All BFCC members are entitled to take part in ICCF tournaments. You can enter online direct with ICCF (http://www.iccf-webchess.com/) or you can pay via the BFCC which is a little cheaper. If paying via the BFCC, you can pay online at this site if you have a PayPal account (see "Tournament Entry") or you can send a cheque to the appropriate official.
ICCF Promotion Tournaments
The ICCF promotion tournaments are organised in three classes: Master, Higher and Open and are available either by web server or by post; and both World and European sections are offered. Open and Higher class tournaments are 7-player, all-play all with one game against each opponent; Master class tournaments are similar, but with 11 players. The winner of each Open class section is promoted to Higher class; the winner of each Higher class section is promoted to Master class. The winner of each Master class section earns the right to play in the semi-final of the World Championship or, for European sections, of the European Championship. All promotion sections are rated by ICCF.
New Players
New entrants normally start in Open class, but players with a strong track record may start in Higher or Master with BFCC approval. As a guideline, a rating of 1900+ (BCF 160+) would be needed for Higher Class, and a rating of 2100+ (BCF 185+) for Master Class.
ICCF Thematic Tournaments
ICCF also offers thematic tournaments, with one or two themes starting every six weeks or so. Again, play is all-play-all but with two games against each opponent in sections of 5 to 7 players. Most themes have a preliminary round and then a final, but the most popular ones require a semi-final stage as well. Thematic tournaments are not rated by ICCF.
Strong Players
For the seriously strong player, ICCF also offers Master Norm tournaments in which IM title norms are available. The qualification rules are strict; entry is limited to players:
- who have a fixed ICCF rating of 2300+ (2100+ for ladies)
- who have a not-fixed ICCF rating or a FIDE rating of 2350+ (2150+ for ladies)
- who have placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the British Correspondence Championship, or have won the British Ladies' Championship.
However, in practice players who fall within 20-30 points of the rating qualification can enter too, but must accept that they may have to wait significantly longer for a section.
Entry Fees
Entry via 'Direct Entry (DE) is automated through the ICCF Webserver. When paying by cheque please ensure it is made payable to BFCC.
