WVCA Bylaws
Revised: September 2004
The purpose of these Bylaws shall be to define specific policies governing the operation of the West Virginia Chess Association (WVCA) and the tournaments sponsored by the WVCA.
- The meetings of the Board of Directors of the WVCA shall be open to all members of the club. These attending members shall have the right to taking the floor but can not vote.
- The fee for a Regular membership to the WVCA is $10 for one year. The cost of a Life membership is $140. The family membership costs $20.
- Annual State Chess Championship conditions of contest:
- The annual State Championship shall be contested over Labor Day weekend.
- The tournament shall be a six round Swiss system event with two rounds each day. There will be one section, open to all players.
- The time control for the annual State Championship shall be conducted at forty (40) moves in ninety (90) minutes, with (SD/1) sudden death in an hour.
- The TD has the discretion to designate how to break ties.
- The organizers of the State Championship are allowed to specify the entry fees.
- Any WVCA member is eligible to win a class trophy, regardless of residency.
- The local organization that is chosen to host the State Championship shall submit all details to WVCA officers four months prior to the latest time the announcements must be in to the USCF. A written contract with the site must be in existence. If this is not done, the President shall have the responsibility and financial authority to select an alternative site and sponsor the tournament.
- A WVCA Postal Championship shall be held every two years. The format will be decided by the Postal Director. This event should be USCF rated.
- The WVCA shall conduct a seven (7) round G-30 Action Championship to be held between March 1 and July 1. The K factor is to be determined by the Tournament Director. The bid for the Action tournament is to be separate from that of the State Championship. Bids should be presented at the annual business meeting held before the State Championship. The Action Championship shall be advertised in a timely manner in Chess Life.
- The WVCA shall also conduct a G-10 Quick Chess Championship on Saturday or Sunday during the State Championship to be advertised in the WVCA Bulletin.
- The WVCA shall also conduct a G-5 Blitz Chess Championship on Saturday or Sunday during the State Championship to be advertised in the Bulletin. This Championship will be run under the rules of the World Blitz Chess Association (WBCA). Players do not have to be members of the WBCA to participate in the Blitz Championship.
- The Bidding Process for the right to host the State Championships will be held annually at the WVCA Business Meeting. Bids to host the Action Championship and the State Championship will be accepted separately. If there are multiple bids for an event, then the membership present will vote on the hosting site with a simple majority needed. In case of a tie, the current Moderator will break the tie. If possible, a backup site should also be obtained in case the winning bid cannot fulfill their award. If no bids are received, the Board of Directors will be tasked with finding an appropriate site for the Tournament.
- The WVCA shall hold a Grand Prix Championship that will be based on performance over a year of events. The Grand Prix guidelines are as follows:
WVCA Grand Prix Rules
To earn Grand Prix Points: Must be a member of the WVCA.
Note: Residents from other states are eligible for points and prizes if they join the WVCA.
For a tournament to be eligible:
- A tourney must be open to all entrants.
- Must be at least four rounds.
- Time controls are G/60 or longer, with exception of the WVCA Action Championship.
- Official USCF cross table must be sent to the Grand Prix Coordinator.
- Must be contested in WV.
- A WV chess club that holds a tourney in an adjacent state can get a waiver from the Grand Prix Coordinator, though not automatic. (Ex. Parkersburg club holds a tourney in Marietta, OH or Logan County Club in Belfry, KY)
- Event registration fee of $10.00 to WVCA. The WV state championship shall be excluded from this fee.
- WVCA Championship is last event in Grand Prix cycle.
- Updates to GP standings should be posted on the website on a monthly basis with a list of the events included in the tabulation.
- Advance tournament notice of 30 days is required.
Grand Prix Point Distribution:
- Participation award of 1 point automatically given to each entrant.
- Wins, Forced Bye, Forfeit Win - 1 point
Draw - 1/2 point
Loss, Forfeit Loss, Voluntary Bye - 0 points - Bonus points
| Regular Tourney 4 rounds (Open) | State Championship | Regular Tourney 5 rounds or more (Open) | Split Sections 5 rounds or more | |
| First | 4 | 12 | 8 | 6 (Open) |
| Second | 3 | 8 | 6 | 4 (Open) |
| Third | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 (Open) |
| Class(A, B, C, D, E and below) | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 for 1st in class or 1st in Reserve Section |
One time cycle required:
In order for the new grand prix cycle to be established, as proposed in item 7 under rules, both the 2002 WV championship and the 2003 WV championship will be included in the same cycle. This is needed so as not to lose the 2002 championship in the change over.
The following changes to the previous Grand Prix system were made:
Under Rules:
- Items 6 and 7 are added.
- Item 6 is added to help defray the cost of awarding plaques to the top ten and to encourage membership in the WVCA.
- Item 7 is added to enhance the WV championship as the culmination of the Grand Prix race.
Under Point Distribution:
- Item 1 is added as well as a change to the bonus point awards primarily based on number of rounds contained in the event.
- Item 1 is added to ensure that all that play in an event are rewarded for their mere participation.
GP Sponsors:
Sponsors for the Grand Prix will be actively pursued.
Currently:
- 1st place finish in the Grand Prix will award plaque and $100
- Places 2 to 10 will receive recognition plaque and monetary award if new sponsors are found.