Grand Prix Rules

Grand Prix Series – Rules 2017-18

There are 6 tournaments that make up an annual Sussex Junior Chess Grand Prix (GP), similar to the one in motor racing.

Results in each of the constituent GP tournaments earn points towards the overall GP. These points are accumulated for all eligible participants.

The Grand Prix tournaments for the 2017-18 season are as follows:

The 6 grand prix tournaments for 2017-2018 are:

GP1 Crowborough Saturday 16th September 2017

GP2 Worth Saturday 14th October 2017

GP3 Horsham Sunday 12th November 2017

GP4 Hastings Saturday 6th January 2018

GP5 Eastbourne Saturday 3rd February 2018

GP6 Worthing Saturday 19th May 2018

 

GP Eligibility

Any player aged under 18 on 31st August 2017 is eligible to enter. You do not need to be resident in, or at school in Sussex.

To enter the Under 11 sections a player must have been aged under 11 on 31st August 2017 – usually school year 6 and below.

 

Playing Sections and Rules for Promotion through Sections

If after reading the notes below you are unsure which section to enter please contact us for advice.

All GPs EXCEPT GP2

Players compete in one of 4 sections – Under 11 Minor, U11 Major, U18 Minor, U18 Major.

The Under 11 Minor is a developmental section where very young players or those new to competitive chess may gain experience. Players who are placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in this section will be promoted to the Under 11 Major section in subsequent events.

Players selected for the County Under 9 and Under 11 squads will be expected to enter the Under 11 Major. Those aspiring to selection should seek advice regarding their individual situation, but it is likely that they should be entering the Under 11 Major after GP3.

The winner of the Under 11 Major section will be promoted to the Under 18 Major section in subsequent events.

The Under 18 Minor is a developmental section for older players and as such is restricted to players with an ECF grade of 100 or less (as at the most recent published list). The winner of the Under 18 Minor will be promoted to the U18 Major in subsequent events.

GP2

This event is a qualifying tournament for the London Junior Chess Championships and as such the sections offered are Under 8, Under 10, Under 12 and Under 18.

Players should enter the section appropriate to their age. Players may enter a higher section if they wish.

GP Prizes

  1. The first three juniors in each of the above age groups will receive a salver provided they have played in at least 3 of the 6 Grand
  2. All eligible players, who have played in at least 5 of the 6 GP tournaments during the season will receive a special loyalty medal.
  3. All the above prizes are awarded at the prize-giving following the final GP tournament (currently Worthing).

 

Calculation of GP Points

Each player’s best 4 scores count.

 

Tie Breaks

The tie break rules are designed to reward the loyalty of players who have played in more tournaments:

  • Where both players have competed in 4 or more events; the 5th best score will be used to determine the tie break. If these scores are equal, the 6th best score will be used.
  • Where a player has only played in 3 events, the 4th best score will be used to determine tie break.

 

Other GP Rules

  1. Juniors playing in a nationally recognised chess tournament or chess fixture which clashes with a GP tournament will be deemed to have played in the clashing GP tournament for the purposes of the loyalty award. No points will be accrued in the Grand Prix. It is the responsibility of the player to notify the Grand Prix co-ordinator  of their claim within 7 days of the event
  2. Juniors playing in the Crowborough Chess Club Rapidplay on 16th September 2017 will be deemed to have played in the clashing GP tournament for the purposes of the loyalty award. Points scored will be accrued in the Grand Prix.
  3. The GP Manager will decide any matter not covered
  4. In the event of any dispute, the GP Manager’s decision will be final