Event Overview
Oakland Center
312 Meadow Brook Rd
Rochester, MI, 48309, United States
Directions:
https://www.oakland.edu/oc/
Directions to the Oakland Center
The Oakland Center is located in the heart of Oakland University’s main campus.
Oakland University is located in southeastern Michigan between Flint and Detroit. The 1,441-acre campus actually extends into two cities — Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, between Adams Road and Squirrel Road, just south of Walton Boulevard. Take I-75 to exit 79 and go east on University Drive to the main entrance of campus. Or, take M-59 to the Squirrel Road exit and go north to the main entrance of campus at the corner of University Drive.
From OU’s Main Entrance
To get to the Oakland Center from the main entrance of campus, drive around the circle drive past the first entrance to Meadow Brook Road until you get to the second entrance to Meadow Brook Road and turn right. The Oakland Center is located on the right side of the road between North and South Foundation Halls. The best place to park is in Parking Lot 1 or 2.
Format:
Printable Flyer: Printable Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RMMuXsTyjjbycyCSt_cZ0n-fR5R9hysW/view?usp=sharing
High School: 4-SS, 2 Sections - High School Championship: HS Teams (Gr 9-12), High School Reserve: HS Teams (Gr 9-12) U1000 Avg Team Rating
Junior High (No HS 9th Grade Teams per MCA Rules): 5-SS, 2 Sections - Junior High Championship: K-9, Junior High Reserve: K-9 U600 Avg Team Rating
Average Team Rating Calculator: https://www.michess.org/team-rating-calculator
Michigan Chess Association and USCF Memberships Required for ALL Players
Event Policies:
MCA Scholastic Code of Conduct & Building Policies will be provided via a separate flyer online and via hard copy during the event. By registering for this event, players, parents, and coaches agree to abide by these policies. Any violations of these policies can lead to withdrawal of all teams from the school and ejection from the facility.
Teams:
- Each team is composed of 3-5 players. A standard team consists of 4 players. A team may compete with 3 players, possibly forfeiting on board 4. Teams of 5 players are also permitted where any 4 of the 5 players can play each round while keeping consistent board order.
- The players on a team must be part of the same educational system (“school’) as defined by USCF Scholastic Regulations Sections 5.2, 5.3, or 5.4. https://new.uschess.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/uschess-scholasticregulations_2024-2025.2024.08.05a.pdf
- Multiple teams from the same school may be submitted to any section or event.
- There is no requirement that the teams be sponsored by the school. A group of friends that meet the team eligibility requirements can register and compete.
- Individual players should not register for the event. Contact MCA for assistance forming a team.
- For teams that cannot participate due to last minute withdrawals, the remaining players may still participate in the extra rated games.
Section Eligibility:
MCA Standing Rule 82-01: Ninth grade students playing in an MCA scholastic team tournament must play in the event for the type of school they attend. Examples: (Adopted 01/13/82)
1. If a high school includes grades 9 12, then those ninth graders would play in the High School Tournament.
2. If a junior high school has grades 7 9, then those ninth graders would play in the Junior High School Tournament.
Board Order:
MCA Standing Rule 84-03: Regarding board order in team tournaments: Rated players should generally be placed in rating order; unrated players may be placed anywhere. This should be done with fairness in mind: The strongest player on each team should play on first board, no matter whether he has a relatively high or low rating or is unrated. The tournament director may, at his discretion, change submitted player placements, after considering evidence from various sources (non-USCF ratings, other coaches, etc.). (Adopted 06/21/84).
Average Team Rating:
Use our online tool to determine eligibility for Reserve sections: https://www.michess.org/team-rating-calculator
Match Games:
Individual games are between the players only without the assistance of parents, coaches, and teammates. All questions or concerns, including current match score, should be directed to the TD.
Extra Rated Games:
Each round, Fourth boards without an opponent and alternates are paired randomly so they can play rated games. These games are optional, and players are not guaranteed a game. Points scored in these matches DO NOT count for individual medals.
Equipment:
Boards and Pieces are provided for tournament games. Bring your own set for skittles between rounds.
Bring Clocks:
Games may start without clocks, but games running long will have a clock placed on them with very little time.
Notation:
Please bring writing utensils. All players must record the moves of their game until one player has less than 5 minutes remaining on the clock.
Cell Phones:
No Players may have a cell phone in their possession during their game.
Spectators:
Parents and Coaches may be separated from the playing area once games begin.
Time Control:
JH: G/40;d5
HS: G/55;d5
Rounds:
JH: 9am – 11am – 1pm – 3pm – 5pm
HS: 9:30am – 12:30pm – 3pm – 5:30pm
Entry Fee:
$25 per Player in Advance by 2/21/2026 (Sat week before) at Midnight
$33 per Player in Advance by 2/23/2026 (Mon prior) at Midnight
$55 per Player in Advance by 2/26/2026 (Thur prior) at 8pm
All mailed entries must be postmarked by 2/20/2026
ABSOLUTELY NO ENTRIES AFTER THURSDAY AT 8PM FOR ALL SECTIONS.
Online registration: http://www.onlineregistration.cc (Preferred Method)
If an invoice is needed for school payment, please contact the TD by 2/16/2026 to allow time for processing.
Registration:
The Online Registration (https://onlineregistration.cc/index.php) system will be the main mechanism to register for the tournament, but not the only method. Those registering through other ways will not be listed at the Online Registration Entry List. MCA will provide a separate website link closer to the tournament date to view full entries along pairings and results during the tournament.
Online registration Links:
- JH: https://onlineregistration.cc/MCA/2026_MCA_JHTeam
- HS: https://onlineregistration.cc/MCA/2026_MCA_HSTeam
Mailed registration: Michigan Chess Association, P.O. Box 40, Flint, MI 48501
DO NOT register unless you are part of a known school team. Individual players without a team are not allowed to participate.
Check-In
Teams must be paid in advance and will be paired for round 1. Parents should check-in with their Coaches. Coaches with any changes must inform MCA staff in writing before 8:15am. No refunds will be given to any players or teams who are paired for the first round and do not arrive. Policy materials will be available onsite.
Prizes:
High School Sections: Individual Medals: Gold 4.0 pts, Silver 3.5 pts, Bronze 3.0 pts
High School Championship Team Awards: Top 10
High School Reserve Team Awards: Top 6
Junior High Sections: Individual Medals: Gold 5.0 pts, Silver 4.0-4.5 pts, Bronze 3.5 pts
Junior High Championship Team Awards: Top 10 teams + all at 3.5
Junior High Reserve Team Awards: Top 7 teams + all at 3.5
Contact:
Jeff Aldrich
810-955-7271
Click here to show mail address
https://www.michess.org/
Notes:
No outside food/drink or delivery services.
- Oakland Center Food Vendors will be open to purchase food
Building Policies: TBD
Video of Question & Answer Session from 2023 Elementary Team: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UuriHMkMHaAEn1GcsquCiKCBWj19pZth/view?usp=sharing
312 Meadow Brook Rd
Rochester, MI 48309
United States