2025-26 CalChess Grade Level Championship

Join this statewide scholastic event where K-12 students compete against peers in the same grade for trophies and recognition! This championship welcomes players of all skill levels and promotes growth through competition and experience.

Register here

• You must log in or sign up before you can register.
• Online registration closes at 12:00 a.m. the day of the tournament.
• Onsite registration is subject to availability ($44 additional fee incurred).
• Late fees applied starting October 25 or when reaching capacity.

Sections

• Players will need to register based on their 2025-26 school grade and their November Supplement Rating (i.e., rating as of Oct. 16) into one of the following sections:
  • KG Champ (300+)
  • Grades K-3 Jr. Varsity (u400)
  • Grades K-6 Jr. Varsity (u600)
  • Grades K-12 Jr. Varsity (u800)
  • Grades K-5 Advanced (800+)
  • Grade 1 Champ - Grade 5 Champ (All sections 400+)
  • Grade 6 Champ - Grade 12 Champ (All sections 800+)
• A player may pay to play up one higher section, double play up is NOT allowed.
• Players must be within 300 points of the rating cutoff to play up.
  (Note: The rating used to determine if a player may play up is their November USChess Published Supplement Rating)
• A player may NOT play up their grade.

Schedule

• KG Champ, Grade 1 Champ, Grade 2 Champ, Grade 3 Champ, Grade 4 Champ & Grade 5 Champ:
  • Time Control: 5x G/25 d5
  • Round Times: 
    • Sat, Nov. 8 - 9:00 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:40 p.m.
• K-3 Jr. Varsity, K-6 Jr. Varsity, K-12 Jr. Varsity & K-5 Advanced:
  • Time Control: 5x G/25 d5
  • Round Times:
    • Sun, Nov. 9 - 9:00 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:40 p.m.
• Grade 6 Champ, Grade 7 Champ, Grade 8 Champ, Grade 9 Champ, Grade 10 Champ, Grade 11 Champ & Grade 12 Champ:
  • Time Control: 6x G/65 d5
  • Round Times: 
    • Sat, Nov. 8 - 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:50 p.m.
    • Sun, Nov. 9 - 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:50 p.m.
• ½-point bye is available for one round, except for the last round (Byes must be requested at least 30 min before that round's start).
• 0-point byes are available for any round.
• If you request more than one bye, we will give you a ½-point for the latest round possible except for the last round (0-point byes for all other rounds).

Awards

• Personal Trophies to all players with a winning record.
  • One trophy per player.
  • Trophy size vary based on standings.
• Medals to all other players.
• Team Trophies to all of the following with two or more players in a section:
  • Clubs
  • Schools
• A player who withdraws during the tournament is not eligible for awards.

Fees

• Entry fee:
  • Grade 6 Champ - Grade 12 Champ: $113
  • All other sections: $79
• Play up fee: +$29
• Discount for BayAreaChess Basic/Premium Members (More Info).
• Late fees, starting:
  • Nov. 2: +$11
  • Nov. 4: +$22
  • Nov. 6: +$33
• Onsite fee: +$44
• BayAreaChess Membership discounts are NOT redeemable for late and onsite fees.

Withdrawals

• Withdrawals are eligible for a partial refund, subject to the following deductions:
  • until Nov. 1, 4% processing fee.
  • from Nov. 2 to Nov. 3, $11 withdrawal fee + 4% processing fee.
  • from Nov. 4 to Nov. 5, $22 withdrawal fee + 4% processing fee.
  • from Nov. 6 onward, NO REFUND will be issued.
• Only withdrawals made before or on Nov. 6 are eligible for refund.

Change Requests

• After registration, changes can be requested at bayareachess.com/changeform and are subject to the following fees:
  • until Nov. 6, $7 change fee.
  • on Nov. 7, $15 change fee.
• The following requests are exempt from the change fee:
  • playing up to a higher section.
  • requesting byes.
  • updating club and/or school.

Other requirements

• USCF membership must be active.

More info available here.