Tournament Rules -- MAIN EVENT
Please read carefully ... there is plenty of information on this page
Last updated February 3rd, 2010

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  • To Register for the Main Event please click here.  Players not registered and paid for the Main Event by 9PM Friday March 12th will not be paired for Round 1 of the tournament without the approval of the Chief Tournament Director.

  • Round 1 is at 9AM on Saturday March 13th.  See "Event Schedule" for the times of Rounds 2 through 6.

  • If you prefer to register entirely by mail, click here for a mail-in entry form.

  • Player Eligibility:

    • Scholastic Players must be attending a public, private, or home school in VA ... or be a Virginia Resident attending another school out of state. 

    • Collegiate players must be attending college in VA, or be VA residents attending college out-of-state.  Also, titled IM, FM, or GM players cannot be more than 25 years old as of September 1, 2009.

    • Please direct any Eligibility Questions to Mike Hoffpauir as shown at the bottom of this page.

  • Five Sections:  K-3, K-5, K-8, K-12, and Collegiate.  Players may play up into a higher section, but the Collegiate Section is only for players who have completed High School and are now attending College.

  • Six Rounds of Chess:

    • Swiss System, with tie-breaks in the sequence specified in the US Chess Federation's Rules of Chess, 5th Edition.  See also "Ties" below.

    • Each player can request one 1/2-point BYE.

      • Byes for Rounds 1-2 must be requested before registration closes at 9PM on Friday evening.

      • Byes for Rounds 3-6 must be requested before the start of Round 2 at 12-noon on Saturday.

    • 4 Rounds on Saturday, 2 Rounds on Sunday (see "Event Schedule")

    • Time Controls:  Rounds 1-3 (Game-60), Rounds 4-6 (Game-90)

    • The Chief TD may use Accelerated Pairings in Rounds 1 and 2 for large sections

    • In the later rounds of the tournament it is possible for a player to play a teammate

  • Teams:  This is an INDIVIDUAL tournament, with Team Points determined using the results of the players on a Team. 

    • A "Team" is two or more players who attend the same school and who are playing in the same section of the tournament. 

    • Schools may not have more than one team competing in the same section. 

    • Team Points are calculated by adding the scores of the 4 best-performing players from the same school (they may or may not be the top-rated players from that school). 

    • Players who "Play Up" cannot have their points counted with the points of school-mates playing in another section of the tournament.  However, if two or more players from the same school play up, they are a "team" in that section of the tournament.

    • Anyone with questions about their Team's composition should contact Mike Hoffpauir as shown at the bottom of this screen.  See also the "Teams -- Frequently Asked Questions" page we've created.

  • Chess Notation:  Players in all Sections except K-3 are required to record their games using Chess Notation.  Practice now!!

  • The Top Finishing FEMALE player from the K-12 Section is eligible to receive assistance to represent Virginia at the new US Girls Junior Open Championships held during the US Open in August 2010.

  • The Top Finishing player, male or female, in grade 9-12 is eligible to receive assistance to represent Virginia at the Arnold Denker Tournament of High School Champions held in August 2010 during the US Open.

  • Chess Sets and Boards are provided at the tournament.  BRING YOUR CLOCK (if you own one) and some pens and pencils.

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

  • Chess Equipment: 

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

    • 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.

    • 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 brings a clock to 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 main tournament (you need one to play in Blitz), 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.

  • Player Pairings: 

    • The Tournament Director creates pairings 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:  The Tournament Director breaks ties using the methods specified by the U.S. Chess Federation (Rules of Chess, 5th Edition).  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.  The sequence for Individual tie-breaks is: Modified Median, Solkoff, Cumulative, Cumulative of Opposition. Ties among Teams are broken using these tie-breaks: 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 question or problem 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.  Do not rest your pieces until the TD instructs you to reset them.  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. 

Questions:  Contact Mike Hoffpauir by email, or phone 757-846-4805