Welsh Correspondence Chess Federation

Russell Sherwood  Thursday, June 20, 2024

The States and Regions Correspondence Chess Championship is a biennial team event organized by the Welsh Correspondence Chess Federation (WCCF) and open to representative teams from any country of the world. 

Teams must represent a subdivision of a country; this could be a state, county, province, territory, etc. Eligibility to play for each team is determined by the team captain, however, the WCCF Executive Committee retain the right to reject any individual or team entry. Multiple teams (for example “A” and “B” teams) may be entered from the same state or region.

Entries at now accepted at ICCF.com – New Events/Wales

Structure

Teams will consist of four players; each player will play one game against each of the other players on the same board.

There will be one or more divisions, each division will consist of thirteen to fifteen teams. Allocation to the first division will be:

• The first six placed teams from Division One, Season three
• The first two placed teams from Division Two, Season Three (Promoted)
• Any vacancies will be filled strictly by rating order

The winning team of Division One will be declared the S&RCCC Champion, and the winning team and first runner-up of the lower divisions will be promoted to the next division.

New teams will normally enter at the lowest division, except by agreement of the WCCF Executive Committee. Teams including fewer than three players from the previous season will be considered as new teams.

Rules

All relevant ICCF rules and procedures for international team events current at the start of the tournament will apply.  Team captains are strongly encouraged to arrange boards by rating order and WCCF reserve the right to enforce rating order to correct a detrimental effect on norm availability.  The same player may not represent more than one team in the event or occupy more than one board for the same team.

As the S&RCCC is an ICCF approved tournament, title norms may be available depending on the rating level of each board.

Time Control

The Triple Block time control of 50 days initial time, 50 days bank, and 5 days added for each of the first fifty moves will be used with Guaranteed Time applying after Move 50. 

Entry

The States and Regions Correspondence Chess Championship had been approved by ICCF as an Open tournament; international teams may enter by contacting the organisers directly.

The entry fee for each team is 20.00 Euro Direct Entry. Entry may be made via the ICCF Website only – for teams who wish to enter via their National Federation, contact should be made with them to confirm the necessary payment.

Entries will close on 3rd August 2024; games will commence shortly afterwards.

There are no prizes, however, certificates will be awarded to members of the winning team of each division, and free entry will be offered to the winning team of the first division for the following season.

Qualifications

Division 1

Cardiff A

Bohemia

Windy City

Cardiff B

Quattro Tori Lazio

Donbas

Subcarpathian - Rymanów Cit

Western Ukraine

Division 2

Philippines North

Westhoughton Schemers

Division 3

Volga Moscow

Salzberg 2

Russell Sherwood  Wednesday, June 19, 2024

ICCF is currently having issues with its mailing system.

Several events have been advertised recently which may be of interest to Welsh players.

In addition a mailing was sent to qualified Welsh players with regard to the North Atlantic Team Tournament, a response would be appreciated from those who have already not done so.

Keep an eye our for announcements regarding the British Championships and States and Regions Team tournaments coming soon.

Russell Sherwood  Sunday, June 2, 2024

After some less-than-fun issues to deal with , this event should be underway in the next few days, followed by the start of the process for others

Russell Sherwood  Sunday, June 2, 2024

As we move towards the ICCF Congress 2024, we are calling for any proposals members wish to submit for the review of the WCCF

Any suggestions should be sent to Russell Sherwood

Russell Sherwood  Sunday, April 14, 2024

We have a friendly match planned v the Netherlands, starting late July.

They can match most ratings closely, so we want to field a large team.

If you are interested in taking part, please get in in touch. It may be able to play two boards (4 games total) - if you would like to do this let me know.

Players are reminded that friendly participation is considered in selection criteria for other events. We are particularly interested in players above 2350 taking part.

Russell Sherwood

Russell Sherwood  Sunday, April 14, 2024

We are looking for a non-playing Captain for the 2nd Rudolf Kolesnikov Memorial Team Tournament Team.

The ideal candidate should be rated 2350+, a premium member  and able to work well with a team.

If you are interested, get in touch 

Austin Lockwood  Thursday, April 4, 2024

This tournament is now completed!

We have known for some time that the Gold in this prestigious event has been won by Wales, and the medals will be presented to the team at our Congress in Llandudno later this year; however we can now confirm the Silver (Austria) and Bronze (Slovenia) medal places.

Following the final result yesterday, we can also now confirm that John Claridge has won Board Three outright for Wales.

Well played John!

Austin Lockwood  Saturday, March 30, 2024

Players from Wales, England, or further afield, earning an ICCF title (GM, SIM, IM, CCM, CCE or a tournament award) between 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024 are cordially invited by the Welsh Correspondence Chess Federation to receive their awards personally from the ICCF President at the ICCF awards ceremony, which traditionally takes place on the first day of the annual ICCF Congress.

The 2024 Awards Ceremony will take place at the Imperial Hotel, Llandudno, on the morning of Monday 12th August.  WCCF can arrange overnight accommodation at the Imperial Hotel (please see the online registration form); alternatively, there are several guest houses and B&Bs within easy walking distance.

Players staying overnight in Llandudno, and their partners, are also cordially invited by WCCF to the Welcome Party, buffet meal, and complimentary drinks, also at the Imperial Hotel on the previous evening (depending on numbers, there may be a small charge for players who are not WCCF members - this will be advertised in advance).

Players wishing to attend the Welcome Party and/or the Awards Ceremony MUST register their attendance online before 12th July 2024; any player arriving without having registered will not be awarded with a medal and will not be permitted to enter the Welcome Party.

The full ICCF Congress programme is available here.

Austin Lockwood  Saturday, March 30, 2024

Congratulations to "SchemingMind A" for winning the first division, and to "BCCA Strategists" for winning the second division.

(One game still remains in the second division, but it is not decisive.)

Unfortunately correspondence chess clubs in the United Kingdom have declined dramatically in recent years, culminating in the tragic collapse last year of one of the oldest CC clubs in the world, the British Correspondence Chess Association (BCCA).  A tournament for "clubs" or "member organisations" no longer reflects the reality of the way that British CC is organised in 2024, so this will be the final edition of the BWSTT.

WCCF will continue to offer alternative innovative events for Welsh, British, and International players in the future.

Austin Lockwood  Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Welsh Correspondence Chess Federation will be hosting our third international ICCF Congress in Llandudno from 11-15th August 2024.

As part of our programme, we will be running two over the board chess events, a blitz tournament, and a chess match against international correspondence chess players from ICCF.

All over the board players from North Wales and Chester are heartily invited to participate in either or both of these events; entry to both is free.  Please see the attached flier for further details.

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