Continuing the work from befor the Coriona Crisis, we have to inform all of you about some very important changes, which have already been approved by the MCA Committee and/or the AGM:

Important rule changes for the Season 2021/22

The introduction of the new ECF rating system has caused some changes:

The 440-League becomes the 6000-League

• The minimum ECF rating number is 1300. Players with a grade below 1300 will be counted as 1300.
• Players with an ECF rating number above 1700 are not allowed to play in this league.
• Players without an ECF rating number will be counted as 1300.
• The combined ECF rating numbers of all players shall not exceed 6000.

The 600-League becomes the 7200-League

• The minimum ECF rating number is 1600. Players with a grade below 1600 will be counted as 1600.
• Players with an ECF rating number above 2000 are not allowed to play in this league.
• Players without an ECF rating number will be counted as 1600.
• The combined ECF rating numbers of all players shall not exceed 7200.

Knotty Ash Cup

• The ECF rating number of Knotty Ash Cup players must not exceed 1700.
• Players with an ECF rating numbder grade above 1700 are not allowed to play in this competition.

Listing Players, New Players

In order to enter the competitions every Club must enter the complete team squads and name ail team captain onto the CLM before the start of the season.

Comprehensive guidance on how to do this has already been issued and it is imperative that clubs take on this work prior to playing matches and ideally before the start of the season.

By way of warning without an ECF Code it is not possible to list players on the CLM neither for the club nor for the team. Clubs are reminded that playing an unlisted player may lead to board deductions which could adversely affect the match result. To avoid this, clubs shall register new players immediately at the ECF and submit all their ECF details (Name, ECF Code / ECF Ref Number, sex (M/W), rating number (if existing)) to the league controllers and the webmaster.

For the purposes of clarity: You will recall that at the last AGM in May 2021 it was agreed that the MCA would no longer register players with the ECF but that this task would be taken on by the club or the individual.
It is the club’s responsibility to register their players, which includes submitting their ECF details to the league controllers and the webmaster.

For guidance please visit:

CLM 3 How to's and Manuals
and
Merseyside Chess Association

Regards,

Tom Webb
on behalf of the MCA Committee