Please confirm your child's name is on the entry list. If not, they are not registered. Try again or contact us. Be sure to click to the final page of the payment platform.
The 2026 Winter Chess-Fest!
Sunday January 4th, 2026
Location: HAMAKOM Synagogue
7353 Valley Circle Blvd, West Hills, CA 91304
Luxurious venue for a scholastic tournament with Unlimited FREE Parking!
CHESS SETS PROVIDED! (PLAYERS MUST BRING CLOCKS)
WIFI:
Hamakomguest
password: #8183463545
Sections: K-6 Rookies (Non-Rated), K-4 Under 400, K-6 Under 700, K-8 Under 1000, K-12 Open (5 sections)
January 2026 Rating Supplement used
*NOTES: the K-12 OPEN section is the most difficult section! New players should NOT start here.
*The K-6 Rookies (Non-Rated) section is NOT rated by US Chess. If you want to receive a rating, play one of the rated sections!
Trophies Awarded to TOP 5 guaranteed in all sections! Additional trophy prizes also awarded based on turnout.
Food & Drinks + Chess Sets/Accessories will be available for purchase
All Sections: 5-SS (Swiss System: everyone plays 5 games against players with approximately the same number of wins and losses after each round), G/30 SD or G25/5sec delay (Clocks will be assigned to games missing a clock to limit the total game time for each player to 30 minutes)
There is no elimination! Your child will play all five games. (Unless you request a "bye")
Round Times: 10:00am 11:20am 12:40pm 2:00pm 3:20pm....4:30pm (Award Ceremony)
This is an all day event. Expect to be there for all five rounds.
It is recommended to arrive by 9:30 am to ensure plenty of time for parking, checking the entry list and pairings, getting situated to play, and so on.
LET US KNOW IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS TO MISS A ROUND! Please do not simply fail to show up.
Registration Fees:
$50 Early Bird Fee (By 11/23)
$60 Standard Fee (By 12/31)
STANDARD RATE EXTENDED
$75 Late Fee (By 1/2)
$95 FINAL ENTRIES (By 11:59pm on 1/3)
$10 Processing fee for all refunds. No refunds after 8am on 1/4
NO ONSITE REGISTRATION
Please confirm your child's name is on the entry list. If not, they are not registered. Try again or contact us. Be sure to click to the final page of the payment platform.
***New players to the US Chess Federation or those whose memberships have expired -- log into Join US Chess | US Chess.org and create/renew your ID. Be sure to pay the $24 fee!
You must have USCF ID and active membership to join the tournament.
(Except for the K-6 Rookies section)
Contact Info
Organizers
Jerry Yee 818-915-5572
yeeluvspizza@gmail.com
Michael Yee 818-274-7199
acamichael24@gmail.com
Backroom TD
Nick Garcia 805-206-9215
coachnickg03@gmail.com