Austin Lockwood Thursday, January 9, 2025
Players may now enter the Preliminaries of the 49th World Correspondence Chess Championship starting on March 20th 2025; the closing date for entries is February 9th 2025.
To qualify, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- the participants in one of the previous or running Candidates' Tournaments who have scored at least 40% of the possible points if they have not earned a higher qualification.
- the participants in one of the previous or running Semi-Finals who scored at least 50% of the possible points, if they have not earned a higher qualification.
- participants in one of the previous or running Preliminary sections who finished in place 3 or 4 or scored at least 60% of possible points but did not qualify for a WCCC Semi-Final.
- winners of ICCF World Tournaments - Master class.
- the participants in one of the previous or running ICCF World Cup Finals who scored at least 50% of the possible points. (This does not include the ICCF Veterans World Cup, Chess 960 World Cup, or World Team Cup Tournaments.)
- the participants in one of the previous or running acknowledged Zonal Championships of tournament average rating at 2451 or higher who scored at least 50% of the possible points.
- participants in acknowledged Zonal Championships of tournament average rating at 2450 or below who finished in place 3 or 4 or scored at least 60% of possible points.
- those players, who are entered through their own national organisation and at the time of nomination have ratings less than 2400 (fixed or unfixed).
- the holders of the International Master Title with a rating above 2300. (*)
- the holders of the Senior International Master Title with a rating above 2250. (*)
- the holders of the Grandmaster Title.
- any player with a rating of 2500 and above.
(*) Ratings used in these rules refer to any of those rating lists published in the preceding 12-months
The following Welsh players have prior qualifications:
810160 | Claridge, John B. | 2019 1.1.1.b from WCCC43SF07 |
810286 | Robinson, Josh | 2022 1.1.1.c from WCCC46PR13 |
810286 | Robinson, Josh | 2023 1.1.1.c from WCCC47PR04 |
810161 | Sherwood, Russell | 2021 1.1.1.b from WCCC45SF05 |
In addition to the above three players, and players who qualify on titles and rating, WCCF are entitled to nominate up to three players rated under 2,400. If you are a Premium Member and wish to be considered for one of those nominations, please contact me at [email protected]
Any other player with a rating under 2,400 may request an entry, the highest-rated players will be accepted only to fill a section if the number of entries won’t be a multiple or 13, 15, or 17.
You can enter via the ICCF website (New Events>WCCC49PR), please contact Russell for the current fees and payment arrangement if you wish to enter via WCCF, or simply enter directly though the ICCF Direct Entry system.
Please let me know if you have any questions.