Shropshire Chess Association general secretary Colin Roberts has urged Shropshire chess players to study closely in advance a series of complex rule changes which are going before tomorrow’s association AGM.

The proposals on the table would firm up the rules governing the use of substitutes and replacements.

There are also amendments in relation to smoking in the playing area, and relating to correct procedure when a player stops the clocks and claims a draw.

Recent league seasons have passed with few if any disputes or incidents, but the league season just gone was unusually contentious, and the proposed changes are clearly a result.

The existing rules governing replacements are already quite involved, but an added edge has been added to the debate because of a perception among some teams that a certain amount of sharp practice was going on during the season.

The rules governing the circumstances in which players can claim a draw have also been the subject of different interpretations.

“There has been a lot of discussion already about these amendments and I would be grateful if everyone can read them beforehand as further discussion and amendments are likely at the meeting,” said Roberts.

Another key item at the meeting will be the election of officials, which has in the past turned into a struggle to fill key posts.

One such post is falling vacant, as Richard Thompson gave notice a year ago that he would be stepping down as league controller. Thompson originally stepped into the breach to save Shropshire league chess because nobody else would do the job, and there is a danger that league chess will plunge into crisis if no replacement is found.

Details of the proposed rule changes are on www.shropshirechess.org, the Shropshire chess website.

The AGM is at Shifnal & Telford Chess Club at the Nedge Tavern, Stirchley, Telford, tomorrow at 7.30pm.

By Toby Neal