Tournaments

Friendly, casual games of chess are available most nights but in addition the club runs three tournaments throughout the season:

The Hereford Club Championship  - a qualifying competition for the Herefordshire County Championship

This is the club's principal tournament.  It runs on a league basis throughout the season.  The winner is declared the club champion and earns te right to compete with the champions of other clubs for the title of Herefordshire County Champion.  The winner's name is engraved on the respective trophies which the winner holds for the year ahead.  In recent years the format has enabled the award of Hereford 'Major' and 'Minor' Champions as well as the overall Hereford Club Champion.

The Leslie Baker Swiss Tournament

This is a five round tournament played on selected evenings throughout the season with pairings based on the 'swiss' pairing system.  A trophy is presented to the winner and held for the year ahead.

The Hereford Premier Knock Out  - incoprprating the Hereford 'Plate'

This is a simple knockout tournament with rounds scheduled throughout the season.  The winner has his or her name engraved in perpetuity on the club's 'Premier' Knockout chessboard

The Hereford 'Plate' Knock Out

This is a tournament for those who lose in the first round of the Premier Knockout - again with rounds scheduled throughout the season.  The winner has his or her name engraved in perpetuity on the club's 'Plate' Knockout chessboard.

Formal ECF Graded Challenge Matches can also be played at the club.

The playing rules for all Hereford Club Tournaments are posted below...