Registration for Elementary School

Registration for Middle School

Registration for High School

This Tournament is Open to Students in Grades 1 – 12

Open to students attending public schools, private schools, and homeschooled students. Open students living outside the county.  Note: Some prizes are reserved for Harford County Students.

This is a chess tournament for individuals.  A US Chess membership is NOT required.  Just sign up and play!

Prizes:

Team Prizes
Best Harford County High School Team *
Best Harford County Middle School Team *
Best Harford County Elementary School Team *

Individual Prizes
Top High School Player *
Top Middle School Player *
Top Elementary School Player *

Best in Grade 3 and lower
Best in Grade 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior.

NOTES:  Each player can receive only 1 trophy.  Prizes marked with an “*” are for Harford County Students only.

Where?  

Churchville Recreation Center
3023 Level Rd, Churchville, MD 21028

When?

March 29, 2025

For Elementary School Students (Grades 1 – 5):  11:30am – 4:15pm

For Middle and High School Students (Grades 6 – 12):  9:00 am – 4:15pm

Tournament Format:

This is a four round Swiss System tournament with players grouped into three sections: High School (grades 12-9), Middle School (grades 8-6), and Elementary School (grades 1-5). In this tournament players are NOT eliminated!  Players get to play all four rounds.  The only exception is if there are an odd number of people in a section.  In that case one player receives a full point bye.

We play with chess clocks and there is a time limit on each game.

For the Middle and High School players, each player receives 25 minutes for each game with a 5 second delay before each move.
For the Elementary School players, each player receives 15 minutes for each game with a 5 second delay before each move.

While not a US Chess tournament, we follow US Chess rules with the following exceptions / reminders.
We strongly encourage taking notation (writing down your moves) however it is not required.
If a game is not progressing (i.e. it is clear to the Tournament Director that players cannot move toward checkmate) the Tournament Director may declare the game drawn
The 50 move rule remains in effect however in case of a dispute, a reasonably accurate score sheet may be necessary.
The threefold repetition rule remains in force however in case of a dispute, a reasonably accurate score sheet may be necessary.
The Touch Move rule remains in effect.