins, followed by a quick-play finish of 30 mins for each player may be used. c. Alterna tively, the Captains may by mutual agreement vary the time controls, provided that games remain eligible for Standard-Play grading. For example: i. Where a 3 hour session is only available for evening mid-week matches, a time control such as 30 moves in 60 mins, followed by 30 mins each quick play finish could be used, or 40 moves in 80 mins with a 10 sec increment from the start. ii. Where sufficient time is available for a week-end match, a 30 second increment could be used, such as 40 moves in 100 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, followed by the rest of the game in 50 minutes plus 30 seconds per move
In the event of a tied match, the result shall be determined by: a. B oard count b. Board elimination from the bottom board upwards c. The team with black on odds shall be the winner
The interpretation of these rules and the conduct of the competition including the resolution of any disputes shall be at the discretion of the TC, with any appeal of the TC’s decisions to be considered by the SCCA committee.

The Wilson Cup Rules

The Wilson Cup[Individual County Championship Trophy] is the permanent property of the Sussex County Chess Association (SCCA) and is competed for annually among competitors in Sussex. The winning player shall hold the Trophy for one year.
An entrance fee shall be paid by each entrant, comprising an amount determined by the SCCA (for 2022-23, the fee is £3.50).
The competition shall be played as a Knock-Out,
The TC will determine the time-scales allowed for each round, with the aim of the final being played on or before 31st July in each year. The final shall comprise a two game match[each player having one white and one black game]. If after the two games the scores are level, then if either player desires, a further two games shall be played[ each player having one white and one black game].. If the scores are still level then first place shall be shared.
Board colours for each match are to be determined by the Tournament Controller through random generation. If the first game is drawn the colours are reversed for the next and so on. The black player shall decide home venue. The white player is to be informed of the venue and rates of play.
Where a minimum four hour session is available the rates of play will be as follows. Forty moves in two hours with a subsequent twenty moves each hour. Adjournment after four hours is possible. If it is not possible to accommodate a four hour session then the following rates of play apply. Thirty-six moves in ninety minutes with a subsequent eighteen moves each Forty-five minutes. Here, there will be a minimum three hour playing session.
The interpretation of these rules and the conduct of the competition including the resolution of any disputes shall be at the discretion of the TC, with any appeal of the TC’s decisions to be considered by the SCCA committee.

Tournament Trophies

The Paul Watson Trophy

Winners of the Paul Watson Trophy.

2006-07 Lewes

2010-11 Lewes

2011-12 St Francis & Haywards Heath

2012-13 Horsham

2013-14 Lewes

2014-15 Lewes

2015-16 Woodpushers

2018-19 Bognor & Arun

2022-23 Lewes

The McArthur Cup Trophy

This tournament has a long history going back to 1889. The current holders are East Grinstead who won the tournament last season[2024].

The Wilson Cup

This trophy is awarded for the individual county championship. The current holder is Russell Granat.

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