We are excited to celebrate the beginning of the school year. Let's play some chess against excellent competition throughout the United States. Please note, this tournament will be regular online USCF rated since the time control is longer (g 25 + 5 seconds)
We will be using the Lichess.org platform. Please note: This event is on a SUNDAY
The Tournament will begin at 11:00 AM EST on Sunday, September 18
SPECIAL FOR THIS TOURNAMENT: FREE TOURNAMENT GAME ANALYSIS upon conclusion of the section. We will send a zoom link to invite players to review games with coaches upon tournament conclusion. This is not mandatory but a useful tournament perk!
2 Rated Sections: based on age and grade
K-5 Championship
Open to players in K-5
4 rounds, g/25 + 5 seconds
START TIME: 11:00 AM EST
K-12 Championship
Open to all in K-12
4 rounds, g/25 + 5 seconds
START TIME 11:00 AM EST
$300 in Prizes include amazon gift cards. If multiple players tie for a prize, the prize is evenly split among players. Grade prizes will be given to players outside of the $$ prizes
K-5: 1st place: $80 amazon gift card, 2nd place: $50 amazon gift card.
Top K-1 Player: Trophy or $20 amazon gift card
Top 2-3rd Grader: Trophy or $20 amazon gift card
Top 4-5th Grader: Trophy or $20 amazon gift card
K-12: 1st place: $100 amazon gift card, 2nd place: $50 amazon gift card
Top 6-8th grader: Trophy or $20 Amazon Gift Card
Top 9-12th grader: Trophy or $20 Amazon Gift Card
Please note: We have a minimum of 10 players required per section. If we do not reach the minimum by 12:00 Noon the day before the tournament, we may combine two sections.
Tournament Format:
- All Sections: Rounds will be paired after every game is completed from the previous round. We give a 5 minute grace period from the time the last game finishes. If you opt into our text message alerts, you will be alerted to when each round is beginning.
- All Sections will have 4 rounds at G 25 + 5 second increment.
- Pairings based on a player's lichess classic rating (not US Chess rating).
- Pairings are done automatically by the lichess system and cannot be changed.
- Tournament prizes awarded up to 2 weeks after the tournament to allow for games to be screened for fair play.
Registration Details:
- Open to all players, K-12.
- Players will receive an email with a link and password to join the appropriate section of the tournament.
- Players must have a lichess account (if you do not have one, you must create one https://lichess.org/signup).
- Players join the Chess Katz team in lichess https://lichess.org/team/chesskatz-tournaments after registering.
- Registration closes at 10:00 AM EST the day of each tournament
- BYES POLICY Online registration closes the day of the event at 11:00 AM EST. Players may request a 1/2 bye in round one (players who "late join" after 11:00 AM will also receive a 1/2 bye). No other 1/2 byes can be requested.
Entry Fee:
Refund Policy
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If you cannot make our event, we require 12 hour notice before the event begins to qualify for a refund
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Refunds will be issued in form of a credit for a future event free of penalty or an entry refund less the charges we incur for processing the registration which is ~$5
How to Join a Tournament:
- Tournament link will be shared by 10:00 PM the night before the tournament. All tournaments are password protected. If your child has a sibling/family member / friend who is not registered, please do not have them enter the tournament!
- Players are advised to participate in the tournament from a computer, laptop or a tablet. It is not permitted to play on a phone or mobile device.
- Players are advised to join the tournament 20-30 minutes early. If you join at the last minute it may be too late to resolve any technical issues that you have.
- The tournament starts at 11:00 AM EDT SHARP.
- Players who "late join" after 11:00 AM will receive a 1/2 bye for 1 round
- Reentry is not available.
- Chess Katz is not responsible for wifi connection or technical issues.
Fair Play
- Tournament games will be reviewed by lichess and Chess Katz tournament staff. The USCF has officially endorsed LiChess's fair play algorithm, which will be taken into account when determining fair play practices
- Every game will be manually looked at by coaches and our anti-cheating algorithm to ensure a fair experience for all
participants.
- Chess Computers and outside help are not allowed.
- If you've ever had an account that was flagged by lichess or chess.com, you will not be eligible to participate in our event
- Players found in violation of Fair Play policies are not eligible for any prizes and will be removed from the Chess Katz team. Since this is a USCF event, they will also be reported to the USCF. Players who lost to the player who violated fair play will receive 1/2 a point for the game in accordance with USCF rules