I am very pleased to advise members of a new BCCA initiative to bring more enjoyment and purpose to your games: the chance to obtain a BCCA chess Title!
My role as ICCF Qualifications Commissioner has made me realise how motivated players are to obtain a Title. Indeed, for many players, it is their primary motivation for playing! I am hoping BCCA players will react in a similar way to the prospect of obtaining domestic Titles.
The ICCF playing Titles available are Grandmaster (GM), Senior International Master (SM), International Master (IM), Lady Grandmaster (LG) and Lady Master (LM). From 1 February 2011, BCCA members will have the chance to play towards obtaining the:-
• BCCA Master Title (BM)
• BCCA Candidate Master Title (CM)
I have unashamedly stolen this idea from the Canadian system of the CCCA. I e-mailed Joe Deidun, who invented their system, and discussed it with him. It certainly generated some interest for their players. Both Titles are totally independent of each other and I must point out that the Candidate Master Title essentially has a different objective in mind; it rewards players who regularly play in BCCA domestic events and thus encourages entry. Therefore, the CM Title is within the reach of every player!
BCCA MASTER TITLE (BM)
The BCCA Master Title is a permanent Title which can be achieved by fulfilling one of the following requirements:-
Amass 20 or more Master Points based on winning or placing in tournaments as follows:-
15 points:
Winner of BCCA William Mason Championship
Winner of British CC Championship (BCCC)
10 points:
Winner of BCCA Gold Medal Tourney
Winner of BFCC Veterans Championship
8 points:
2nd place BCCA Championship
2nd place BCCC
6 points:
Winner BCCA Webserver Final
2nd place BFCC Veterans Championship Final
4 points:
3rd place BCCA Championship
3rd place BCCC
2nd place BCCA Gold Medal Tourney
3 points:
Winner of a Class 3 Trio
2 points:
4th place BCCA Championship
4th place BCCC
3rd place BFCC Veterans Championship Final
2nd place BCCA Webserver Final
There is no timescale. Players who are awarded the BCCA Master Title will be presented with a Title Certificate and a Gold Medal.
BCCA CANDIDATE MASTER TITLE (CM)
The BCCA Candidate Master Title is a permanent Title which can be achieved by fulfilling one of the following requirements:-
Amass 20 or more Candidate Master Points based on winning or placing in tournaments as follows:-
10 points:
Winner of BCCA Silver Medal Tournament
Winner of E-mail Winner’s Tournament
1st place BCCA Handicap Tournament
8 points:
Winner of BCCA Candidates Tournament
Winner of BCCC Candidates Tournament
2nd place BCCA Handicap Tournament
7 points:
Winner of BCCA Bronze Medal Tournament
Winner of BFCC Veterans Candidates Section
3rd place BCCA Handicap Tournament
6 points:
2nd place BCCA Silver Medal Tournament
2nd place E-mail Winner’s Tournament
Winner of BCCA Endgame Tournament
Winner of BCCA Selected Openings Tournament (SOT)
4th place BCCA Handicap Tournament
5 points:
Winner of a Class 2 Trio
Winner of BCCA Reserves Tournament
2nd place in BCCA Candidates Tournament
2nd place in BCCC Candidates Tournament
5th place in BCCA Handicap Tournament
4 points:
2nd place in BCCA Bronze Medal Tournament
6th place in BCCA Handicap Tournament
3 points:
2nd place in Endgame/SOT
2 points:
Winner Class 1 Trio
There is no timescale. Players who are awarded the BCCA Candidate Master Title will be presented with a Title Certificate and a Silver Medal.
Players can begin to accumulate points from every tournament that commences from 1 February 2011 onwards. So, when you receive your Renewal form with the summer issue of the magazine, please bear in mind these opportunities. Remember, when a Title is obtained, it can never be taken away from you!
Each quarter, the magazine will display the accumulated point’s total of every player who has at least one point.
I very much hope players enjoy working towards these new Titles.
Neil Limbert