The EBU selection committee would like to provide an update on the trials processes for the women’s, seniors and mixed teams.
All of the formats are based on current numbers, and are subject to change if the number of entrants change following the results of an earlier trial.
There are currently no exemptions in any category, but this may also change if the number of entrants varies.
Mixed Teams: Venue tbc
The teams trial to be held from 2nd-5th February 2024 will consist of a two-day Round Robin (9x12 board matches) followed by a one-day semi-final (64 boards)and a one-day final (64 boards).
At the end of the Round Robin, the leading team will ordinarily choose their semi-final opponent from the third and fourth placed teams. However, the team finishing second is permitted to opt into the choice of opponents for the winning team.
It is hoped that the semi-final and final will be played with the use of tablets.
All players will be required to play at least 50% of the boards in each stage (at least 4 of 9 matches in the Round Robin).
The overall winners of the trial will qualify to represent England at the European Championships.
If the winning team consists of 4 players, then the winning team will add a third pair from the teams that finished in the top four of the Round Robin stage. This pair will be added in consultation with the Selection Committee.
The entry fee for the trial is £600 per team.
Women: Venues tbc
Stage one, which is to be held from 9th-11th February 2024, will be a Round Robin (9x16 board matches).
Stage two will be held from 2nd-3rd March 2024 and will be a head-to-head final between two teams of four (112 boards).
At the end of the Round Robin, the top three pairs will be guaranteed to qualify to stage two. The winners of stage one may pick their teammates from any of the pairs who were in the top five of the Round Robin. The next highest pair will then pick their teammates, but the proviso that the top three pairs are guaranteed to qualify for stage two means that if the top pair chooses to play with the fourth or fifth-ranked pair, then the second-ranked pair would be required to choose the third-ranked pair.
It is hoped that the final will be played with tablets.
The overall winners of the trial will qualify to represent England at the European Championships.
The winning team will add a third pair from the pairs that finished in the top five of the Round Robin stage
This pair will be added in consultation with the Selection Committee.
The entry fee for the trial is £175 per player.
Seniors: Venues tbc
Stage one which is to be held from 8th-10th March 2024 will be a Round Robin (9x16 board matches).
Stage two will be held from 6th-7th April 2024 and will be a head-to-head final between two teams of four (112 boards).
At the end of the Round Robin, the top three pairs will be guaranteed to qualify to stage two. The winners of stage one may pick their teammates from any of the pairs who were in the top five of the Round Robin. The next highest pair will then pick their teammates, but the proviso that the top three pairs are guaranteed to qualify for stage two means that if the top pair chooses to play with the fourth or fifth-ranked pair, then the second-ranked pair would be required to choose the third-ranked pair.
It is hoped that the final will be played with tablets.
The overall winners of the trial will qualify to represent England at the European Championships.
The winning team will add a third pair from the pairs that finished in the top five of the Round Robin stage
This pair will be added in consultation with the Selection Committee.
The entry fee for the trial is £175 per player.
November 6, 2023