1st Annual South Central Scholastic Championship

1st Annual South Central Scholastic Championship

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Houston - Greenway Plaza

6 E Greenway Plaza, Houston, Texas 77046

Saturday, November 29th at 10 am

Register/view more information here: lonestarchesscompany.com/south-central-scholastic-championship

Note about special rules for pairings:

This tournament will feature Monrad pairings, which is a variation on Swiss pairings that reduces mismatches. The use of Monrad pairings eliminates the need for multiple sections as players are often paired against closely related opponents, especially in early rounds. To read more about Monrad Swiss pairings, visit Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss-system_tournament#Monrad_system Because we are using Monrad pairings, which are better at reducing mismatches, there are no separate K-3, K-5, K-8, and K-12 sections. Instead, there is just one section for everyone. To be eligible for grade-based prizes, please include the player's grade in the "grade" field when you register.

Advantages of Monrad Pairings:

• Fewer mismatches, more games against closely-rated opponents
• Eliminate need for multiple sections
• Anyone can win the tournament (lower-rated players are more likely to play each other, which means that anyone has a chance to win)
• Less playing down (higher-rated players are less likely to have to play down)

Tournament Information​

• Four rounds: first round at 10 am, subsequent rounds occur as soon as possible
• One section: Monrad pairings reduce mismatches, eliminating the need for separate K-3, K-5, K-8, and K-12 sections (see note above)
• Time control: Game in 25 minutes with a 5-second delay (US Chess regular and quick rated)
• Entry fee: $35 by 11/3, $40 by 11/11, $45 by 11/20, $50 by 11/28, $55 by 11/29 (on-site registration closes 30 minutes before round 1)
• Boards and pieces will be provided for all players, but we don’t have enough clocks for everyone (those who have clocks are welcome to bring them)
• This tournament is US Chess rated, so an active US Chess membership is required. Click here to join the US Chess Federation for the first time or to renew an inactive membership: https://new.uschess.org/user/login?destination=/form/membership
• Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions
• Register/view more information here: lonestarchesscompany.com/south-central-scholastic-championship

PRIZES

Trophies for 1st through 5th in each section, plus special prizes for the 1st place winner in each section!

NOTE: To be eligible for grade-based prizes, make sure to include your child's grade in the "Grade" field when registering.

*Note: For trophies, ties will be broken using standard US Chess tiebreaks. In the event of a tie, the free camp prizes will be determined by tiebreaks. If multiple players get a perfect score, each of them will receive a free online camp entry.

Additional Information/Logistics

• CLICK HERE to reserve sleeping rooms at the venue
• Free water will be provided for attendees.
• Notation is not required. Scoresheets and pens will be provided for those who choose to take notation.
• There is no scheduled lunch break, but there is almost always time for players to have food between games. There aren't any pre-scheduled round times--rounds will occur as soon as possible, approximately on the hour.
• The tournament is projected to end around 2 pm, but it could end earlier or later depending on how fast games go.

How to Register

Register/view more information here: lonestarchesscompany.com/south-central-scholastic-championship