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1 The objects of the Individual Tournaments shall be to encourage the playing of chess, and the enhancement of playing standards, among individual Club members (and, subject to Rule 5(b) below, certain non-members), by providing an appropriate forum where competitive chess can be played.

2 The following tournaments shall be held annually, subject to sufficient entries:-

3 The Secretary of the Club or an Assistant Secretary approved for the purpose (hereinafter called “the Tournament Secretary”) shall be responsible for the overall organisation of the Tournaments. The Tournament Secretary may appoint a deputy (hereinafter called “the Deputy Tournament Secretary”). The Tournament Secretary or, in his absence, the Deputy Tournament Secretary, shall have the powers and duties specified in these Rules, including. the day-to-day control of the Tournaments.

Championship	First Prize Ł50, Second Prize Ł25, Third Prize Ł15
Major Tournament	First Prize Ł30, Second Prize Ł20
Minor Tournament	First Prize Ł25, Second Prize Ł15

(b) In addition, the Executive Committee may from time to time resolve to extend entry to one or more of the Tournaments to such players qualified to play for any team eligible to compete in the Combined Banks and Insurance Chess League as the Executive Committee may decide.

6 The entry fee for the Championship shall be Ł10 for Club Members and Ł12.50 for non-members. The entry fee for the Major and the Minor shall be Ł5 for Club Members and Ł7.50 for non-members.

7 Entries must be addressed in writing to the Tournament Secretary and must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee. For Club Members the entrant's annual subscription to the Club must also accompany the entry, unless it has already been paid. Cheques should be made payable to the Insurance Chess Club.

8 The Tournament Secretary shall each year prescribe a date (the “entry date”) by which entries shall be received. Shortly after the entry date, the Tournament Secretary shall allocate entrants to the different tournaments, Such allocation shall be at his entire discretion, except that the winner of a tournament in the preceding year shall have the right to play in the next tournament above (subject, in the case of non-members, to their eligibility to do so). Each tournament shall be conducted as an all-play-all event, using Berger pairings, unless in exceptional circumstances the Tournament Secretary shall decide otherwise.

9 As soon as possible after the entry date the Tournament Secretary shall appoint dates on which individual games are to be played. Every effort should be made by competitors to play games on the dates appointed.

10 If a player cannot play a game on the appointed date he may contact the Tournament Secretary on or before the appointed date and request dispensation to play the game on another date, acceptable to both the Tournament Secretary and his opponent. The game will generally have to be played within one month of the originally appointed date. If one of the players does not request dispensation to play the game on a different date the game shall be awarded to his opponent, as long as his opponent had presented himself at the game venue on the appointed date. If neither player has requested dispensation, and neither presents himself at the game venue on the appointed date, the game shall be forfeited by both players.

11 Should an entrant withdraw from a tournament, each of his unplayed games shall be recorded as won by his opponent, unless he has played less than half his games, in which case his games shall be annulled. In exceptional circumstances, the Tournament Secretary shall be empowered to decide otherwise.

12 Except where specifically provided in these Rules, the FIDE Laws of Chess shall apply to all games.

13 The time limits shall be 30 moves in 1 hour 15 minutes. After the completion of Black's 30^th move each clock shall be set back by 20 minutes and the game completed in the remaining time under Quickplay finish rules. If, however, before the start of a game in the Championship, both players wish to use time limits of 36 moves in 1 hour 30 minutes, followed by a 15 minutes' Quickplay finish, they may do so. If only one player wishes to use these time limits the normal Championship time limits of 30 moves in 1 hour 15 minutes, followed by a 20 minutes' Quickplay finish, shall apply.

14 The result of each game is to be communicated by the winner (or the player having the white pieces in the event of a draw) to the Tournament Secretary within seven days of completion.

15 In the event of a tie for first place in any tournament, a play-off shall be held to determine the winner. If two players tie, the play-off shall consist of two games with each player having the white pieces in one game. If three or more players tie, each shall play one game against each of the others with colours specified by the Tournament Secretary. In the event that two or more players remain tied after the play-off games, the Tournament Secretary shall decide whether any further tie-splitting games shall be played, or whether the tournament first prize shall be shared. The Tournament Secretary shall specify the dates on which the play-off games are to be played.

16 Tournament trophies shall be presented at the Club's Annual General Meeting and may be held by the winner until required, for engraving or otherwise, prior to the following Annual General Meeting. Trophies remain the property of the Club, apart from any miniature trophies which may be awarded to winners of the Championship, whose property they become.

17 Any dispute in connection with a tournament, whether regarding the application or interpretation of these Rules or otherwise, shall be referred in the first instance to the Tournament Secretary. No appeal against his decision shall be considered unless the appeal is submitted in writing within 14 days to the Tournament Secretary, stating the grounds for appeal. The appeal shall then be considered by the Executive Committee of the Club, and the decision of the Executive Committee shall be final.

18 In any situation for which these Rules do not provide, the matter shall be determined by the Tournament Secretary, who shall have regard to any precedent.

19 Any amendment to these Rules shall be made by the Executive Committee of the Club, who shall have regard to any recommendations from the Tournament Secretary.