Welsh Correspondence Chess Federation

Rydym yn Ffrindiau - Amici Sumus

Preliminaries of the 49th World Correspondence Chess Championship

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. winners of ICCF World Tournaments - Master class.
  5. 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.)
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. those players, who are entered through their own national organisation and at the time of nomination have ratings less than 2400 (fixed or unfixed).
  9. the holders of the International Master Title with a rating above 2300. (*)
  10. the holders of the Senior International Master Title with a rating above 2250. (*)
  11. the holders of the Grandmaster Title.
  12. 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:

810160Claridge, John B.2019 1.1.1.b from WCCC43SF07
810286Robinson, Josh2022 1.1.1.c from WCCC46PR13
810286Robinson, Josh2023 1.1.1.c from WCCC47PR04
810161Sherwood, Russell2021 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.

IM and SIM Norms for Marc Wakeham

Austin Lockwood  Monday, January 6, 2025

Congratulations to Marc for scoring his first IM and SIM norms in WCCC48SF 4!

Correspondence Chess Master Title for Philip Morgan

Austin Lockwood  Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Congratulations Philip!... norms earned in Rudolf Kolesnikov Team Tournament SF1 and WCCF 14th Invitational - a nice early Christmas present!

Premium Membership

Austin Lockwood  Thursday, December 19, 2024

A reminder that Premium Membership for 2025 is currently open for all Welsh flagged players.

As a Premium Member you would be making a valuable contribution to the work of WCCF, and have a voice in our management.  Premium Members have priority for selection and nominations for invitationals.

To subscribe, log onto the website (using your ICCF ID and password); dropdown the menu where your name appears in the top right hand corner, and select "My Membership" - you should be able to use PayPal from there and your membership status should update within a few minutes.

Thanks!

2024 WCCF Annual General Meeting

Austin Lockwood  Saturday, November 23, 2024

The 2024 WCCF Annual General Meeting will take place online on Sunday 8th December at 10:30am.

No agenda items have been submitted, so the only matter of business for the AGM will be to elect the Executive Committee for 2025.

The following candidates have accepted nominations:

  • President: Paul Scott
  • General Secretary: Austin Lockwood
  • International Secretary: Austin Lockwood

As there is only one nomination for each position, just one vote is sufficient for each candidate to be elected; the new Executive Committee will co-opt a treasurer.

Premium Members not able to attend the meeting may submit their votes to the General Secretary ([email protected]) by email.

The Zoom link for the AGM will be circulated to Premium Members in advance of the meeting.  National and International members wishing to observe the meeting may contact the General Secretary for the link.

SIM Norm for Paul Keevil

Austin Lockwood  Thursday, November 21, 2024

To continue a very successful week for Welsh norms, Paul Keevil has achieved an SIM Norm in the 2024 Champions League B3, Board Two.

SIM and IM norms and IM title for Russell Sherwood

Austin Lockwood  Sunday, November 3, 2024

Congratulations Russell for achieving IM and SIM norms in Dobri Semov Memorial Elo 2400-2499

Well deserved!

UPDATE!

Russell has now achieved enough norms for the IM title by achieving a second IM norm in the US Invitational 2024/C.  The title will be awarded when confirmed by the Qualifications Commissioner.  Well played Russell!

Updated Thursday, November 21, 2024 by Austin Lockwood

SIM Norm for Helen Sherwood

Austin Lockwood  Thursday, November 21, 2024

Congratulations Helen for achieving a SIM norm in the 16th WCCF Invitational!

AGM delayed

Russell Sherwood  Friday, November 1, 2024

Due to an error in the date, the AGM will be delayed. a new date will be announced.

Im Norm for Glyn Sinnett

Russell Sherwood  Friday, November 1, 2024

Congratulations to Glyn on picking up an IM Norm in Champions League 2024 B3 Board 3

ICCFIMNormWCCF

Quote of the Day

As proved by evidence, [chess is] more lasting in its being and presence than all books and achievements; the only game that belongs to all people and all ages; of which none knows the divinity that bestowed it on the world, to slay boredom, to sharpen the senses, to exhilarate the spirit.

Stefan Zweig

ICCF

Welsh Chess Union

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