Liverpool Englsh Rapidplay Congress now open for registrations

[Brian Towers]

It's a rational question. I don't have a FIDE rapidplay rating. My standard FIDE is 1954, standard ECF 176 and rapid ECF 183. Would anyone with that rating or a similar pattern be eligible to play in the under 180 section?

I'd guess from the wording on the website that ECF rapidplay grades have the highest priority in determining eligibility but it would be good to get confirmation of this (and to know whether it applies to all grade categories A-F as quite a few players have rapidplay grades based on only a few games).

Given that the last time Roger's rapid grading went below 180 was in 2008 and it has touched 217 in the interim I suspect he is struggling with this one.

BTW, Roger, my original question was prompted by admiration at the patience and skill you were demonstrating in trying to extract a particularly recalcitrant impacted molar. You may yet succeed but I suspect without reward.

[JamesGallagher]

As stated hierarchy is same as London classic:

FIDE quickplay
ECF quickplay (converted)
FIDE standard
ECF standard (converted)

Jim

[Gareth T Ellis]

What's happening regarding players without a FIN (FIDE Identification Number)?

[Eric Gardiner]

As stated hierarchy is same as London classic:

FIDE quickplay
ECF quickplay (converted)
FIDE standard
ECF standard (converted)

Jim

In that case, why does the page for the Event Details say "180 and below" for the Major rather than for example "FIDE rated 2050 and below" ?

[Alan Walton]

Why cannot all these questions be done privately to James

He is running a tournament for the first time (I believe this is the case), and it seems he is getting interrogated here with all this questions

No wonder volunteers in chess are dwindling if newcomers are exposed to all this

[Roger de Coverly]

Why cannot all these questions be done privately to James

The answers are of interest to all potential entrants and are matters that ought to be on the entry form and similar material. It is, after all, a national event. It's not so many years ago that the Blackpool Congress accepted an entry and then forced one of the winners to resort to the Small Claims Court to obtain his prize money. There was ambiguity in the organiser's policy towards acceptance of entrants with no current grade, but a previous one.

[Alan Walton]

All I am saying let James correlate these offline, rather than piece meal on the forum; I know any organiser won't satisfy your strict criteria Roger but let's just be sensible about all this and have a little faith that these queries will be cleared up

[E Michael White]

It probably helps James and saves time all round to post Qs and As on here.

[Eric Gardiner]

It probably helps James and saves time all round to post Qs and As on here.

Yes that was my main incentive for posting (plus also to show that Roger's questions were of interest to occasional forum posters as well as frequent forum posters).

[JamesGallagher]

I appreciate the support chaps but no problem with questions being posted on here if preferred.

So as stated the hierarchy is:

FIDE quickplay
ECF quickplay (converted)
FIDE standard
ECF standard (converted)

Categories:

Under 2050(FIDE)/180(ECF)
Under 1825(FIDE)/150(ECF)
Under 1600(FIDE)/120(ECF)

So, players with both a current FIDE and ECF grade, will use their FIDE rating to determine eligibility. A players most recent grade will always take precedence over an older grade, so a player with "current" ECF grade and old FIDE grade will use his ECF grade for the event.

Where players have no current/previous grade under any of the above they may enter any competition.

Players who do have a grade from another organisation should make contact via the website for clarification of their eligibility to take part in grade restricted events.
http://englishrapidplaychampionship.co.uk

This will be updated on the website in the next few days

Happy to answer any further questions

Regards
Jim

[Anthony Taglione]

I've not been graded since the late '70s and not played another human since the early '90s. I know I had a grade of 193 and think I had a grade of 223 but can't truly recall. Which sections would I be eligible to enter and win prizes in?

Would I need to join the ECF and/or Fide?

[Roger de Coverly]

Would I need to join the ECF and/or Fide?

You wouldn't need to join the ECF, but the entry fee is lower if you do. You will need to be given a FIDE Identification Number. This will be automatically allocated provided you want to be ENG. If you wanted a different chess "nationality", you would have to contact the Federation of choice before playing to find out if and how they would accept you.

[Michael Farthing]

I think you would need to joint the ECF to get a FIDE identification number with England.

[Brian Towers]

I've not been graded since the late '70s and not played another human since the early '90s. I know I had a grade of 193 and think I had a grade of 223 but can't truly recall. Which sections would I be eligible to enter and win prizes in?

From my reading of the conditions the key bits are -
"Open (to all players)"
"Major (180 and below)"
"Intermediate (150 and below)"
"Standard (120 and below)"

Regardless of what your grading was in the past if you don't currently have a grading then it cannot be "below" some level because it is non-existent. So, that rules out major, intermediate and standard. Fortunately the Open is open to all players and you can enter that.

[Anthony Taglione]

Thanks for the replies but I was motivated to post by the part, "Where players have no current/previous grade under any of the above they may enter any competition.". Now, I know I had a grade back in the '70s but I'd defy anyone to find it.

It seems harsh to force me into the Open section after a near 40-year absence but I can also see that it might be viewed as unfair for me to be allowed to enter any lesser section.

It's clear that I ought to join the ECF if I'm going to start playing again.