Following the success of the Inaugural BCA Remote New Year Cup earlier this year, we are pleased to announce that we’re having another one in 2027. We hope it will become a regular feature in the BCA calendar of events! The format will be essentially the same as the 2026 event. There will be five rounds in which games are played on any mutually agreed internet-based platform such as Zoom, Lichess, Jitsi, WhatsApp, or by telephone.  The default platform will be Zoom as most members find this accessible and people without internet access can dial into meetings.  Players for whom Zoom is genuinely inaccessible should mention this when entering and if possible special arrangements will be made to accommodate their participation.

The event will run for twelve weeks with two weeks allowed for Rounds 1, 3, 4 and 5, and four weeks allowed for Round 2 because many players will be at the Chess Theme Break during that time.  Games are played at a mutually convenient time agreed by the two players.  Ideally, there should be a third-party timekeeper for each game unless it is played on a dedicated chess server such as Lichess.  The time control is 90 minutes per player for all the moves. Players may take a half point bye in any one of the first four rounds and will be able to request this when entering or arrange it at fairly short notice.  The arbiter will be James Connors.

The New Year Cup will be open to all members and associate members of the BCA, including those who are overseas.  Entry is free.  Depending on the entries, we may be able to incorporate a Ladies’ section and a Challengers’ section for those whose ECF online standard play rating or estimated rating is below the cutoff point, which is likely to be around 1700.  Trophies will be awarded to section winners, provided they are based in the

UK or can arrange to collect the trophy at one of our over the board events within twelve months.  Trophies will not be posted to overseas winners, but a certificate can be issued in lieu of a trophy.

The tournament will be a friendly and fairly informal event.  We urge members and associate members to “have a go” regardless of their playing strength.  Results will be sent for rating in the ECF Online Rating system.

We hope the New Year Cup will attract the Summer Cup regulars as well as some newcomers!  To enter please complete the online form https://braillechess.org.uk/events/nyc-2027-entry-form by Friday 25th December 2026.  The form is the preferred method of entering.  If you cannot use the form, you may send your entry to the organiser, Julie Leonard on organiser.newyearcup@braillechess.org.uk giving your full contact details, your location or time zone if you’re not in the UK and stating which playing platforms you can use.  You must also give consent for your contact details to be shared with all 2027 New Year Cup players and arbiters and for rating information to be sent to the ECF.