07 July 2010

Agenda for the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 24 May 2006 at 7.30pm in the Winston Theatre, Students' Union, Queen's Road, Clifton, Bristol

1. Opening Remarks

2. Apologies for Absence

3. Minutes of previous AGM and Matters Arising

4. Reports from Officers

5. Resolution adopting Reports and Accounts

6. Presentation of Trophies and Certificates

7. Election of Officers

·            President

The LMC nominates Nigel Pollett, the current Vice-President

·            Chairman

The LMC nominates Graham Mill-Wilson

·            General Secretary

The LMC nominates John Paines

·            Match Secretary

The LMC nominates Dave Tipper for re-election

·            Treasurer

The LMC will make a nomination

·            ChessTimes Editor

The LMC nominates David Collier for re-election

·            Adjudication Secretary

The LMC nominates Gerald Mobbs for re-election

·            Congress Secretary

The LMC nominates Graham Mill-Wilson for re-election

·            Grand Prix Secretary

The LMC nominates Geoff Gammon

·            Junior Organiser

See Motion A

·            Recruitment and Publicity Officer

The LMC nominates Peter Saunders for re-election

·            Tournament Organiser

The University of Bristol Chess Club will be asked to nominate a candidate

·            Vice-President

The LMC nominates Gerald Mobbs

·            ECF Representative

The LMC nominates John Paines for re-election

·            4NCL Team Manager

The LMC nominates David Buckley

·            Webmaster

The LMC nominates Dave Tipper for re-election

·            Auditor

The current Auditor is Martyn Sellars

8. Election of Life Vice-Presidents        

The LMC will make a nomination

9. Bristol Chess Educational Trust

·            Trustees' Report

·            Donation from the League

10. Renewal of membership of the Friends of Chess

11. LMC Motions (see below)

12. Members' Motions (see below)

13. Any Other Business

LMC MOTIONS

The following motions are proposed by the League Management Committee. Motions A to D are proposed rule changes, and require a majority of two-thirds of those voting. Motion E requires a simple majority of those voting. Amendments may be taken from the floor. The current League Rules are printed in the back of the fixture book.

Motion A. Management

It is proposed that the following changes be made to Rule 2:

Delete Rule 2.1 and insert the following in its place:

“2.1 Organisation of the League Management Committee 

a. The LMC shall consist of the following League Officers: President, Vice-President, Chairman, General Secretary, Match Secretary, Treasurer, Adjudication Secretary, ChessTimes Editor, Congress Secretary, ECF Representative, Grand Prix Secretary, Recruitment and Publicity Officer, Tournament Organiser, Webmaster, 4NCL Team Manager (“the LMC posts”).

b. No person may hold more than one of the following LMC posts at the same time: President, Vice-President, Chairman, General Secretary, Match Secretary, Treasurer.

c. The LMC may from time to time appoint or terminate the appointment of a Trophy Secretary, a Minutes Secretary, and/or such other League Officers (excluding the LMC posts and the Auditor) as it sees fit.

d. Meetings of the LMC shall normally be organised by the General Secretary. As well as the other LMC members, he shall invite to any meeting any League Officer or other person who shall be able to assist the workings of the LMC, or who has reasonable cause to be represented before the LMC. Any such person shall have speaking rights but not voting rights at the meeting.

e. Five members of the LMC shall form a quorum for a meeting of the LMC. The Chairman, or in his absence the President, shall preside.”

Insert new Rule 2.2.d:

“The LMC may at any time act to fill any LMC post which has become vacant for any reason.”

In Rule 2.6 delete the final bullet point and insert the following bullet point in its place:

“there will be an election for the post of Auditor. No person may hold this post at the same time as he holds an LMC post.”

[Explanation: The LMC is proposing these rule changes since we feel that the current structure provided for by the rules – a “small LMC” of six members with a larger, subsidiary group of officers – is neither good for the League nor a reflection of current practice. The LMC and officers conduct themselves as a democratic unit, and the distinction between “small LMC” and “full LMC” meetings was abandoned some years ago. With most officers on e-mail there is seldom a need – as there may have been in the past – for a small number of officers to take executive action without consulting the others.

The proposed rule changes would have the following specific effects:

·       There would still be six posts regarding which no person may hold more than one at the same time, but ChessTimes Editor would be removed from the list and Vice-President added to it.

·       There would be express provision for the appointment and termination of office of ad hoc non‑voting officers such as Minutes Secretary and Trophy Secretary. This would reflect current practice.

·       There would be express provision for the LMC to fill a vacant post. This would reflect current practice.

·       The quorum for LMC meetings would be raised from three to five.

·       We feel that with the Junior League no longer in operation, the post of Junior Organiser has become redundant. The function of encouraging junior chess would be absorbed within the role of Recruitment and Publicity Officer.]

Motion B. Time Control in Divisions 2 and below and Knock-Outs

It is proposed that the following changes be made to the League Rules:

Delete Rules 6.4.c to 6.4.g and insert the following in their place as Rules 6.4.c to 6.4.f:

“c. The standard rates of play shall be as follows: In division 1 the rate of play shall be 36 moves in 1½ hours followed by 24 moves in every hour. In divisions 2, 3 and 4 all moves shall be completed in 1½ hours and quickplay finishes (Rule 5) shall apply. In all other divisions all moves shall be completed in 1¼ hours and quickplay finishes shall apply

d. Players on any single board may agree before the start of the game to use the alternative rate of play applicable to that division. Games played using the alternative rates of play shall be designated as such on the team scoresheet before the start of the match by a means specified to clubs by the Match Secretary. In division 1 the alternative rate of play shall be 35 moves in 1¼ hours, followed by the rest of the game in ¼ hour with a quickplay finish applying. The alternative rate of play in divisions 2, 3 and 4 shall be 42 moves in 1½ hours followed by 6 moves every ¼ hour. In all other divisions the alternative rate of play shall be 37 moves in 1¼ hours followed by 6 moves every ¼ hour.

e. If at the start of the match only one player is present on a particular board, then that player shall have the right to nominate the rate of play for that board, being either the standard rate of play applicable to the division as specified in Rule 6.4.c or the alternative rate of play applicable to the division as specified in Rule 6.4.d. If at the start of the game neither player is present on a particular board then Rule 6.4.c shall apply.

f. In division 1 only, where a game is played using the standard rate of play, after Black has made his last move before the first time control, a player who did not request the alternative rate of play at the start of the game may propose that the game be completed, and if both players agree the game shall be completed using the time remaining on the clocks.”

Delete Rule 6.5 and insert the following in its place:

“6.5 Unfinished Games

In division 1, where a game is played using the standard rate of play, either player may choose to continue any unfinished game instead of adjudication. In all other divisions, where a game is played using the alternative rate of play, either player may elect for any unfinished game to be adjudicated, or the players may mutually agree to continue the game at a venue of their choice.”    

Delete Rule 7.4 and insert the following in its place:

“7.4  Playing Sessions and Rates Of Play

These are as for matches using the alternative rate of play (Rule 6.4.d) in division 1 of the Team Championships. Rule 6.4.e shall not apply.”

Delete Rule 8.4 and insert the following in its place:

“8.4  Playing Sessions and Rates Of Play

These are as for matches using the standard rate of play (Rule 6.4.c) in division 2 of the Team Championships. Rules 6.4.d and 6.4.e shall not apply.”

[Explanation: The LMC is proposing these rule changes as a result of comments received and discussions at previous AGMs regarding the time control in League matches. The effect of the proposals is that in Divisions 2 and below, and in the Knock-Out competitions, there would be a single time control of 90 minutes, with all moves to be played in that time. All games would be played with quickplay finishes. Members should be aware that under the Laws of Chess it is not possible to “fiddle” a win on time without attempting to win by normal means. The provision has been included for both players on a particular board to agree to use the current standard (non‑quickplay) rate of play for that Division rather than the new rate, and in those circumstances the current arrangements for resolving unfinished games (adjudications/continuations) would apply.]

Motion C. Time Control in Division 1

N.B. THIS MOTION WILL BE WITHDRAWN BY THE LMC IF MOTION B IS NOT PASSED

It is proposed that the following changes be made to the League Rules:

Delete Rules 6.4.c and 6.4.d as previously agreed at the 2006 AGM and insert the following in their place:

“c. The standard rates of play shall be as follows: In division 1, 2, 3 and 4 all moves shall be completed in 1½ hours and quickplay finishes (Rule 5) shall apply. In all other divisions all moves shall be completed in 1¼ hours and quickplay finishes shall apply

d. Players on any single board may agree before the start of the game to use the alternative rate of play applicable to that division. Games played using the alternative rates of play shall be designated as such on the team scoresheet before the start of the match by a means specified to clubs by the Match Secretary. In division 1 the alternative rate of play shall be 36 moves in 1½ hours followed by 24 moves in every hour. The alternative rate of play in divisions 2, 3 and 4 shall be 42 moves in 1½ hours followed by 6 moves every ¼ hour. In all other divisions the alternative rate of play shall be 37 moves in 1¼ hours followed by 6 moves every ¼ hour.”

Delete Rule 6.4.f as previously agreed at the 2006 AGM

Delete Rule 6.5 as previously agreed at the 2006 AGM and insert the following in its place:

“6.5 Unfinished Games

In division 1, where a game is played using the alternative rate of play, either player may choose to continue any unfinished game instead of adjudication. In all other divisions, where a game is played using the alternative rate of play, either player may elect for any unfinished game to be adjudicated, or the players may mutually agree to continue the game at a venue of their choice.”    

Delete Rule 7.4 as previously agreed at the 2006 AGM and insert the following in its place:

“7.4 Playing Sessions and Rates Of Play

These are as for matches using the standard rate of play (Rule 6.4.c) in division 1 of the Team Championships. Rules 6.4.d and 6.4.e shall not apply.”

[Explanation: If Motion B is passed this motion gives the AGM the opportunity to extend its provisions to Division 1. The provision for both players on a particular board to agree to use the current standard (non‑quickplay) rate of play has again been included, and in those circumstances the current arrangements for resolving unfinished games (continuations/adjudications) would still apply.]

Motion D. Rules of Play

It is proposed that the following change be made to Rule 3:

Add new Rule 3.2.c:

“c. All team competitions shall be played without an arbiter. Team captains shall not be considered to be acting as arbiters.”

[Explanation: There are practical implications to the issue of whether or not team captains are considered to be acting as arbiters. For example, under the FIDE Laws of Chess an arbiter may point out that a flag has fallen but another player may not. We consider that this proposed new rule clarifies the situation.]

Motion E. New Four-Board League Competition

The LMC seeks approval to initiate a new stand-alone league competition, standing aside from the Team Championships, with four players to a team, all moves by a player to be made in one hour, and a limit placed on team strength. Specific conditions of play would be determined by the LMC in due course.

[Explanation: The purpose of the proposed new competition would be to encourage junior chess and new players.]

MEMBERS’ MOTIONS

The following motions are proposed by members of the League. They are proposed rule changes, and require a majority of two-thirds of those voting. Amendments may be taken from the floor. The current League Rules are printed in the back of the fixture book.

Motion F. English Chess Federation

Proposer: John Paines, AXA
Seconder: David Buckley, Bath

It is proposed that the following changes be made to the Rules:

Replace all instances of the term  “BCF” in the Rules with the term “ECF”.

[Explanation: The British Chess Federation (BCF) has changed its name to the English Chess Federation (ECF).]

Motion G. Voting at General Meetings

Proposer: E M White, South Bristol
Seconder: Robert Radford, South Bristol
It is proposed that the following change be made to Rule 2:

Add new Rule 2.7:

“2.7 Voting at General Meetings

At any General Meeting including the AGM, any member present may at any time before or during a vote on a Motion, where the Motion affects the playing conditions, rules, format, eligibility or any other aspect of a chess match, request that a separate vote be taken for that Motion for each division and/or competition, or for specific divisions and/or competitions. If such a request is made, a separate vote shall be taken.”

Motion H. Team Championships - Format

Proposer: E M White, South Bristol
Seconder: Chris Jones, Thornbury
It is proposed that the following changes be made to Rule 6:

In Rule 6.1.d, replace the first word with the words "In division 3 and above, each".
 

Relabel Rules 6.1.e and 6.1.f as 6.1.f and 6.1g respectively.

Insert new Rule 6.1.e as follows: 

“e. In division 4 and below, Rule 6.1.d shall normally apply but a team captain may elect to play any or all fixtures over either 5 or 4 boards, the lower preference of the two captains prevailing in each fixture. The opposing captain must be given at least 96 hours (4 full days' notice) of the intention to reduce the match to either 5 or 4 boards and the Match Secretary must be informed by e-mail at the same time. Initially the unplayed boards 6 (or 6 and 5) shall be shown as draws on the result sheet but in the event of total game scores being involved in a tie-break, the Match Secretary shall make a pro rata score adjustment, multiplying both played scores by 1.5 or 1.2 as appropriate.”

Motion I. Team Championships – Eligibility of Players

Proposer: E M White, South Bristol
Seconder: David Woodruff, Keynsham
It is proposed that the following changes be made to Rule 6:

Relabel Rule 6.3.h as 6.3.i.
 
Insert new Rule 6.3.h as follows:
 
”h. Where a club has two teams in non-adjacent divisions, e.g. teams in division 2 and division 4, the two players registered lowest for a team (boards 5 and 6) may play for the next more junior team. Rule 6.3.g shall not apply to restrict these members from playing for a less senior team, but may permit further members to play for a less senior team.”

Motion J. Game Fee – Defaulted Games

Proposer: E M White, South Bristol
Seconder: Roger Hardy, Grendel
It is proposed that the following change be made to Rule 10:

Delete Rule 10.4.b.

Motion K. Adherence to FIDE Laws of Chess

Proposer: E M White, South Bristol
Seconder: John Paines, AXA

It is proposed that the following changes be made to the Rules:

Delete the whole of Rule 3.2 and insert the following in its place:

“3.2 Rules of Play

a. All games shall be played in accordance with the latest Laws of Chess published by FIDE (currently July 2005). A link to the Laws shall be provided on the League website. 

b. All team competitions shall be played without an arbiter. Team captains shall not be considered to be acting as arbiters.

c. Games requiring all moves to be completed in 60 minutes or less shall be subject to the FIDE Laws of Rapidplay. Games requiring all moves to be completed in 61 minutes or more shall be subject to the standard FIDE Laws.

d. For the following infringements in (i) to (v) at any time during the game the opponent of the offending player may claim an extra two minutes to compensate for distraction and time lost. The opponent making such a claim should adjust his own clock or ask his team captain to do so after the stated action has been taken. In (i), (ii) and (iv) there is no penalty if the opponent’s clock was not restarted.

(i) If in the process of making a move a player displaces or knocks over pieces and presses the clock before replacing the pieces, either player should restart the clock of the offending player, who must then replace the pieces in his own time before restarting his opponent’s clock. The time adjustment may then be claimed.

(ii) If a player moves a pawn to the eighth rank and starts his opponent’s clock before exchanging the pawn for another piece, either player should restart the clock of the offending player who must then replace the pawn in his own time. The time adjustment may then be claimed. See also Rule 3.2.f.

(iii) If a player adjusts a piece while his opponent’s clock is running, whether with advance warning or not, the time adjustment may be claimed after drawing the offending player’s notice to the irregularity.

(iv) If a player moves a piece to a square overlapping another square his opponent may treat this as a displaced piece as in (i) above.

(v) If a player accidentally dislodges pieces (by, for example, kicking the table) while his opponent’s clock is running, this shall be treated as a piece displacement as in (i) above.

e. After a total of three offences by the same player under Rule 3.2.d, whether or not the time adjustment is claimed, the game shall be lost by the offending player.

f. If a player wishes to promote a pawn and the piece (e.g. a second queen) is not immediately available, he may stop the clock and inform his opponent that he needs to look for another piece or write down the move that he intends to play. When he has reseated himself and has the piece in his hand, his clock may be restarted by either player. Pieces off the board are not subject under the Laws of Chess to the touch-move rule.

g. To claim a win on time a player must show that his own flag has not fallen.

h. Mobile phones, even when switched off, are not allowed in the playing venue as defined by the Laws of Chess. The playing venue as defined in the Laws is larger than the playing area.

i. The LMC may make additional match bylaws which shall be circulated by the Match Secretary and/or made available on the League website.”

Delete the whole of Rule 5 and insert the following in its place:

“5. QUICKPLAY FINISHES

5.1 Rules of Play

Quickplay finishes shall be played without an arbiter and shall be subject to the latest FIDE Laws of Chess, particularly those Laws which refer specifically to games played with quickplay finishes.

5.2 Claiming a Draw

Draw claims under FIDE Law D1 shall be submitted to the Match Secretary who shall where necessary consult an arbiter or League Adjudicator. Any unresolved claims shall be dealt with by the LMC, whose decision, having regard to the opinions of the arbiter or Adjudicator, shall be final. If at any stage the draw claim is withdrawn or rejected, the claimant shall lose the game; if the claim is rejected, the claimant’s club shall also be fined £3.”

[The current FIDE Laws of Chess can be found at http://www.englishchess.org.uk/organisation/fide/lawsofchess2005.htm ]