How does 4NCL work then?

[David Blower]

Please explain - in layman's terms. Thanks in advance for this.

[Roger de Coverly]

Please explain - in layman's terms.

Context? Are you thinking financial, sporting, social, governance?

[Michael Flatt]

Please explain - in layman's terms. Thanks in advance for this.

This information you seek is most likely available on the 4NCL website: http://www.4ncl.co.uk/

Select from menus on the left: People at 4NCL, Rules & Guidelines, Dates & Venues, Captains Guide, etc, etc.
There is even a FAQ under the More Information tab.

[Mike Truran]

Some of the material is a little out of date here and there on the more obscure pages (note to self ......), but in general the website gives a pretty good idea of how things work.

As regards constitution, we are a company limited by guarantee (and have been since 2004).

[David Blower]

My main question is about money and the fact that it is a "professional chess league."

I would have thought this would mean that chess professionals only play in the league (as opposed to me (ECF grading of 109) who has to earn a living doing what you may call a normal job.)

How much money do players get paid? Is it dependant on the club you play for, and does it depend entirely on results?

[IM Jack Rudd]

You're unlikely to find many professional players anywhere except Division One, and most clubs are pretty much strictly amateur. Those clubs which do pay their players probably do so on a case-by-case basis.

[Roger de Coverly]

I would have thought this would mean that chess professionals only play in the league

There are some teams where players are paid to play, others that run on an amateur basis with players paying their own expenses. The majority of teams are amateur as you would expect. Female players can command a premium because of the first division rule that a team has to comprise at least one male and one female player. In the second division, you can field an under eighteen player instead.

So there is no bar on a team of 109 players entering, provided they can finance their own entry fees, travel and accommodation.

[Mike Truran]

So there is no bar on a team of 109 players entering

Except of course the one which limits Div 3 teams to six players.

[Neil Graham]

The fact that Brewood is about twenty minutes drive from Telford (Venue 2015/16) might have something to do with this post!

[MartinCarpenter]

They'd surely just enter as a dozen 6 man teams in one massive squad Only a little over twice the size of e2e4 etc....

The main reason it works so well is that there are essentially no restrictions at all on who can play for which team. A bit shocking how hard this basic idea seemed to be to work out Very sensibly run otherwise too.

[Roger de Coverly]

The main reason it works so well is that there are essentially no restrictions at all on who can play for which team.

There is one restriction though, only one team per season. In the very earliest days of the league it was possible for floating players to play for a different squad some weekends. A football style loan system could ease the problems for managers and captains facing a shortfall of players for just the one weekend.

[Mike Truran]

The rules and guidelines (which can be found on the link on the left hand side of the 4NCL website) give a pretty good idea of what's involved in entering a team.