English Chess Federation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids  |
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| Abbreviation | ECF |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | British Chess Federation |
| Established | 2005 |
| Purpose | Sport administration |
| Location | |
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Region served
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England |
| Leader | Mike Truran |
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Main organ
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Chess Moves |
| Affiliations | FIDE, European Chess Union |
The English Chess Federation (often called the ECF) is the main group that organizes and manages chess in England. It works closely with FIDE, which is the worldwide chess organization. The ECF started in 2004. It took over from an older group called the British Chess Federation (BCF), which began way back in 1904.
Contents
How the ECF Started: A Brief History
From 1904 until 2005, the British Chess Federation (BCF) was in charge of chess in England. The BCF replaced an even older group called the British Chess Association (BCA). At first, the BCF managed chess rules and player ratings across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Why the Change to ECF?
Over time, other areas like Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and the Channel Islands formed their own chess groups. This meant the BCF mostly looked after chess only in England. It also organized the important British Chess Championship.
In 2004, chess leaders in England decided it made more sense to have a group specifically for England. So, they created the ECF. This change officially happened at the start of the 2005/2006 chess season.
What Happened to the Old Group?
When the English Chess Federation was created, it took on all the resources and people from the old BCF. The BCF still existed for a short time for legal reasons, but its website eventually closed down. This change helped make the organization more open and could help get more support and members.
What the ECF Does: Activities and Events
The ECF runs many important chess activities in England. They help make sure chess is fun and fair for everyone.
Organizing Chess Championships
The ECF organizes the British Chess Championships. These championships have been held every year since 1904. The only times they didn't happen were during world wars and in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because the ECF took over from the BCF, they now also give out special titles. These include "English Champion" and "English Ladies Champion."
Player Ratings and Membership
The ECF keeps track of player ratings for those who play in official competitions in England. This is part of the ECF grading system. There are two main ways to get an ECF rating. Players can pay a yearly fee to become a direct member of the ECF.
Since 2005, players can also join through a local Membership Organization (MO). In some parts of England, where these local groups are not common, non-members pay a small fee for each ECF game they play.
Leadership and International Teams
The people who run the ECF are chosen through elections. These elections happen every one or three years. The current CEO (Chief Executive Officer) is Mike Truran. A well-known journalist and chess player, Dominic Lawson, is the current president.
The ECF also chooses and helps pay for the English teams that compete in big international events. These include the Chess Olympiad and the European Team Chess Championship. Sometimes, individual players also get support to compete in important events overseas, like the World Junior Chess Championships.
Keeping Members Informed
The ECF used to send out a paper newsletter called Chess Moves to its members. Since mid-2016, they switched to a monthly online newsletter. They also share articles and event reviews on their website. In December 2022, the online newsletter went back to being called ChessMoves.
More to Explore
- International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF)
- Geography of chess
