 Prior to 1990, the league was divided into multiple regional zones (as many as 9) and the top finishers of those zones would take part in an additional mini-tournament to determine which teams get promoted to the Soviet First League.In 1991, the regional zones became a part of Soviet Second League B, while the Soviet Second League was split into 3 major regional zones, West, Center, and East.The group winners of these zones would now qualify for the Soviet First League.