Sectional Tournament

REGISTRATION:  Advanced registration is strongly encouraged and available online at www.gatewaychess.org. The deadline for advanced registration is 7:00 pm, Thursday, November 12. On-site registration will be available from 8:00 am to 8:30 am on the day of the tournament. Players who begin registration after 9:00 am may not be paired in round one and are subject to a late fee.

ELIGIBILITY:  All students in kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) are eligible. Each school may enter any number of players.

FORMAT: 

• HIGH SCHOOL SECTIONS:  Open and Reserve (Under 750). Students grade nine through twelve are eligible. Players rated under 750 are permitted to play up to the Open section.

  • ROUND TIMES:  9:30, 12:00, 2:30, and 5:00. Final round will start earlier if possible.

  • TIME CONTROL:  Game in 55m + 5s time delay (G/55;d5)

• UNDER SECTIONS:  Ninth Grade and Under (K-9), Eighth Grade and Under (K-8), Sixth Grade and Under (K-6), Fifth Grade and Under (K-5), and Third Grade and Under (K-3). Players may not compete in sections including grades higher than the highest grade the school the player represents. 

  • ROUND TIMES:  9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 2:00, 3:30, and 5:00. Final round will start earlier if possible.

  • TIME CONTROL:  Game in 25m + 5s time delay (G/25;d5)

AWARDS:

• HIGH SCHOOL SECTIONS (Open and Reserve):  The awards ceremony will begin at 7:30 pm (or earlier if possible).

  • Two (2) school trophies will be awarded per section. (Minimum of two players constitutes a team.)

    • School score is the sum of the four (4) highest player scores.

  • Eight (8) individual trophies will be awarded in each section.

• UNDER SECTIONS (K-9, K-8, K-6, K-5, and K-3):  The awards ceremony will begin at 6:30 pm (or earlier if possible).

  • Two (2) school trophies will be awarded in each of the under sections. (Minimum of two players constitutes a team.)

    • School score is the sum of the four (4) highest player scores. 

  • Five (5) individual trophies will be awarded in each section.

ENTRY FEE:  The entry fee is $15.00 per player if pre-registered online. The entry fee is $20.00 per player if registering on-site. Payment may be made through PayPal during online registration or by cash, check, or credit card on site.

MEMBERSHIP:  U.S. Chess Federation membership is required for tournament participation. Players must show proof of current membership or purchase at the tournament. Discounted rate starts at $15.00 paid by cash or check, $16.00 with card or PayPal, while supplies last.

EQUIPMENT:  Players are responsible for providing sets, boards, and clocks. A limited number of clocks will be available for checkout. Chess equipment may be on sale during the tournament.

RATINGS:  The current month U.S. Chess Federation rating supplement will be used for pairings. Players without a rating will be paired as unrated. (Local ratings no longer assigned.)

TIE BREAKERS:  Ties will be broken using Modified Median, Solkoff, Cumulative, and Cumulative Opp. for individual trophies and using Solkoff, Cumulative, and Cumulative Opp. for team trophies.

SPONSORS:  Each school must have either a sponsor or parent present. There will be a sponsors and parents meeting approximately fifteen minutes after the start of round one.

TOURNAMENT COORDINATORS:  The tournament director is Thomas Rehmeier. The tournament organizer is Sam Kassis. For further information please call Sam Kassis at 314-496-2266 or visit www.gatewaychess.org.