Chess South

Africa

Affiliate of FIDE and SASCOC

Secretariat: Mrs Marcelle Agulhas : 6 Brand Street, Bellville South, Bellville, 7530, RSA Mobile No: +27 84 500 7159

Email: secretary@chessa.co.za : Website: www.chessa.co.za

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SELECTION POLICY FOR THE SELECTION OF YOUTH PLAYERS

FOR INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION (2015)

1. TERMINOLOGY

1.1. Chess South Africa [Chess SA]

1.2. Chess South Africa Youth Commission [YC]

2. AGREEMENT

The selection of players will take place in terms of the Chess SA Constitution and policies

as agreed to by the General Council of Chess SA. This policy document is valid for the

selection of players as pertaining to the circumstances laid out below.

3. NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL CHESS TOURNAMENTS

3.1. South African Junior Chess Championships (SAJCC)

3.2. South African Junior Closed Chess Championships (SAJCCC)

3.3. South African National Schools Chess Championships (SANSCC)

3.4. World Youth Chess Championships (WYCC)

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3.5. World Youth Olympiad Chess Championships U/16 (WYOCC)

3.6. World Junior Chess Championships (WJCC)

3.7. World Schools Individual Chess Championships (WSICC)

3.8. African Junior Chess Championships (AJCC)

3.9. African Youth Chess Championships (AYCC)

3.10. Commonwealth Games (CWG)

4. SOUTH AFRICAN JUNIOR CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2014

4.1. All players who wish to be considered for international participation must compete

in the SAJCC 2014 Team Event as per Chess SA Council Meeting decision in June

2012.

4.2. Exemptions to 4.1:

4.2.1. Any player can forward a written request to the Youth Chairperson:

youth@chessa.co.za at least 1 month before the start of the tournament. This

request must explain the circumstances and contain documentary proof

where possible. The Youth Commission will notify the player of the outcome

within 7 days

4.2.2. Any player who were entered but unforeseen circumstances made it impossible to play, can forward a written request to the Youth Chairperson: youth@chessa.co.za within 2 weeks after the end of the tournament. This request must explain the circumstances and contain documentary proof where possible. The Youth Commission will notify the player of the outcome within 7 days.

4.2.3. Players that are involved in International tournaments as described in Section 6, where the International tournament ends 2 weeks or less before the start of the team event or starts less than 2 weeks after the end of the team event are exempt from participating in the team event. Those players will receive automatic qualification into the SAJCCC

5. SOUTH AFRICAN JUNIOR CLOSED CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2015:

All players wishing to be considered for selection to an International Event must participate in the SAJCCC. Participation means playing the entire tournament and not just a few rounds.

All tournaments published in this policy are tournaments whereby Chess South Africa award junior national colours as well as federation colours to all players selected to represent South Africa therefore no player will participate in these events without the recommendation of the Youth Commission and the approval of the Executive Board of Chess South Africa based on the recommendation of the Youth Commission.

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5.1. Selections for the SAJCCC 2015:

5.1.1. The SAJCCC 2015 will comprise of 30 plus players for boys and 30 plus

players for girls per age group. Exact numbers will be determined by the

number of players that qualify at the SAJCC 2014 wild card tournament.

5.1.2. Top 10 boys and top 10 girls as per Grand Prix list that is determined by 1

October 2014.

5.1.3. Top 10 boys and top 10 girls as per Chess SA Rating list that is determined

by 1 October 2014.

5.1.4. Top 10 boys and top 10 girls as determined by the individual wild card event

directly after the SAJCC 2014 Team Event. The tournament format will be

seven (7) rounds of 60 / 60.

5.1.5. Top Three (3) players per age and gender category from the SA Individual

Schools Chess Championships 2014 will be invited to the SAJCCC 2015.

Should a player already qualify to play in the SAJCCC 2015 the next highest

placed player will be invited up to the sixth place.

5.1.6. If there are tied positions (equal on points) then all the players tied on points

will be selected for the SAJCCC 2015.

5.1.7. To qualify for SAJCCC 2015 (if the player has not automatically qualified by

Grand Prix or Rating) a player must have played 30 games between 1 January

2014 and 31 December 2014.

5.1.8. Grand Prix list for this selection will run from 1 October 2013 to 30 September

2014 with a minimum of 30 rated games required to be included on the list for

the age groups under 10 to under 20. Under 8 participants should have

played at least 10 rated games (60/60 or more) before 30 September 2014.

5.1.9. No replacements will be considered in place of players who withdraw from

the final published list for the SAJCCC 2015.

5.1.10. Tournaments must be submitted for rating / Grand Prix by 25 September 2014

to be processed in time. Tournaments submitted after that date will not be

taken into consideration.

5.1.11. All players participating in the SAJCCC must be in possession of a SA birth

certificate, SA identity document or SA passport.

5.1.12. Calculation of Grand Prix points:

Only tournaments where a player scores the following minimum tournament

performance will count towards the player’s Grand Prix points.

U8: Boys=900 Girls=700

U10: Boys=1100 Girls=900

U12: Boys=1200 Girls=1000

U14: Boys=1300 Girls=1100

U16: Boys=1400 Girls=1200

U18: Boys=1500 Girls=1300

U20: Boys=1600 Girls=1400

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A players top 5 Grand Prix tournaments will count for 2014. Only tournaments of 60 /

60 or longer will be included.

5.2. Format of SAJCCC 2015:

5.2.1. Pairing:

An eleven (11) round Swiss will be played.

5.2.2. Categories:

5.2.2.1. There will be an “Open” and “Girls” section in each age group

category – U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18 and U20.

5.2.2.2. Open category right of girls:

5.2.2.2.1. Any girl whose ranking is equal to, or better than the lowest of the top 10 players on either the Grand Prix or Rating list of another age group, can inform the YC in writing, via her District/Province, by 21 January 2015 that she wants to participate in the “Open” section of that age group at the SAJCCC;

5.2.2.2.2. Any girl may enter the Wild card event in the “Open” section in order to qualify for the open section at the SAJCCC;

5.2.2.2.3. By entering the open section in the wild card the girl does not forfeit her qualification for the girls section already obtained by either her grand prix or top 10 rating.

5.2.2.2.4. The girl will be added into the requested group as an additional player and will not affect top 20 players.

5.2.3. Older age group category right of players: 5.2.3.1. Any player whose ranking is equal to, or better than the lowest of

the top 10 players on either the Grand Prix or Rating list of the older age group, can inform the YC in writing, via his/her District/Province, by 21 January 2015 that he/she wants to participate in the older age group at the SAJCCC;

5.2.3.2. The player will be added into the older age group as an additional player and will not affect top 20 players.

5.2.3.3. Any player may enter the wild card event in the older section in order to qualify for the older section at the SAJCCC;

5.2.3.4. By entering the older section in the wild card the player does not forfeit his/her qualification for the lower age group section already obtained by either his/her grand prix or top 10 rating.

5.2.3.5. The YC discourages this as the players need to play in their age groups at the international tournaments where the competition will be adequate and where South Africa can win medals in accordance with the mandate of SASCOC and CHESS SA.

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5.2.4. The LOC with the Chief Arbiter reserves the right to combine sections if they

deem it necessary.

5.2.5. Tie Break: 5.2.5.1. The same playoff criteria apply to all tied places. 5.2.5.2. If all they player who scored equally played one another, then head

to head encounter take precedence; 5.2.5.3. The Chief Arbiter of the SAJCCC will provide the other play off

rules to determine clear positions before the start of the tournament.

5.2.6. LOC:

5.2.6.1. A Youth Commission Representative, Chess SA Representative &

Chief Arbiter will serve on the Local Organising Committee.

5.2.6.2. The Youth Commission in conjunction with the Events Committee

will determine the dates and programme for the SAJCCC 2015.

5.2.7. The Youth Secretary will send out the formal invitation letter to the players a

minimum of two (2) months prior to the start of the event.

6. INTERNATIONAL EVENTS FOR INDIVIDUAL YOUTH PLAYERS IN

2015:

6.1. World Youth Chess Championships:

6.1.1. Ages - Under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18.

6.1.2. Three (3) players per age and gender category.

6.1.3. The winners of the SAJCCC 2015 in each age and gender category will qualify

as the first place player; the second place player will also qualify for

selection.

6.1.4. Third player: 6.1.4.1 The top junior players per age and gender on the Grand Prix

ranking list as at start of SAJCCC 2015 will qualify as the third player for World Youth provided the player finishes in the top five (5) of their section at the SAJCCC 2015.

6.1.4.2 If this player is already in the top two placed players, then the next placed player in the SAJCCC 2015 will be selected.

6.1.4.3 If the top player on the Grand Prix lists at the start of the SAJCCC 2015 did not participate in SAJCCC 2015, then the next player on the grand prix list will be selected if he was placed 3rd, 4th or 5th at the SAJCCC

6.1.5. Should a player that obtained Personal Rights qualify on the above criteria, the next placed player at the SAJCCC 2015 will be selected.

6.1.6 The “start of SAJCCC 2015” Grand Prix list will be compiled in accordance

with the provisions of par 5.1.7, except for the duration, which will be from 1 May 2014 to the start of the SAJCCC 2015.

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6.1.7. The FIDE fees of the champions will be covered by CHESS SA.

6.2. World Junior and Girls U/20 Chess Championship:

6.2.1. The top two highest Rated players as at 1 May 2015 will be selected.

6.2.2. The highest player on the Grand Prix list as at 1 May 2015 will be selected as

the third player. If this player is also one of the top two highest rated players,

then the next highest player on the Grand Prix list will be selected.

6.2.3. Players must attain a CHESS SA rating of 1900 plus for boys and 1800 plus

for girls as at the start of the SAJCCC 2015.

6.2.4. The top junior player on the Grand Prix ranking list as at the start of the

SAJCCC 2015.

6.2.5. The “start of SAJCCC 2015” Grand Prix list will run from 1 May 2014 to the

start of the SAJCCC 2015. 30 games will be minimum required.

6.2.6. The player’s top 5 Grand Prix tournaments will be used to calculate Grand

Prix points.

6.3. World Youth U16 Olympiad:

6.3.1. Three teams of five (5) players each will be selected. Two open teams and

one all girls team.

6.3.2. All three (3) teams will receive National Colours.

6.3.3. The open teams will comprise of the top eight (8) players from the U16 Open

section from the SAJCCC 2015.

6.3.4. The winner of the U16 girls section at the SAJCCC 2015 will qualify for the A-

team and the second placed player will qualify for the B-team.

6.3.5. The all-girls teams will comprise of the next five (5) highest rated girls from

the U14 and U16 girls section from the SAJCCC 2015.

6.3.6. Reserves for Open section / Girls Section will be based on head to head

(direct encounter) and then tie-break. This applies to the next position at the

SAJCCC 2015. Replacements will come from the U16 age groups.

6.3.7. If a player withdraws then the replacement player will be selected from the

next highest rated player.

6.4. African Youth Chess Championship 2015:

6.4.1. Ages - Under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18.

6.4.2. Three (3) players per age and gender category.

6.4.3. The winners of the SAJCCC 2015 in each age and gender category will qualify

as the first place player; the second place player will also qualify for

selection.

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6.4.4. The highest placed PDI player in that age group will be selected, provided the

player finished in the top eight (8) at the SAJCCC 2015 and if no PDI qualifies

under this criteria, then the third placed player will be selected.

6.5. African Junior Chess Championship 2015:

6.5.1. Four (4) boys and girls (U18 and U20).

6.5.2. The winners of the U20 age and gender group at the SAJCCC 2015 qualify for

the African Junior Chess Championships and will be considered the 1st

place players. The second place players also qualify for this event provided

the players rating is 1800 plus for the open section and 1700 plus for the girls

at the time of selection.

6.5.3. The winners of the U18 age and gender group at the SAJCCC 2015 also

qualify for the African Juniors, provided that their rating is 1800 plus for the

open and 1700 plus for the girls.

6.5.4. The highest Rated player who finishes in the top five (5) of the U18 – U20 age

groups (combined) will qualify as the fourth player provided the rating is 1800

plus for the open and 1700 for the girls.

6.5.5. If a player withdraws then the replacement player will be selected from the

next highest rated player.

6.6. Commonwealth 2015:

6.6.1. The winners of SAJCCC 2015 in the specific age and gender groups will be

the official representatives for this event and will be the 1st place players.

6.6.2. The second place player also qualifies.

6.6.3. The following age and gender groups qualify for selection:

6.6.3.1. U8 to U20 only.

6.7. World Schools Individual Chess Championships:

Players will be awarded CHESSA (Federation) colours for this event, the YC and the

National Schools Chess Committee will select players from various school and

CHESS SA events.

6.8.1. Top Ten (10) players per age and gender category will be selected from the South African Schools Individual Chess Championships.

6.8.2. There will be no replacements.

7. PLAYERS RESIDING OUTSIDE THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA:

If a player holding a South African passport, residing outside of South Africa, wishes to

represent South Africa internationally, then such player must participate in the Team event.

If the player does not also qualify automatically via the Grand Prix or Rating then such

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player must play in the individual wild card event in order to qualify for the SAJCCC 2015

as well.

If a player has played more than 30 games in South Africa in a calendar year prior to

SAJCC he will be seen as a local player.

International players can apply to play in an “All stars” team event.

8. CONDITIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION:

8.1. In order to be considered for selection for international participation, players must:

8.1.1 be in possession of a SA birth certificate, SA identity document or SA passport;

8.1.2 participated in the SAJCC 2014; and 8.1.3 participated in the SAJCCC 2015.

8.3. CHESS SA reserves the right to send no players, or less than what is defined in the

Criteria, to any International event.

8.4. Players who have earned a personal right will receive national colours and be part

of the South African delegation. If these players are the winners of their age group,

then they will receive the CHESS SA subsidy.

8.5. CHESS SA expects that all players selected for international competition stay active.

8.6. As soon as a player is selected, the manager will indicate the minimum number of

rated games (60 /60 or more) that will be expected for that player to compete in.

8.7. Failure to complete the required number of games may lead to the disqualification

from the international events qualified for.

8.8. The YC reserves the right to further lay down guidelines for players that are

selected to play for South Africa.

8.9. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in a player being withdrawn from

the National team or event and the CHESS SA sponsorship being cancelled.

8.10. Players must pay a non-refundable deposit of R2000.00 within 30 days of

acceptance of selection.

8.11. No player will be allowed, once selected for a particular event, to request to swop

out for another event, such requests will not be considered.

9. TIE BREAK AND REPLACEMENT PLAYERS:

9.1.

Where there is a tie in positions, the same playoff criteria for tied 1st place will apply

to all other tied places. Head to head encounter should take precedence before

playoffs, e.g. player 3 and 4 have the same number of points – playoff rules will

apply. (The Chief Arbiter of the SAJCCC will provide play off rules to determine clear

positions)

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9.2. Replacement players, due to other players having withdrawn, will be based on points gained at the SAJCCC 2015 and then on the pre-defined tie break system that was used at the SAJCCC 2015 tournament. Should this be equal then the following will be applicable:

9.2.1. Activity

9.2.2. Rating

9.2.3. Participation in the SAJCC 2014 Team Event as well as the SAJCCC 2015.

9.2.4. Position on Grand Prix list.

9.2.5. Transformation status/Disadvantaged Individuals

9.3. If a player withdraws after he/she was selected for an event, the YC will select the

replacement for the player. No player will be re-instated once officially withdrawn.

9.4. The selection of a replacement player needs to be ratified by the Youth Commission

and Executive Board of CHESS SA

9.5.

CHESS SA may elect not to replace a player if the other players are not deemed

strong enough.

10. SELECTION AND VERIFICATION OF SELECTIONS:

10.1. The Selection of players will take place in accordance with the Constitution of

CHESS SA.

10.2. All Selection committees and players shall be bound by the stipulations in this

document.

10.3. Any selector or Youth Commission member who has a child in a specific age group

must recuse themselves from that age group and may not be involved in any

discussions in that same age group.

11. CHESS SA COLOURS

The YC will identify tournaments whereby players will be selected for development

purposes through talent identification; these players will receive CHESS SA (Federation)

colours.

13. OFFICIALS

13.1. The ATM Commission will appoint the various coaches and managers for each

delegation.

13.2. The YC will make proposals to the ATM with regard to the appointment of managers

and coaches for youth events.

13.3. The appointment of coaches and managers must be ratified by the CHESS SA

Executive Board.

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13.4. All processes and administration for applying and for the appointment of persons

for the positions of Team Coach, Head Coach or Team Manager for International

Groups as in this document are subject to the criteria as laid down by the CHESS

SA Constitution, the Executive Board as well as the Commissions involved in the

administration of International Youth participants.

13.5. All players will be expected to travel with the official manager appointed by CHESS

SA as well as stay with their team in the official accommodation provided for the

specific event, unless exceptional reasons preclude this.

13.6. All coaches and managers for all delegations shall be announced at the prize giving

of the SAJCCC 2015.

14. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT

The Youth Chairperson or any person nominated by the Youth Commission will serve on all local organising committees of all National youth and junior tournaments and all International youth/junior events held in South Africa.