In common with many other clubs, we use the Neuberg method to score pairs events. This comes into play when different boards are played a different number of times - perhaps because the movement is not completed or because a board has to be averaged. The purpose is to give equal weight to each board played.

For those of you who are interested (and don't already know!), the formula is as follows:

Adjusted score = L = [(M x E) + E - A]/A

where

• M = the match points scored by a pair based on the actual number of times the board was played
• A = the actual number of times the board was played
• E = the "expected" number of times the board was played - this is the same for all boards in the session.

(The published scores are rounded if necessary to avoid showing a silly number of decimal places, but in the event of a close result the unrounded scores would be used.)

A consistent approach is adopted in club competitions which cover more than one weekly session, so that each board continues to be given equal weight irrespective of whether there are say 5 tables or 8 tables in a particular week.

In this case the adjusted score for a session is

[(L x S) + N(S - E)]/E

where

• L = a pair's actual score in match points for the session, as defined above
• N = the total number of boards played in the session
• E = the number of times boards were played in the session, as defined above
• S = a "standard" number of times boards are played, which will be the same for all sessions and will be taken as 7.

The Pairs Cup is based on the first six results achieved by a pair in pairs competitions (excluding the Christmas party). It starts on the first Friday in November and finishes at the end of the following September. The current position in this competition is published here. The winners of this competition represent the club in the Mary Edwards Cup the following year.

This is based on all the scores of an individual in pairs competitions (excluding the Christmas party) during the year up to June. An individual must have played at least 18 times during the year to qualify. The leading scores in this competition are published here every few weeks.

This is open to individuals who have scored an average of less than 50% during the previous year, and is based on the difference between this year's and last year's overall percentage score. An individual must have played at least 18 times last year and 18 times this year to qualify. The timing of this competition is the same as for the Individual Salver, and the leaders in this competition are also published here every few weeks.

Teams events are initially scored in IMPs, and these are then converted to Victory Points according to the table set out in section 161.1 of the EBU White Book.

The winners of the Jim Byrne Trophy represent the club in the Wanborough Cup.