About the league

The Mid-Sussex Chess League is a flourishing organization, with a current (2010 / 11 season) membership of 13 clubs fielding 32 teams. Membership is open to chess clubs throughout Sussex, though as its name suggests, its origins were in the geographical centre of the old county (officially divided into East and West Sussex in 1974), and that is where most of its member clubs are located. Since Sussex is a broad, narrow coastal region (approximately 70 miles east to west by 25 miles north to south – here is a map if you'd like to visualize it), clubs from the extreme western and eastern reaches are generally admitted on condition that they travel to matches or play at a half-way-house venue.  Planning for each season starts by early September, with matches being played between mid-October and mid-May.  Applications from new clubs to join for the next season are always welcome and should be made to the League Secretary.

The league operates a number of all-play-all divisions, with promotion and relegation at the end of each season. Matches are played on mid-week evenings, in accordance with the regular club meeting night of the home team, unless otherwise agreed.  The normal playing session is 3 hours.  Traditionally, if a game was not completed in that time, and the players could not agree a result, the final position reached was sent for adjudication.  This is still the default position, but under Rule changes introduced before the 2009 / 10 season, players on each board have the option of both agreeing at the start of play to alternative time rules that include a quick play finish, with no adjudication possible.  This change was extensively debated on the Forum pages of the website and full details are now included in the latest version of the League Rules. The league also runs a knock-out competition on a handicap basis; these games have always been decided by a quick play finish.

The League charges entry fees to cover its running costs, including Game Fees charged by the English Chess Federation in order for all game results (divisions and KO) to be submitted for inclusion in the national grading system.  For 2010 / 11 these fees are £27.50 per team in the regular League, and £5 per team in the KO, but are subject to revision for each season at the AGM.

The MSCL is affiliated to the Sussex County Chess Association.