jamaica chess federation RULES

Criteria and Procedure for JCF Annual Awards

JAMAICA CHESS FEDERATION (“JCF”)

CRITERIA AND PROCEDURE FOR ANNUAL AWARDS

1. The awards below shall be given by the JCF to its members in recognition of their performances in various capacities, including as administrators and players. The relevant period under review will be, unless indicated otherwise, a calendar year, namely January 1- December 31.

2. SENIOR ANALYST OF THE YEAR -

(a) The individual who has analysed and circulated to the public, previously or at the time the individual is being nominated for this award, at least twenty (20) games in a regular calendar year (January 1 to December 31) whether or not these games include games played by the individual or are rated locally or by FIDE;

(b) Of the games analysed there must be at least six (6) victories by “White” and six (6) victories by “Black”.

(c) Persons may use local databases or international ones (such as Chessbase or Mega Database) and computer engines or programmes (such as Fritz, Houdini, Rybka or Stockfish) to help with their analyses;

(d) No assistance by another (human) person is allowed; and

(e) If more than one person satisfies the above criteria the judges (Selection Committee) will determine the awardee based on, inter alia, (i) the total number of analysed games - the more games analysed the better; (ii) the types of games analysed (more important games will be given preference - for example, games from a National Championship event and Open sections of events instead of from the Intermediate section of an Open tournament); and (iii) the quality of the analyses including comments.

3. JUNIOR ANALYST OF THE YEAR -

(a) The individual who, being a junior player pursuant to the JCF’s definition of a “junior”, has analysed and circulated to the public, previously or at the time the individual is being nominated for this award, at least ten (10) games in a regular calendar year (January 1 to December 31) whether or not these games include games played by the individual or are rated locally or by FIDE;

(b) Of the games analysed there must be at least three (3) victories by “White” and three (3) victories by “Black”; and

4. JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR -

(a) The individual who has written and published or caused to be published, previously or at the time the individual is being nominated for this award, chess material (apart from chess analyses) in various media including newspapers, social media platforms and websites;

(b) This “chess material” includes reports on tournaments or other events or on individuals primarily concerning chess;

(c) The more chess material published the better the author’s chances to win the award although one publication may be enough to win depending on its significance; and

(d) If more than one person satisfies the above criteria the judges (Selection Committee) will determine the winner based on, inter alia, (i) the total number of chess material written and published; (ii) the reach of the material, for instance the exposure to as wide an audience, international or otherwise, as possible; (iii) the scope of the material covered (more important events will be given preference); and (iv) the quality of the chess material with emphasis on the accuracy of the information and the absence of mistakes in the grammar etc.

5. “JUNIOR” JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR -

(a) The individual, being a “junior”, who has written and published or caused to be published, previously or at the time the individual is being nominated for this award, chess material (apart from chess analyses) in various media including newspapers, social media platforms and websites;

(b) This “chess material” includes reports on tournaments or other events or on individuals primarily concerning chess;

(c) The more chess material published the better the author’s chances to win the award although one publication may be enough to win depending on its significance; and

6. FAIRPLAY AWARD -

(a) To be awarded to the individual who, throughout the calendar year (January 1- December 31) has consistently adhered to the laws of chess including, but not limited to, the following - (i) not disturbing an opponent in any way; (ii) not making unmeritorious claims; and (iii) writing, and submitting in a timely manner, legible score sheets;

(b) To qualify for consideration an individual must have demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship consistent with the spirit of the game. Without breaching the laws of chess or the rules of a particular event, this can include allowing a game to be played so that an opponent will not be forfeited;

(c) To qualify for consideration an individual must not have agreed to a “quick draw” (less than thirty moves by each player) in the final three (3) rounds of any tournament, particularly if any such draws will affect the outcome of the event or the distribution of prizes, whether cash or otherwise. PROVIDED HOWEVER such an individual will not be excluded from consideration if there were proven extenuating circumstances, such as illness, which led to the “quick draw”;

(d) Any one example or incident or a combination of examples or incidents can be considered to determine the awardee;

(e) If more than one person satisfies the above criteria the judges (Selection Committee) will determine the awardee based on, inter alia, (i) the total number of instances of sportsmanship; (ii) the effect of the sportsmanship displayed on any particular event or individual; and (iii) the number of persons who witnessed the display of sportsmanship and its effect on them; and

(f) For each tournament organized by the JCF, the tournament director shall, within fourteen (14) days of the end of the tournament, submit a report to the JCF Secretary highlighting any act of outstanding sportsmanship by a player. This is to ensure that there is evidence or material to justify the award. Any such information supplied to the JCF Secretary shall be forwarded, within fourteen (14) days of receipt by the Secretary, to the Committee that will select the awardees.

PROVIDED HOWEVER that in the absence of a tournament director the Chairperson of the tournament committee, or his delegate, shall have the responsibility of noting the relevant information and submitting the report to the Secretary.

7. PLAYER-OF-THE-YEAR (ABSOLUTE) -

As ratified by the JCF Council at its meeting on August 30, 2014, the person who has accumulated the most points at the end of a regular calendar year (January - December 31) based on the following points system-

Local Tournaments (Absolute and Women’s Jamaica Chess Championships)
1st - 30 points
2nd - 20 points
3rd - 10 points

Open Tournaments
1st - 15 points
2nd - 10 points
3rd - 5 points

International Tournaments (Including the World Juniors, World Youth Sub-Zonals, Zonals)

1st - 60 points
2nd - 40 points
3rd - 20 points

TITLES

A player will receive bonus points according for any of the following titles received during the year under review -

Woman National Master - 15 points
Woman Candidate Master - 25 points
Woman FIDE Master - 30 points
Woman International Master - 50 points
Woman Grandmaster (or norm) - 100 points
National Master - 20 points
Super National Master - 35 points
(FIDE) Candidate Master - 50 points
FIDE Master - 100 points
International Master - 150 points
Grandmaster (or norm) - 200 points

8. PLAYER-OF-THE-YEAR (FEMALE) - The person who has accumulated the most points at the end of a regular calendar year (January - December 31) based on the above points system.

9. PLAYER-OF-THE-YEAR (JUNIORS) - The person with the highest established local rating at the end of a regular calendar year (January 1- December 31) who has played at least eighteen (18) games rated by the JCF or FIDE at the classical time limit.

NB: There will be separate awards for male and female players in the following age categories - 8 and under; 9-10; 11-12; 13-14; 15-16; 17-18; and 19-20.

10. HIGHEST LOCAL RATING INCREASE (Formerly most improved player) - JUNIOR AND SENIOR AWARDS FOR BOTH MALES AND FEMALES) - A player, with an established rating, with the greatest rating gain during the calendar year (January 1- December 31).

11. HIGHEST FIDE RATING INCREASE (Formerly most improved player) - JUNIOR AND SENIOR AWARDS FOR BOTH MALES AND FEMALES) - A player, with an established FIDE rating, with the greatest rating gain during the calendar year (January 1- December 31).

12. MOST ACTIVE PLAYER (JUNIOR AND SENIOR AWARDS FOR BOTH MALES AND FEMALES) - The player with the most rated games during the calendar year (January 1- December 31). PROVIDED HOWEVER that if two or more persons tie then the player with the higher/highest rating improvement over the period will be given the award.

13. BEST NEW PLAYER (MALE AND FEMALE AWARDS) - An unrated player, or one without an established rating, with the greatest rating gain during the calendar year (January 1-December 31). NB: This applies to juniors and seniors.

14. SCHOOL OF THE YEAR - The school that had the most participants in the open tournaments organized by the JCF during the calendar year (January 1-December 31).

15. LOCAL MASTER TITLES - Special recognition shall be given by the JCF (whether by a certificate, plaque, trophy or otherwise) to any individual who attains the ”Woman National Master”, National Master” or “Super National Master” titles during the period under review.

16. INTERNATIONAL TITLES - Special recognition shall be given by the JCF (whether by a certificate, plaque, trophy or otherwise) to any individual who, during the period under review, attains any of the following international titles - “Candidate Master”, “Woman Candidate Master, “FIDE Master”, “Woman FIDE Master”, “International Master”, “Woman International Master”, “Grandmaster” and “Woman Grandmaster”.

17. ARBITER TITLES - Special recognition shall be given by the JCF (whether by a certificate, plaque, trophy or otherwise) to any individual who, during the period under review, attains any of the following arbiter titles - “National Arbiter”, “FIDE Arbiter” or “International Arbiter”.

18. ARBITER AWARDS - The JCF may give an award (whether by a certificate, plaque, trophy or otherwise) to any individual who officiates in any “international” event (including the World Chess Olympiad) during the period under review.

19. TRAINER TITLES - Special recognition shall be given by the JCF (whether by a certificate, plaque, trophy or otherwise) to any individual who, during the period under review, attains any coaching or trainer title including - “FIDE Trainer” or “FIDE Instructor”.

20. COACH OF THE YEAR - The winner of this award shall satisfy the following criteria:

(a) be a member of the JCF in good standing;
(b) be certified as a coach by the JCF;
(c) be the person who has coached the most award winners during the relevant period under review, such persons having won awards based on the criteria stated herein. NB: As part of the registration process and prior to each event, every player must indicate who is his/her coach. PROVIDED HOWEVER only one coach can be registered per player; and
(d) not be subject to any disciplinary action during the period under review.

21. INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION - Special recognition shall be given by the JCF (whether by a certificate, plaque, trophy or otherwise) in its sole discretion to any individual who, during the period under review, represented Jamaica (whether as an “official” administrator, coach, player or otherwise) at international events, whether held locally or otherwise. These events include the World Chess Olympiad, Sub-Zonals, Zonals, World Juniors, World Youth, CARIFTA, CAC Youth Chess Festival and any other tournament which the Council may from time to time decide is relevant.

22. With reference to Chapter 20 of the Bye-Laws (“Awards Ceremony”) the JCF shall do its best to ensure that the Annual Awards Ceremony for a particular year is held no later than the 31st day of March in the following year. If this is not possible due to force majeure, logistical or other good reason, the awards ceremony must be held as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter before the 30th June.

23. No person or organization shall be eligible for an award if he, she or it has been found guilty of any disciplinary breach or offence (regarding the JCF) during the year under review, whether or not that breach or offence was committed during the said year.

24. Only members of the JCF in good standing are eligible to be nominated for, or to receive, any award. For the avoidance of doubt, “good standing” means that that the individual does not owe any membership dues to the JCF or has any other outstanding obligation, financial or otherwise, to the JCF.

PROVIDED HOWEVER that the Council, in its sole discretion, may allow an individual to receive an award if he or she achieves “good standing” status before the expiration of the period for the submission of nominations and is duly nominated or the Council believes that there are extenuating circumstances which should allow the individual to be nominated.
25. For persons to be eligible for any award he or she must be nominated by another individual or an organization.

26. Each nomination must be by way of submission of a completed form to the Secretary of the JCF or other appropriately designated person. The relevant form is to be provided by the JCF via its website or any other convenient medium accessible to its members.

27. Nominations for awards such as Analyst, Fairplay and Journalist, which will not necessarily be determined by objective criteria herein, must be submitted to the JCF no later than the 31st January of the year following the period or year under consideration.

28. During December of each year, and no later than the 31st December, the JCF shall publish to its membership via its website and/or otherwise the list of possible awards, the criteria for the said awards and notification of the deadline for submission of nominations.

29. After the passage of the 31st January deadline the Secretary of the JCF shall within seven (7) days, or as soon as is reasonably practicable, forward all the nominations received to the Selection Committee that will consider and determine the awardees.

30. The Selection Committee upon receipt of the said nominations from the Secretary shall meet and choose the various awardees within fourteen (14) days thereafter or as soon as is reasonably practicable.

31. The Selection Committee’s decisions are to be submitted to the Executive Council of the JCF for ratification, the Council having the sole and final decision as to whether, and to whom, any particular award should be issued.

32. After ratification by the Executive Council of the JCF, the Secretary is to notify the awardees as soon as is reasonably practicable so that they can make any necessary, or special, arrangements to attend the Annual Awards Ceremony.

33. Where convenient, or possible, the Annual Awards Ceremony is to be held with the Chess Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.

Jamaica Chess Federation
30th September, 2017

(Improved from criteria in place on 18th December, 2011, 26th September, 2014 and 6th March, 2016, respectively)