Club Rules

Club competitions

Each applicant must be a current member of the Irish Chess Union.
All games shall be played according to FIDE rules (see the FIDE Laws of Chess), with the following amendment to FIDE rule 11.3b: each player gets 1 warning per season in relation to an electronic device during rated games. Any subsequent breaches during the season result in a forfeit of the game. All incidents must be reported to the Secretary.
The time control for all games in all competitions is 75 minutes plus a 15-second increment for all moves. (a) If both players agree, games played on any evening may use a longer time control. (b) Members playing games against junior members of the club play at a time control of 75 minutes plus 15 seconds for the entire game; for this rule a junior player is any school-going player aged 18 or below. (c) Games in the club competitions should begin no later than 7.45 pm. If only one player is present at this time, he or she may start the opponent’s clock at 7.45 pm. If both players are late, the elapsed time after this deadline is deducted evenly from both clocks so that the game ends by 11 pm.
The club endeavours to provide a suitable chess set and clock for each game. Players may bring their own set and clock to use as mutually agreed.
Any disputes are first referred to the Chairman. If the matter is still not resolved it is referred to a players’ committee, duly appointed by the club, whose decisions in all matters are final.
Smoking is not permitted in the playing room of the club.
In exceptional circumstances an appeal can be made to the committee to set aside any of these rules.
The committee reserves the right to impose sanctions for breaches of these rules as it sees fit.

Club league

The Club Championship is decided by a seven-round Swiss tournament, which runs throughout the season from September to May. Normal Swiss rules apply and the draw is made with a Swiss pairing program (or any other software designed for this purpose and approved by the committee).
In the event of a tie for any league title, the following tie-break system applies in order: (a) the median Buchholz score as applied by the computer program; (b) the result of the individual encounter between the players.
Any player who has not paid the fees set by the committee by the beginning of round 1 of the Swiss championship is not entitled to play in that round, and is entitled to a 0.5-point bye for the round. If fees are still outstanding by the beginning of round 2, the player is not allowed to continue in the club Swiss competition.

Club teams

Club teams compete in the Munster leagues. The Chairman coordinates the management and selection of the teams and, in consultation with the other officers, appoints team captains. Team selection is loosely based on rating order, with the Chairman, in consultation with the team captains, having some discretion. The team captains arrange matches as required, keeping the Chairman informed so that no conflict arises.

Club premises

All club members should vacate the premises by 11.30 pm on each club night. The club is grateful to Limerick Lawn Tennis Club for the rental of their premises on Thursday nights. As guests of the Tennis Club, members are requested to treat the premises with respect. The Tennis Club committee has requested that no one under age 18 is in the bar or lounge area after 9 pm without adult or parental supervision.

Source: Limerick Chess Club archive.