ICCF

The 70th ICCF Jubilee events

Tuesday, May 5, 2020: Announcement; registration will begin in July/August 2020

The International Correspondence Chess Federation

Announcement

the 70th ICCF Jubilee events

27th April 2020:

The International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF) is the worldwide organisation for correspondence chess. It was founded in 1951 as a new appearance of the ICCA (International Correspondence Chess Association), which was founded in 1945, as successor of the IFSB (Internationaler Fernschachbund), founded in 1928.

In 2021, the ICCF celebrates its 70th anniversary.

The Executive Board (EB) to celebrate this anniversary, according to its tradition (from the 50th and 60th anniversary), will conduct several activities such as:

Special Jubilee tournaments (world champions, elite players, ICCF officials, including events for postal players, elite 960 players) – start date 2021, duration about 2-4 years.
Jubilee World Cups (regular and chess 960), separate events from the regular ICCF activities, carried out with the Silli system in 2 stages (preliminaries and final) over a 4-year period with special provisions for promotions – start date 2021-02-15.

For all these ICCF Jubilee tournaments as the main organizer was appointed Mariusz Wojnar, ICCF Delegate for Poland and President of the Polish CC Federation.

Tournament announcements are attached as annexes below.

Member Federations are asked to give the tournaments wide publicity to all their players.

We wish all participants many interesting games and new connections with CC friends in other countries, based on the spirit of friendship and the ICCF motto.

With kindest regards and good wishes,

Amici Sumus,

Frank Geider
World Tournament Director

Michael Millstone
ICCF General Secretary

Eric Ruch
ICCF President

Annexes:

Annex 1. The 70th ICCF Jubilee World Champions event (webserver)

Annex 2. The 70th ICCF Jubilee World Elite event (webserver)

Annex 3. The 70th ICCF Jubilee Chess 960 World Elite event (webserver)

Annex 4. The 70th ICCF Jubilee event for officials (webserver)

Annex 5. The 70th ICCF Jubilee event for postal players

Annex 6. The 70th ICCF Jubilee World Cup (webserver)

Annex 7. The 70th ICCF Jubilee Chess 960 World Cup (webserver)

Annex 1. The 70th ICCF Jubilee World Champions event (webserver)

Tournament Organization

ICCF would like to invite all World Champions to take part in a celebration of the 70th ICCF Jubilee with a special event exclusively for World Champions.

It will be one stage most probably double round robin event. The event will be rated with title norms.

The tournament will be played by webserver with an incremental rate of play (30 days per game, plus 3 days every 1 move, duplication after 20 days; 45 days leave per year, no special leave). Linear conditionals can be entered. The public can see the games live after 10 games are finished in the event; live transmission delayed by 5 moves.

The tournament will start on 2021-05-15. No end date. However, the tournament will start on 2021-03-15, if combined with Elite A and/or Elite B.

Entries

All past and present World Champions are welcome to enter.

Players may register via National Federation or might be contacted directly by the organizer. There is no entry fee in this event.

Registration will begin 2020-06-15 and will close on 2021-01-15 to allow for pairings.

Prizes

The total prize fund for this event is 2,000 EUR.

Cash prizes of 1,000 EUR, 600 EUR, 300 EUR and 100 EUR will be awarded to the top 4 players. Tie-breaks will not be applied in respect of these cash prizes and instead those players scoring equal points will equally share any prize money due.

All monetary prizes will be paid by Paypal. If the winner of a monetary prize cannot make arrangements for receiving the money through Paypal, that person will forfeit the prize; and the money will go to the player next in line.

Occasional medals and certificates will be awarded to the top 3 players (tie-break applies).

Qualification

The following special qualification provisions can be achieved in the 70th ICCF Jubilee World Champions event (required result above 50%):

winner and runner-up (tie-break applies) will qualify for a World Championship final;

Annex 2. The 70th ICCF Jubilee World Elite event (webserver)

Tournament Organization

It will be one stage event carried out in 3 sections (A, B, C) to which players will be assigned according to the rating. There will be special provisions for promotion as specified below. Depending on section and number of entries it will be either (double/ single) round robin or Silli tournament. All sections will be rated with title norms.

It is expected that section A will consist of 6-7 top players and they will play 10-12 games in double round robin tournament, section B will consist of about 13-14 players and they will play 12-13 games in single round robin tournament, section C will consist of about 40-60 players and they will play 12 games in Silli tournament.

The tournament will start on 2021-03-15. No end date.

Entries

A minimum rating is required to participate in World Elite event: 2640+ in section A (cat.16-17), 2600+ in section B (cat.15), 2550+ in section C (cat.13).

Players may register in the usual way through ICCF registration system or via National Federation. Players aspiring to section A or B might be contacted directly by the organizer. There is no entry fee in this event.

Registration will begin 2020-08-15 and will close on 2021-01-15 to allow for pairings.

Players whose rating on the 2021/1 Rating List has dropped below the requirement will be accepted at the organizer's discretion.

Prizes

The total prize fund for this event is 3,000 EUR (1,000 EUR per section).

Cash prizes of 600 EUR, 300 EUR and 100 EUR will be awarded to the top 3 players in each section. Tie-breaks will not be applied in respect of these cash prizes and instead those players scoring equal points will equally share any prize money due.

Also, occasional medals and certificates will be awarded to the top 3 players (tie-break applies).

Qualification

The following special qualification provisions can be achieved in the 70th ICCF Jubilee World Elite event (required result above 50%):

section A: winner and runner-up (tie-break applies) will qualify for a World Championship final;
section B: winner and runner-up (tie-break applies) will qualify for a World Championship final;
section C: winner (tie-break applies) will qualify for a World Championship final;
section C: players from places 2-5 (tie-break applies) will qualify for a World Championship Candidates (upon payment of the entry fee).

Annex 3. The 70th ICCF Jubilee Chess 960 World Elite event (webserver)

Tournament Organization

It will be one stage most probably double round robin event. The event will be rated for Chess 960 rating system. [Title norms might be possible in the final stage, if congress proposal is submitted and accepted.]

It is expected that section will consist of 7-8 top players (double round robin, each player will have 6-7 opponents and each player will play 12-14 games; players will have the same position with Black and White but all positions will defer from one opponent to another). However, ICCF President Eric Ruch on 2020-11-13 decided to remove the restriction to the top 7-8 players only and open the tournament to all players rated 2500+ (fixed or unfixed) for chess 960. Therefore organization of the tournament can vary and depending on number of entries it will be either (double/ single) round robin or Silli tournament.

The tournament will start on 2021-03-15. No end date.

Entries

A minimum rating of 2500+ is required to participate in World Elite Chess 960 event.

Players may register via National Federation or might be contacted directly by the organizer. There is no entry fee in this event.

Registration will begin 2020-08-15 and will close on 2021-01-15 to allow for pairings.

Players whose rating on the 2021/1 Rating List (Chess 960) has dropped below the requirement will be accepted at the organizer's discretion.

Prizes

The total prize fund for this event is 1,000 EUR.

Cash prizes of 600 EUR, 300 EUR and 100 EUR will be awarded to the top 3 players. Tie-breaks will not be applied in respect of these cash prizes and instead those players scoring equal points will equally share any prize money due.

Also, occasional medals and certificates will be awarded to the top 3 players (tie-break applies).

Qualification

The following special qualification provisions can be achieved in the 70th ICCF Jubilee Chess 960 World Elite event (required result above 50%):

the winner (tie-break applies) will qualify for a World Championship final;
players from places 2-3 (tie-break applies) will qualify for a World Championship Candidates (upon payment of the entry fee);

Annex 4. The 70th ICCF Jubilee event for officials (webserver)

Tournament Organization

ICCF would like to invite delegates and officials to take part in a celebration of the Diamond Jubilee with a series of ICCF Officials’ tournaments which will be organised free of charge.

It will be one stage event carried out in 4-5 sections A, B, C, D (& E) to which players will be assigned according to the rating. Depending on section and number of entries it will be either (double/ single) round robin or Silli tournament. All sections will be rated with title norms. A-section is expected to be a GM Jubilee tournament (entrants should have a minimum rating of 2425).

The tournament will start on 2021-03-15. No end date.

Entries

All past and present ICCF officials/ delegates [national, zonal and ICCF officials, including TOs, TDs] are welcome to enter.

Players may register in the usual way through ICCF registration system. No entry fee.

A minimum rating of 2425 is required to participate in section A.

Registration will begin 2020-08-15 and will close on 2021-01-15 to allow for pairings.

Players whose rating on the 2021/1 Rating List has dropped below the requirement will be accepted at the organizer's discretion.

Prizes

Occasional certificates for winners will be awarded.

Annex 5. The 70th ICCF Jubilee event for postal players

Tournament Organization

It will be one stage event carried out in few sections to which players will be assigned according to the rating. Depending on section and number of entries it will be either (double/ single) round robin or Silli tournament. All sections will be rated with title norms if possible.

The tournament will be played by post with standard rate of play (40 days for every 10 moves, duplication after 12 days; 45 days leave per year, no special leave).

The tournament will start on 2021-03-15; end date 2025-01-15. All unfinished games will be adjudicated.

Entries

All players are eligible to enter.

Players may register in the usual way through ICCF registration system. No entry fee.

Registration will begin 2020-08-15 and will close on 2021-01-15 to allow for pairings.

Prizes

Occasional certificates for winners will be awarded.

Annex 6. The 70th ICCF Jubilee World Cup (webserver)

Tournament Organization

It will be carried out in 2 stages over a 4‑year period with special provisions for promotions.

Each section will consist of at least 58 players in the preliminary round (each player will play 12 games) and approximately 100 players in the final round (each player will play 14 games). Paring will be made in according to the Silli system.

The event will be rated (preliminary stage) with title norms, where applicable (final stage).

The tournament will start on 2021-02-15. All preliminary sections will finish on 2022-08-15. All unfinished games that will decide promotional positions in the section will be adjudicated.

The final is expected to start on 2022-11-15 at the latest; end date 2025-01-15.

Entries

All players are eligible to enter.

Players may register in the usual way through ICCF registration system (select “Register by Direct Entry“ or “Register via National Federation”). The entry fee in this tournament is the same as the entry fee for the regular world cup.

Multiple entries are allowed up to the number of preliminary sections (expected 8-10). Updated on 2021-01-07: Players can submit a maximum of 10 entries!

ICCF GM title holder is entitled to one free registration (player needs to select “Register via National Federation”).

All previous World Correspondence Chess Champions and the holders of ICCF GM title with at least 5 Grandmaster norms can enter (free of charge) directly to the final stage.

Special invitation is addressed to winners of

the ICCF Golden Jubilee Final tournaments (“ICCF 50 Jubilee Email Final” and “ICCF 50 Jubilee Postal Final“) and
the Diamond Jubilee World Cup 18 (webserver) and
the Diamond Jubilee World Cup 19 (postal)

in order to bridge 50th and 60th and 70th Anniversaries of the ICCF. These players can enter (free of charge) directly to the final stage.

Registration will begin 2020-08-15 and will close on 2021-01-15 to allow for pairings.

Allocation of players to the preliminary sections will be made as random as possible; however, geographical distribution as well as an achievement of reasonable equality of the average rating, will be taken into account.

Prizes

The total prize fund for this event will be 3,000 EUR (1,000 EUR preliminary stage and 2,000 EUR final stage).

Prizes will be awarded to winners of the preliminary sections (such prizes, each to the value of approximately 100 EUR, will be in the form of vouchers, tie-break applies).

In the final cash prizes of 1,000 EUR, 600 EUR, 300 EUR and 100 EUR will be awarded to the top 4 players. Tie-breaks will not be applied in respect of these cash prizes and instead those players scoring equal points will equally share any prize money due.

Also, in the final occasional medals and certificates will be awarded to the top 3 players (tie-break applies).

Qualification

The number of promotions will depend on total entries received, but it is initially assumed that 10-15% of the players from each preliminary section will qualify for the world cup final (tie-break applies).

Although the number of preliminary sections which each player may enter is limited to number of preliminary sections (expected 8-10), no player will qualify for more than one place in the final.

In addition, the winners of the Diamond Jubilee World Cup 18 can enter directly to the final stage of the 70th ICCF Jubilee World Cup.

The following special qualification provisions can be achieved in the 70th ICCF Jubilee World Cup final (required result above 50%):

the winner (tie-break applies) will gain the SIM title;
the winner (tie-break applies) will qualify for a World Championship final;
players from places 2-3 (tie-break applies) will qualify for a World Championship Candidates (upon payment of the entry fee);
players from places 4-13 (tie-break applies) will qualify for a World Championship semi-final (upon payment of the entry fee).

Annex 7. The 70th ICCF Jubilee Chess 960 World Cup (webserver)

Tournament Organization

Depending on number of entries (usually 60-100) it will be carried out most probably with the mix of pairing systems (Silli and round robin) in 2 stages over a 4‑year period with special provisions for promotions.

It is assumed that each preliminary section will consist of about 40-60 players (Silli system, each player will have 10 opponents and each player will play 10 games; starting positions are randomized for each pairing) and final will consist of 7-9 players (double round robin, each player will have 6-8 opponents and each player will play 12-16 games; players will have the same position with Black and White but all positions will defer from one opponent to another).

The event will be rated for Chess 960 rating system. [Title norms might be possible in the final stage, if congress proposal is submitted and accepted.]

The tournament will start on 2021-02-15. All preliminary sections will finish on 2022-08-15. All unfinished games that will decide promotional positions in the section will be adjudicated.

The final is expected to start on 2022-11-15 at the latest; end date 2025-01-15.

Entries

All players are eligible to enter.

Multiple entries are allowed up to the number of preliminary sections (expected 2).

ICCF GM title holder is entitled to one free registration (player needs to select “Register via National Federation”).

Special invitation is addressed to winner of the Diamond Jubilee Chess 960 World Cup who can enter (free of charge) directly to the final stage.

Registration will begin 2020-08-15 and will close on 2021-01-15 to allow for pairings.

Prizes

The total prize fund for this event will be 1,000 EUR (200 EUR preliminary stage and 800 EUR final stage).

Prizes will be awarded to winners (tie-break applies) of the preliminary sections (such prizes, each to the value of approximately 100 EUR, will be in the form of vouchers.

In the final cash prizes of 400 EUR, 250 EUR and 150 EUR will be awarded to the top 3 players. Tie-breaks will not be applied in respect of these cash prizes and instead those players scoring equal points will equally share any prize money due.

Also, in the final occasional medals and certificates will be awarded to the top 3 players (tie-break applies).

Qualification

The number of promotions will depend on total entries received, but it is initially assumed that 3-4 players from each preliminary section will qualify for the world cup final (tie-break applies).

Although the number of preliminary sections which each player may enter is limited to number of preliminary sections (expected 2), no player will qualify for more than one place in the final.

In addition, the winner of the Diamond Jubilee Chess 960 World Cup can enter directly to the final stage of the 70th ICCF Jubilee World Cup.

The following special qualification provisions can be achieved in the 70th ICCF Jubilee Chess 960 World Cup final (required result above 50%):

the winner (tie-break applies) will gain the SIM title;
the winner (tie-break applies) will qualify for a World Championship final;
players from places 2-3 (tie-break applies) will qualify for a World Championship Candidates (upon payment of the entry fee);
players from places 4-9 (tie-break applies) will qualify for a World Championship semi-final (upon payment of the entry fee).

Remarks

Remark 1. Depending on the number of entries, the organization of the 70th ICCF Jubilee World Champions event (Annex 1) and the 70th ICCF Jubilee World Elite event (Annex 2) may change yet.

Remark 2. Special provisions (proposal 2020-020) endorsed by ICCF delegates by vote.

Remark 3. Unfortunately, the title norms in chess 960 (proposal 2020-033) did not pass

Remark 4. It was decided to set up an additional tie-breaking procedure for jubilee tournaments, which is a lower rating (details below). This tie-breaking procedure will be indicated under cross table, where applicable.

Additional tie-breaking procedure

If a tie persists after the standard tie-breaking procedures (single/double round robin event: number of wins, then Sonneborn-Berger, then direct encounter among tied players; Silli event: Buchholz cut 2, then Buchholz cut 1, then Buchholz, then Buchholz 2nd stage, and then number of wins), then the order is decided by the lower rating (fixed or unfixed) at the end of the tournament for normal chess or chess 960, respectively. If the tie still remains, the order is determined by the lower rating (fixed or unfixed) in previous ranting lists until broken. If players are still tied after all relevant tie-breaking procedures have been used, the players will be considered equal.

A FIDE rating (for chess 960: an ICCF rating and only then a FIDE rating) will be considered equivalent to an unfixed rating, where applicable.

Remark 5. Annex 6. The 70th ICCF Jubilee World Cup (webserver) updated on 2021-01-07: Players can submit a maximum of 10 entries!

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Last update: 2021-01-07

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