CYO Invitational

CYO coaches have selected their top players to both compete for individual recognition, but also to experience chess at the next level in a USCF-rated tournament.  We hope you consider signing up!

Check-in for the tournament is 8:15a-8:45am, with a player meeting/games starting at 9:00am.  The games should be completed about 12:15pm, at which point awards will be presented if not prior.

The tournament will be four rounds in chess's traditional Swiss style.  That means all players play in all the rounds; there is no "elimination."  Players get 1 point for a win, 1/2 for a draw/stalemate, and 0 for a loss.  The player with the most points at the end wins.

The event is USCF-rated, meaning all players must sign up as member of the US Chess Federation at least 24 hours before the tournament starts (join here: https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess).  When you register online here, you'll be asked to enter your USCF ID#.  A "rated" tournament means that it follows the USCF rules (similar to CYO), and that the student gets a chess rating after the tournament ends showing their skill level.  It can go up or down if/as they play more tournaments.

The tournament will use chess clocks.  Each player will get 25 minutes to start, with a 5-second bonus added to their time with each move (i.e., "25+5").  Boards, clocks, pieces are all provided.  Notation of moves is not required.

There will be three sections, just like in CYO: 8th Grade & Under, 6th Grade & Under, 3rd Grade & Under.  Trophies will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each section.  If there is a tie, 1st place will be decided by a 5-minute blitz game playoff with randomly selected colors.  Second and third place will be decided by computer tiebreak decisions (no games), and medals will be awarded to anyone tied who didn't get a trophy.

The entry fee is $15.

Other details for parents:

• Concessions will be available for sale.  Credit cards accepted.
• There is a waiting room available with chairs.  Unfortunately, there is no WiFi.
• All children must have a responsible adult present at all times.  Parents may take responsibility for other parent's children.
• Food is not allowed at playing tables.  Drinks with lids are.
• Parents can watch the games from the gym bleachers, or may sit in the hallway or the waiting room.  There is no talking in the gym at all during games.