Who is eligible to play?
This tournament is open to fourth, fifth, sixth, (and now) seventh-grade students attending any school that is a member of the Prince George's County Public School System, attends a private or charter school in Prince George's County, or lives in Prince George's County.
What chess knowledge is needed to compete in this tournament?
Students only need a basic knowledge of how to play chess in order to play. This tournament is not intended to teach students how to play chess. Whether a student is a beginner or expert, all are welcome!
Are there different divisions?
Yes. There will be a novice division and a intermediate division at each grade level. A student will be considered a novice player if he or she has never competed in a chess tournament before and has less than three months of chess-playing experience. Otherwise, the student is considered an intermediate player.
What prizes are given away at this event?
Every student who participates will receive a certificate for participation. For each grade level, students in fourth through tenth place will receive a medal and students in first through third place will receive a trophy and a cash award. Since the cash awards are dependent upon support from the sponsors, the amount of the award will be announced on the tournament day (but there will be a cash award given for first and second places).
Is this a United States Chess Federation (USCF) tournament?
No, this is not a sanctioned USCF tournament.
A student that does not attend any a PG County public school or is not in the fourth, fifth, or sixth grade cannot play?
That is correct! Unfortunately, that student would be ineligible to play.
Who are the students playing against?
Students will be playing only against students of the same grade level and division. If a particular grade level and division is short players, they may merged with other grade levels with the same division. For example, it is possible for a fourth grade novice player to play against a fifth grade novice player if there is a small number of players in the fourth-grade novice division.
How will this tournament work?
There will be five rounds. Click on the 'Tournament Schedule' tab above for more details.
What is the distribution of the awards?
The distribution of the awards are based on the number of wins. First, second, and third place students from each grade level will receive trophies. Fourth through tenth place students from each grade level will receive medals. Everyone who participates will receive a certificate. Last year, everyone received a certificate, and even players who did not win a single round ended up winning a medal as well. Again, this depends on how many players register for the event.
Everyone will be out of school. So will this be a big tournament?
Yes! That is why it is important to preregister for this event. We can only allow for so many students to compete. If you register late and your category is full, you may be placed on a waiting list.
Do students need to bring anything?
Yes. First, students will need to show proof of grade level. A report card or a student ID that verifies the student's grade level is required. This is a strict rule. Without this, a student cannot play. Also, snacks and lunch will be provided. If your child has dietary restrictions (ex: peanut allegies), please have him or her to bring snacks and a lunch that are safe for him or her to eat. Finally, we ask for you to bring a chess board or chess clock if you have one.
Does the student need a consent form?
Yes, a consent form is required. There are two options. Guardians can come on the tournament day to complete the short consent form or download it from the 'Consent Form' link above and bring it on tournament day. Without the consent form, a student cannot participate in the tournament. You can also access the consent form by clicking here.
Are there people to contact to ask questions?
Yes, please contact any of the following:
- Marlow Lemons, Tournament Director (Office: 301-763-5473, Email: [email protected])
- Partners in Education Committee (Email: [email protected])
This tournament is open to fourth, fifth, sixth, (and now) seventh-grade students attending any school that is a member of the Prince George's County Public School System, attends a private or charter school in Prince George's County, or lives in Prince George's County.
What chess knowledge is needed to compete in this tournament?
Students only need a basic knowledge of how to play chess in order to play. This tournament is not intended to teach students how to play chess. Whether a student is a beginner or expert, all are welcome!
Are there different divisions?
Yes. There will be a novice division and a intermediate division at each grade level. A student will be considered a novice player if he or she has never competed in a chess tournament before and has less than three months of chess-playing experience. Otherwise, the student is considered an intermediate player.
What prizes are given away at this event?
Every student who participates will receive a certificate for participation. For each grade level, students in fourth through tenth place will receive a medal and students in first through third place will receive a trophy and a cash award. Since the cash awards are dependent upon support from the sponsors, the amount of the award will be announced on the tournament day (but there will be a cash award given for first and second places).
Is this a United States Chess Federation (USCF) tournament?
No, this is not a sanctioned USCF tournament.
A student that does not attend any a PG County public school or is not in the fourth, fifth, or sixth grade cannot play?
That is correct! Unfortunately, that student would be ineligible to play.
Who are the students playing against?
Students will be playing only against students of the same grade level and division. If a particular grade level and division is short players, they may merged with other grade levels with the same division. For example, it is possible for a fourth grade novice player to play against a fifth grade novice player if there is a small number of players in the fourth-grade novice division.
How will this tournament work?
There will be five rounds. Click on the 'Tournament Schedule' tab above for more details.
What is the distribution of the awards?
The distribution of the awards are based on the number of wins. First, second, and third place students from each grade level will receive trophies. Fourth through tenth place students from each grade level will receive medals. Everyone who participates will receive a certificate. Last year, everyone received a certificate, and even players who did not win a single round ended up winning a medal as well. Again, this depends on how many players register for the event.
Everyone will be out of school. So will this be a big tournament?
Yes! That is why it is important to preregister for this event. We can only allow for so many students to compete. If you register late and your category is full, you may be placed on a waiting list.
Do students need to bring anything?
Yes. First, students will need to show proof of grade level. A report card or a student ID that verifies the student's grade level is required. This is a strict rule. Without this, a student cannot play. Also, snacks and lunch will be provided. If your child has dietary restrictions (ex: peanut allegies), please have him or her to bring snacks and a lunch that are safe for him or her to eat. Finally, we ask for you to bring a chess board or chess clock if you have one.
Does the student need a consent form?
Yes, a consent form is required. There are two options. Guardians can come on the tournament day to complete the short consent form or download it from the 'Consent Form' link above and bring it on tournament day. Without the consent form, a student cannot participate in the tournament. You can also access the consent form by clicking here.
Are there people to contact to ask questions?
Yes, please contact any of the following:
- Marlow Lemons, Tournament Director (Office: 301-763-5473, Email: [email protected])
- Partners in Education Committee (Email: [email protected])