News from 2023-24 for Central London League Chess

CLL Rules 2023/24

CLL Rules

It is intended that the League should offer competitive, but amateur and 
friendly, chess for players of all standards.  The Laws of Chess apply. 

All matches must be played within Zone 1 of the London Underground, as 
defined in 2022. 

The season is scheduled to run from early September to the end of May. 

All games finish on the night.  There are no adjudications or 
adjournments.

As from the 2022/23 season, the league has four divisions.  All are 
played on a double round all-play-all basis, with the full schedule 
confirmed by the League every August.  Divisions 1 is set at eight 
teams, lower divisions have six or seven teams.  These numbers may 
change.

The League is open, any team may apply to join although space is 
limited.  Applications for any season should be made by the end of May. 

There is no rating limit on individual players but teams must not exceed 
an average rating of 2240 in any match. 

The anticipated strengths of teams for the 2022/23 season in the four 
divisions was set out in an email sent to all captains.  These 
guidelines were announced as subject to future review.

Each team consists of 5 players in Divisions 1, 2 and 3, and 4 players 
in Division 4.
 
Players may play for only one club in the League and for only one team 
in a particular division. There shall be no more than two teams from the 
same club in any division.
 
Some teams operate from secure premises. They will need a list of 
visiting players at least two days before the match. In the interest of 
fairness, they will send their own team list in return. Visitors may be 
asked for ID on arrival at the venue.
 
The team winning the toss chooses colour on odd boards.  A team whose 
captain or representative, with a full team list, has not arrived five 
minutes before the starting time is deemed to have lost the toss.
 
Matches start at 6.30pm. Teams using their own premises for home matches 
may request a different stating time.
 
Absent players will be defaulted at 7.15pm.
 
The time control will be a Fischer time control of all moves in 75 
minutes plus 15 seconds a move.
 
All electronic devices must be silenced or turned off for the duration 
of the playing session. If a player's device does make a sound during 
play, they will be required to turn it off. If it happens again, they 
will lose the game by default.
 
Each captain will submit the match results promptly via the CLL website, 
showing the names, grades and result on each board.
 
All games will be submitted for ECF rating.

For games played by non ECF members, the ECF is likely to levy a charge 
on the league. Any such charges will be passed on to the club concerned, 
who will be responsible for ensuring the league is reimbursed promptly.
 
The Treasurer will request payment for matches played at Pimlico at two 
stages over the year - usually around the middle and then towards the 
end of the season. Any questions about invoicing should be put direct to 
the Treasurer ([email protected])

The rental costs will be recovered in two instalments, the first to be 
paid by the end of November and the second by the end of February.

Any disputes will be resolved by the league administrator FIDE Arbiter 
Nick Faulks, who may request advice from within the League or elsewhere.

Any enquiries should be addressed to [email protected]