USCF rated chess tournament in 7 RATED scholastic sections:K-3 U400, K-3 U700, K-5 U400, K-5 U700, K-5 U1000, *6-12* U1000, K-12 Any. All scholastic players rated 1300 and over must play in the Open section.

Basics

This is a Swiss-system tournament, so everyone plays all day—there is no “elimination.” Players must know how to play the game of chess! We follow USCF rules including: touch-move, mandatory clocks if available, and notation. K-3 and younger sections are excused from taking notation.

Eligibility

"Under" sections are only for students meeting the rating criteria. All players who are new to tournaments are eligible for their age appropriate under section. (Look up your player's rating here. Please email the registrar or ask your chess coach for placement information.
If your 6th grader attends an Elementary School, please contact the registrar for options.

With enough registrations, any section may be divided into two sections, or small similar sections may be combined.

This is a rated tournament. Your USCF membership cannot expire before February 29, 2020. JTPs ok in K-3 and younger sections only. USCF memberships can be renewed/purchased at check-out.

Schedule

No check-in necessary for preregistrations. We will make every attempt to contact you in advance if we see a problem with your registration. Verify your entry ONLINE!
8:30 a.m Announcements begin in all scholastic playing rooms.
Players and coaches should be present.
9:00 a.m. Rd 1 begins. Scholastic sections have 5 rds, G/30, d5.
9:00 a.m. Open section begins. Open has 4 rounds, all rounds are are G/45, d5.
9:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Problem desk open. No changes for round 1 (bye or section) allowed after online registration closes. Requests for byes, withdrawals, and player or school information edits go in effect immediately if made via email before the close of online registration. Changes requested onsite go into effect as of round 2. NO Onsite registrations.

Approximate Round Times

Scholastic Sections:
round 1 - 9:00am, rd 2 - 11:00am, rd 3 - 12:45 pm, rd 4 - 2:30 pm
rd 5 - 4:00 pm

Note

There will be some “down time” between rounds since many games will finish early. We will provide an area (outside the tournament room) for casual “skittles” chess and/or other indoor activities. Parents and/or coaches, please provide age-appropriate activities during the time between rounds. The organizers cannot baby-sit. No child should be left unattended!

Awards

Trophies & Medals to Top Contenders! Ribbons to all participants! Trophies to the top individuals in each scholastic section. Trophies to the top teams in all sections. Number of individual and team trophies will depend on number of entries. Chess medals will go to all players (excluding Open section) that finish the tournament with a positive score (3.0 & 3.5 points). Trophies to players scoring 4.0 and above. No teams in Open section, but special trophies will be awarded to the highest scoring Parent & Child teams.

Registration Information

Entry fee pricing is staggered and based on date of entry/payment. Online registration preferred! Click on the blue starburst to "Register Now"!

*Early entry $25 thru Saturday, 01/04/2020
*Regular entry $30 thru Saturday, 01/18/2020
*Late entry $35 thru Saturday, 01/25/2020
*One week Away $40 begins Sunday, 01/26/2020 and ENDS at NOON on Thursday 1/30/2020, at which time online entry closes.

Withdrawals requested before Sunday 1/19/2020 are eligible for a refund (minus a $5 service fee). No refunds for USCF memberships after purchased from the USCF. NO email/phone entries.

Email Lori Balkum, registrar with other questions or to request an e-bill (you do not need an e-bill if you follow thru the normal registration process and complete payment online). No phone calls, please. Emails will be returned promptly.

Make checks payable to "Rocks & Rooks".
Mail checks to: PO Box 1386, Round Rock, TX 78680.
To pay by check, please register online and choose 'check' when you hit submit. Do not postmark after 1/25/2020! If sending check, your entry is not complete until check is received. Please postmark promptly.
Credit cards/Paypal preferred. Paypal ID: ggaiffe@att.net

Organized by Rocks & Rooks. Gary Gaiffe, tournament organizer.