All youth players welcome!

JAXCC is hosting United States Chess Federation (U.S.C.F.) sanctioned youth tournaments in Jacksonville, FL. These tournaments are open to all youth chess players who wish to compete in four rounds of Swiss Format tournament play.

We welcome  all students from all schools (public, home school, private and charter) who love to play chess and desire a championship formatted event. All players are required to bring their own set, board and chess clocks (rated sections). There is also a non-rated section for beginners or players who do not wish to have their results reported to the U.S.C.F.

CHESS CLOCKS are required for all rated sections. None will be provided at this time. The Non-Rated section does not require chess clocks, but if one player has one, it will be used.

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SECTIONS AND SCHEDULE for 1st Quarter 2016*
Saturday March 5th @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm- San Jose Church of Christ

Registration is from 9:00–9:30 am. Players must arrive at the tournament and check in no later than 9:30 am. Round 1 will begin at 9:45 am for all sections. Later rounds will begin as soon as possible after the previous round ends. We will break for lunch from 12:00-12:40. Tournaments typically end no later than 4 pm, lower sections usually ending earlier.

Sections are defined by both grade and rating to increase parity among players. Players may play in any section described below for which they are eligible. Each tournament is a four-round Swiss Tournament with a time control of G30;d5 (each player has 30 minutes and there is a 5-second delay at each move before a player’s clock starts to run).

• K–12 Open (Rated): Any scholastic player (kindergarten through 12th grade) may play in this section. Scholastic players whose rating is 1000 or more must play in this section.
• K–12 U1000 (Rated): Players must be in kindergarten through 12th grade and rated less than 1000 or unrated.
• K–6 U700 (Rated): Players must be in kindergarten through 6th grade and rated less than 700 or unrated.
• Non-Rated: Only unrated players may play in this section. An unrated player is one who (1) is not and has never been a member of the US Chess Federation (USCF), or (2) is a past or present USCF member who has played fewer than four rated games. Players are not required to be members of the USCF to play in this section and will not earn a rating. The Non-Rated section does not require chess clocks, but if one player has one, it will be used.

Prizes/Awards

Trophies will be awarded at each tournament to those who finish in the top three places in each section. Calculated tie-breaks will be used to determine trophy winners among players with the same score.

For the series as a whole, prizes of three different types will be awarded:

A class trophy will be awarded to every player scoring 16 or more points in a rated section.

Players will score points both for games played (1 point per game played and ½ point for a half-point bye) and for game results (1 point for every win or full-point bye, and ½ point for every draw or half-point bye).

The maximum score for class trophy purposes is 24 points. There are three classes of trophies:

– Bronze class: 16–18 points

– Silver class: 18.5–21 points

– Gold class: 21.5 or more points

The Jacksonville Chess Club Scholastic Series Champion trophy will be awarded to the player scoring the most points for the series exclusively in the K–12 Open section. Players will score points both for games played (1 point per game played and ½ point for a half-point bye) and for game results (1 point for every win or full-point bye, and ½ point for every draw or half-point bye).

The maximum score for champion trophy purposes is 24 points.

Standard tie-breaks will determine trophy winners among tied players

The Rising Star trophy will be awarded to the most improved player for the series as measured by rating points gained during series tournaments.

Medals will be awarded to all players who participate in two or more events in the series.

No series trophies will be awarded in the Non-Rated section; however, players may switch from the Non-Rated section to any rated section during the season. Players who do switch may count the scores of no more than two tournaments played in the Non-Rated section toward trophies.

CHANGING TOURNAMENT DATES

Players who are unable to attend a tournament that they entered may transfer their entry to any future tournament in the current series. To change a date, please see the registration staff during onsite entry or contact Kevin Pryor: call or text 904-607-9111, email mailto:jaxchessclub@gmail.com

BYES

A player may elect to take one half-point bye in each tournament. Players entering in advance can request byes on the entry form and may cancel or change byes during the onsite registration period at the tournament. Players may also request a bye at the tournament either on the entry form or through the end of round 2 by notifying a tournament director. If a player takes more than one bye, any bye after the first will be a zero-point bye.

USCF MEMBERSHIP

A player must be a current member of the US Chess Federation (USCF) to play in a rated section. To purchase or renew a membership, go to uschess.org. Players may also purchase or renew membership’s onsite at any series tournament. If you wish to purchase or renew a membership onsite, see the registration staff. You may pay USCF dues and the entry fee for multiple players with a single check. USCF dues are not refundable.

ENTRY FEES

The entry fees applicable for advance entry and onsite entry of multiple tournaments are as follows:

• One tournament: $25                            Jacksonville Chess Club Member   $20
• Any two tournaments: $45                   Jacksonville Chess Club Member   $40
• Any three tournaments: $65                Jacksonville Chess Club Member   $50

Make checks payable to Kevin Pryor. You may pay for both the entry fee and, if applicable, USCF dues, for any number of players with a single check. Entry fees are non-refundable.