05-04-2012, 03:25 PM
It is common practice in every League I have ever played in to have some flexibility in board order, SNCL is 50 points, Glasgow League 60 points, 4NCL has it, all team events in Europe have it. I really can't understand the argument that the rule is not fair. What's to say in a few years that Hamilton players will not be within 50 points, you will not find us complaining then. 
The only reason Hamilton actually change board order is to give each of us a shot in playing on the top board and to get a better game, really has very little to do with picking and choosing opponents and even if it did it is part and parcel of team competitions!
With regards to the Richardson the current rules from CS website state "The order of players in each team shall be that of current playing strength. After team lists are exchanged, the captains shall toss for choice of colour at board one. The move at the remaining boards shall alternate accordingly"
This probably needs some clarification, current playing strength is not necessarily the same as current published grade.
The only reason Hamilton actually change board order is to give each of us a shot in playing on the top board and to get a better game, really has very little to do with picking and choosing opponents and even if it did it is part and parcel of team competitions!
With regards to the Richardson the current rules from CS website state "The order of players in each team shall be that of current playing strength. After team lists are exchanged, the captains shall toss for choice of colour at board one. The move at the remaining boards shall alternate accordingly"
This probably needs some clarification, current playing strength is not necessarily the same as current published grade.