DCC Friendly Shield

Version 4 10/10/2025 Kevin Dalley

• Based number of qualifying events (for final score) based on total events
• Provisional handicapping
• Changed the handicapping groups due to large number of players in group D

Version 3 01/05/2025 Kevin Dalley

• Replaced cup with shield reflecting the nature of the physical trophy!
• Clarified tie break rules
• Amended to cater for events where there is inherent handicapping (e.g. Odds Chess).

Version 2 05/12/2024 Kevin Dalley

• Following the lack of interest in the friendly game reporting and the complexity in tracking this I have decided to restrict the Friendly Shield to the social events generally played on the first of each month.

Friendly Shield Rules

Overview

The DCC Friendly Shield is a points based competition aimed at providing an overall Grand Prix style format for the social chess events played at the club (generally on the first of the month). It will be handicapped based on the grading of the players.

Handicap Groups

• There are four groups for the purposes of determining handicaps. These are based on the Septembers ECF grading list and will not change during the year (unless the tournament director feels that a player’s strength is significantly different to their group).
• The groups are:
  • Group A: ECF 1800+
  • Group B: ECF 1600 - 1799
  • Group C: ECF 1400 - 1599
  • Group D: ECF less than 1400
• Generally an A/K normal play grade will be used if available, otherwise a full (A/K) rapid-play grade will be used.
• If a player does not have a full ECF grade (either an A/K long play or rapid-play grade) then they will be assigned a provisional handicap group (denoted by a P). The tournament director can then subsequently adjust the handicap group once a new players strength becomes more apparent. Points will be recalculated based on the final handicap group.
• The tournament director reserves the right adjust handicap groups if a significant improvement in grade is registered during a year.

Special Events

• Throughout the season there will be several fun events run for the club (these are the various special events that KJD has arranged in the past). There will be at least 8 events in the season
• A player will be awarded from 0-4 basic points points in each event that attend (normally this will be points scored in a four round quickly but may be different for other events).
• In addition a player will be awarded bonus points based on their handicap group (0/1/2/3 for groups A/B/C/D respectively). In some cases where the actual event is handicapped, there will be no additional points awarded.
• No player may score a total of 4 points in each event.
• A players best event scores will be counted towards the final points tally. The number of events taken into account will two less than the total number of events staged. (in 2025/26 this is likely to seven - total events expected to be nine)
• Ties will be resolved as follows using the following tie-breaks in sequence:
  1. Each next best event will be considered - so in tie breaks it is an advantage to have played more than the minimum.
     2. Handicap grades D then C then B then A[^1]
     3. Some form of play-off devised by the organiser.

[^1]: Please note that the Friendly Cup is deliberately weighted to allow opportunities for the less strong players to win.