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5th PORTISHEAD JUNIOR RAPIDPLAY
1st NOVEMBER 2025

SOMERSET HALL

THE PRECINCT, HIGH ST

PORTISHEAD, BS20 6AH

MOBILE: 07974365006​​

 

ORGANISERS:                JANE NORTON

                                         IAIN BOURNE

                                         ZAHRA IRVING

 

CHIEF ARBITER:            CHRIS STRONG

 

ARBITERS:                    GEORGE MILLER

                                       SASHA MATLAK

                                       BAPTISTE SUESCUN

                                       SJ QUIGLEY

                                       IAIN BOURNE

                                   

TREASURER:               JANE NORTON

 

FRIENDS of PORTISHEAD CHESS CLUB will support the non-chess aspects of the event.

 

ARRIVAL TIMES

 

Players age 10+ from 9.15am - 9.30am Players under 10 from 9.30am to 9.45am. This will help us to manage the queues and efficiently check in all players.

 

LANYARDS

 

Each player will be given a lanyard on arrival. Please ensure this is worn by the players and always kept visible, as it will be used to determine photo consent and consent to leave the venue unaccompanied. These must be handed to a volunteer on exit, and will be handed back on re-entry, and must be returned at the end of the tournament.

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USE OF THE BUILDING

www.somerset.hall@n-somerset.gov.uk">www.somerset.hall@n-somerset.gov.uk

 

There is free Wi-Fi within the building and plenty of space within the Refreshment Area, Parents’ Area and Playing Hall - all close by on the same floor. Please keep the noise down when play is in progress. There is seating within the Playing Hall for spectators but only players and officials may enter the playing area itself.

 

There are plenty of free car parks within walking distance (check as some are restricted to 2 hours) and off-street parking nearby.

 

COMMUNICATION

 

There is a WhatsApp group (https://chat.whatsapp.com/GKSCUFSLkgN8RkRgWgvnY6) for the tournament where precise timings will be posted together with other current tournament information and an opportunity for parents to ask questions, make suggestions, communicate with the organisers etc. You are welcome to join this group now to post any questions and stay up to date.

 

Players, Pairings and Results can be found at:

 https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1279691.aspx?lan=1&art=0&SNode=S0

Parents: please check as soon as you can that your child is in the correct age group. Children can elect to play in groups for older players if we are informed in advance.

 

The top board game will be relayed live at

 https://view.livechesscloud.com/#177b798c-4849-4166-a6c6-3cb7b333701c

and also be relayed to the Refreshment Area where a strong player will discuss the game with those who are interested.

 

REFRESHMENTS

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There is plenty of space for everyone at Somerset Hall and parents can sit in the refreshment area on the same floor. Light refreshments can be bought from Portishead Chess Club at the serving hatch, and it would really help us if you can make full use of this.

 

SCHEDULE

 

Please arrive by 9.45. A full briefing will be given to all the players and their guardians and Round 1 will start soon after and subsequent rounds will begin 15 mins after the last game of the preceding round.  There will be a longer break for lunch. We are keeping the precise timings fluid to avoid over-long delays between rounds. Prize-giving will be as soon as possible after the last round has been completed.

 

TOURNAMENT

 

The tournament is a 6 round Swiss (meaning that each round players will be paired with an opponent on the same or similar score). Players will play in all 6 rounds.

 

Each player will have 15 minutes on the clock plus an extra 5 seconds for each move played. Although this is technically called Rapidplay please advise your children not to rush their moves as many will have far more time than they are used to. Very few players lose on time. Most lose because they are rushing their moves – and they will spend a long time wondering what to do before the next round!

 

This is a rated tournament meaning that the results will be submitted to the English Chess Federation and will contribute to the players’ Rapidplay Ratings. Tournament rules and conditions apply (e.g., “touch move”) and these will be explained during the pre-tournament briefing. If a player has any questions or concerns, they should simply put their hand up and an arbiter will come over and assist.

 

PRIZES

There will be trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places and for each age group. There will also be prizes for “special achievements" and all players will receive a certificate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAFEGUARDING

 

Portishead Chess Club can only be responsible for the welfare of the children while playing chess in the tournament rooms. At all other times and places there must be a responsible adult to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

 

RAPIDPLAY GUIDANCE

FOR PLAYERS

 

Our most important priority is that the children enjoy themselves and are encouraged to continue their chess journey. For many it will be their first “official” tournament and so we will do our best to explain everything to them. It is, however, an ECF rated tournament and will be run as such, although with some leniency to players in the younger age groups.

 

1. At the beginning of each round the players will be told to “start white’s clock”.

2. The players shake hands and the player with the black pieces starts white’s clock (this will be explained).

3. After playing a move, the player then presses their clock (with the same hand that moved the piece) which stops their time from being recorded and starts their opponent’s clock. That way only the player’s thinking time is recorded.

4. Each player has 15 minutes on the clock and each time they play a move and press their clock they are awarded a further 5 seconds. This is much more time than most players ever take and only very rarely does a player lose on time.

5. Should a player overstep the time limit, it is their opponent’s responsibility to claim a win. It is “touch move” – that is if a player touches a piece, they must move it (again it is their opponent’s responsibility to point this out). Note: when castling, the player should pick up the King first not the Rook.

6. If there is a dispute between players (e.g. an illegal move has been played) it is permissible to stop the clock, and the players should raise their hands. An Arbiter will come over and assist.

7. If a player makes an illegal move their opponent should raise their hand and bring this to the attention of an Arbiter. Two illegal moves lose the game but only if this is brought to the attention of an Arbiter

8. If a player needs to go to the toilet, they should put their hand up and they will be escorted to the toilets. The clock, however, should not be stopped.

9. If a player has any concerns, they should simply raise their hand, and an Arbiter will come over and help.Parents must not intervene.

10. At the end of a game, the players should shake hands, remain seated and raise their hands. An Arbiter will come over, record the result and then the players should reset the pieces and leave the Playing Hall.

11. NO MOBILE PHONES! If a player has a phone on them and it makes a sound during play, they risk being penalised with the loss of the game.

12. Results and pairings will be posted on the WhatsApp Group and on Chess-Results.com – the links are provided above (see COMMUNICATIONS)
     

PARKING IN PORTISHEAD


It's annoying when you go to a chess event and end up with a £100 parking ticket! Here are some helpful and low-cost options for parking in Portishead on Saturday.

1. Martingale Way (Best Option – Free All Day)
Drive along Harbour Road and take the first left after Wetherspoons into Martingale Way. As you drive up, you’ll see several car parks owned by Alliance Homes. These are office car parks, but the signs clearly state that parking is restricted only Monday to Friday during office hours — the rest of the time, anyone can park there for free.

There are loads of empty spaces all around the Alliance car parks. If you park there, just set your phone’s Google Maps to 'Somerset Hall, Portishead.' It’s a very short walk — simply cross the road towards Waitrose, then cut through the side of Waitrose towards the library, and Somerset Hall is directly opposite. It’s less than a five minute walk, and this is probably the best and cheapest option in town.

2. Lidl / Waitrose Car Park (Limited Free Parking)
Between Lidl and Waitrose there’s a shared car park. If you drive to the back row, you’ll often find free spaces. If there aren’t any, you can:
• Use the JustPark app (sometimes shown as Just Parking) to pre-book all day parking at Waitrose for around £5.75; or
• Head to the Alliance Homes car parks mentioned above for free all day parking.

 

3. Two Hour Short Stay Options (Aldi, Lidl, etc.)
If you only need to drop off or pick up, you can use Aldi, Lidl, or other supermarket car parks for up to two hours free. This works well if you just want to park briefly while children start their first games, then move your car afterwards.

 

ENJOY!
Portishead Chess Club