Rules -- Scholastic Section

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Tournament Format, Player Eligibility and Team Eligibility

• 4 Scholastic Sections:  K-3, K-5, K-8, K-12.  Most players will play in their "grade group" (e.g. their Section), but players are allowed to play-up into a higher section if they want a greater challenge.  No Scholastic player is allowed to play in the Collegiate Section.

• This is an individual tournament using the Swiss-system format.  Individual scores count toward Team scores. 

• Eligibility:  All players must be attending a public, private, or home-school in the state of Virginia.  For "Team" eligibility criteria, see the next topic.

• Teams:  A "team" is defined as two or more players attending the same public, private or home school and playing in the same Section of the Tournament.  We determine a Team's score by adding the individual scores for the Top 4 Players on a Team based on their record of wins, losses, and draws ... NOT on their USCF Rating.  If a team has less than 4 players, only their Top 2 or 3 players count toward their team's score.

  • Notes about "Team Composition."  All players on a team must:

    • Be from the same public, private or home school, and must be playing in the same Section of the tournament.

    • Also, Home-Schooled players have additional options and can form a team under at least three criteria.

      1. Two or more players who belong to the same Home School Association can form a team.  A "Home School Association" is formed when a group of parents who home-school their children join together in an "association" in order to have a voice in the school district in which they are located.  Home school associations are not formed solely for the purpose of entering this tournament.

      2. If the players do not belong to a Home School Association they may form a team composed of players who live within the designated school boundary of the public school they would attend based on their home address and their current grade in school.

      3. A Home-Schooled player also has the option to play as a member of the Public School he/she would normally attend based on his/her home address and current grade in school.  Permission to play on the school's team must be in writing, signed by a school official (Principal, Asst. Principal, or the Chess Team's Official School Sponsor).

  • If a player is "playing up" into a higher section, his/her score can count toward a Team Score ONLY IF the player's current school is fielding a team in that Section of the tournament.  No player is allowed to play for a school he/she does not currently attend except as outlined under home-schooled children (see above).

  • "Club Teams" are not allowed.  All teams must meet one of the Team Composition criteria outlined above.  If you have a question about Team Composition, contact Mike Hoffpauir by phone at 757-867-8592 (home), 757-846-4805 (cell), or by email to mhoffpauir@aol.com.

  • No School is allowed to have more than one team in a section of the tournament (e.g. no Manchester Middle "A" and Manchester Middle "B").

• 6 Rounds of Chess with the following Time Controls:

  • Rounds 1-3:  Game-in-60 Minutes.  Means that each player has 60 minutes to complete all of his/her moves. 

  • Rounds 4-6:  Game-90.  Each player has 90 minutes. 

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A Few Tournament Rules
These rules supplement the US Chess Federation (USCF) Rule Book (5th ed) and apply only to this tournament.

• Chess Equipment: 

  • Chess pieces and boards will be set-up at each player's table, players will not be allowed to use their own chess sets w/o the express permission of the Section Chief (the tournament director responsible for the section).

  • Pens / Pencils:  Players are responsible for bringing their own pens or pencils.  We will not provide them at the tournament.

  • Chess Clocks:  If you have a chess clock, please bring it ... and be sure your batteries are fresh.  Know how to use a clock, because your opponent is likely to have one.  If either player shows up with a clock at the board, the clock must be used ... "I don't like using a clock" or "I don't know how to use a clock" is not an excuse.  You do not need to have a clock to play in the tournament, but it's a good idea to get one for yourself ... using a clock keeps the game moving along.  Also, players are responsible for knowing how to set their own clocks, don't expect the Tournament Directors to help you.

• Chess Notation:  Players in all Sections except K-3 are required to record their games.  All players should arrive at the tournament knowing how to take chess notation, there is no time to teach notation over the board during play. Players who cannot take notation due to religious reasons or a physical disability should inform the Section Chief in their Section. "I don't know how to take notation" is not an excuse.

• Player Pairings: 

  • Pairings are created using USCF-approved computer software, with the pairings themselves approved by the Chief TD before they are posted to the public. 

  • During the first 3 or 4 Rounds of the tournament it is highly unlikely that siblings or teammates will be paired against one another.  However, the probability for this scenario increases in a late Round when siblings or teammates are in contention for trophies.

  • All players and parents should anticipate that the Chief Tournament Director will use "Accelerated Pairings" for the first 2 rounds of the tournament.

• Ties:  Ties will be broken using the methods specified by the U.S. Chess Federation.  Players or Teams tied for 1st place are considered "State Co-Champions."  However, the Player/Team with the best tie-break points will receive the 1st place trophy.  Individual tie-breaks are Modified Median, Solkoff, Cumulative, Cumulative of Opposition. Team tie-breaks are Solkoff, Cumulative, Cumulative of Opposition.

• Problems during the Game:  If you have a problem during play, stop your clock (if one is being used) and raise your hand.  Do not get into an argument or discussion about the game with your opponent ... it disturbs the players around you.  When a Tournament Director arrives at your board, state your issue and wait for the TD's reply.  You don't need to ask permission to use the bathroom.

• When your Game is Finished:  Raise your hand and wait for a TD to arrive.  The TD will ensure your game's results are properly written on the Game Result Slip.  DO NOT LEAVE before you verify your game results with a TD.  Before you leave, reset the board and pieces, and don't forget to take your personal belongings with you.