Helpful Resources


Plan ahead! Below is a collection of guides, links, and videos with more information to make sure you are prepared for your trip and once you arrive at the tournament. 

Before the Event

  • Be sure to read the Registration and Tournament information
  • US Chess membership through December 2026 is required for all players
  • Double-check your registration on the pre-entry list
    • Any roster changes or section changes made after the deadline listed on the Rules page (or on site) will incur a $40 change fee.
    • Up to two half-point byes are available (for any round) if requested by 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 11 (for Round 1 byes) or 2 hours before the start of Round 2 (for byes in any other round).
  • Rules, Procedures, etc.
  • What to pack? - Chess Equipment
    • Please bring clocks  Click here for a video about chess clocks and how to set them.
    • Chess sets and notation score sheets are provided.
    • Players should pack comfortable clothing
  • Plan your visit!
    • Familiarize yourself with the venue maps, dining options, and more - Click Here to learn more about the venue
    • There are many opportunities to enjoy the surrounding area before, during, and after the tournament!  Check out the Visit Orlando website for ideas!
    • Or, check out the discounted tickets to Universal Orlando, available for US Chess attendees - Click Here for more information

During the Event

Procedures for each round...

  • At the beginning of each round...
    • Parents, coaches, and other badged attendees may help players to their boards, take pictures of their players, and listen to announcements.  Pre-Round announcements are important, so your cooperation in maintaining a quiet playing hall is appreciated.
    • About 5 minutes before each round, all parents, coaches, and other attendees will be asked to leave the playing hall.  Only players and event staff are allowed in the playing hall during the tournament rounds.
    • Once all attendees have exited the playing hall, the round will begin.
  • During the round...
    • Players must remain in the playing hall
    • There will be "Players Only" restrooms for players with games in progress
    • All other attendees must wait in the designated waiting area, Skittles area, Team Room, or other public event space.
    • Parents, Coaches, and other attendees with questions or concerns should go to the Chess Control help desk
  • After the round...
    • Players will complete their games (as described below in "Player Responsibilities")
    • Once their games are completed and results reported properly, players must exit the playing hall.
    • Players will exit the playing hall through the designated exits and connect with their responsible adult at that time.

Player Responsibilities

  • Players should wear their event badge in the Badged Areas at all times.
  • Players must bring clocks.
    • Players are expected to know how to set, pause, and operate their chess clock
    • Click here for a helpful video on how to set your clock
  • Player responsibilities are list in Scholastic Regulations 13.6 through 13.12.  Some of the more common expectations are listed below.
    • Players must pause the clock and raise their hands for a Tournament Director (TD) when they have a question, need a rule to be enforced, or to deal with annoying/distracting behavior.
    • When the players agree on the game result, they should raise their hand to summon a TD. 
    • During their games, players should remain at their boards or in the Playing Room silently observing adjacent games within their Section.
    • A player with an active game may not leave the Playing Room except to travel to and from the authorized restroom.
    • A player who is late by 30 or more minutes for a round (see Section 10.10.2) will lose the game by forfeit and will be withdrawn from the tournament.  A player who is forfeited but wants to continue competing in the tournament, must notify Chess Control at least 2 hours before the advertised start of the next round.
  • Notation (regulations about Notation can be found in the Scholastic Regulations, Section 11)
    • Players in Kindergarten through Grade 2 are not required to take notation.
    • Players in Grade 3 through Grade 12 are required to take notation.
    • All players must use the official scoresheets provided by the tournament to record the moves during their games.  Players may not use their personal scorebooks or other notation devices for any reason while their games are in progress.
    • Players and coaches should know the rules and enforcement of notation (found in Scholastic Regulations, Section 11)
  • Electronic Devices
    • Rules about Electronic Devices can be found in Scholastic Regulations 13.4
    • Electronic Devices are defined as mobile phones, smart glasses, air tags, smart watches, tablets, computers, or any other device capable of chess analysis and/or communication with another device and/or person.
    • Before the Start of the Round, players must turn off all their electronic devices and either store them in a bag or place them face-up on the table. While face-up on the table, devices must be off—not on and in vibrate-only, silent, or airplane mode.
    • Once the round starts, players’ devices must remain in their stored location or face-up on the table for the duration of the game.
    • While games are in progress, players in the Playing Hall may not attempt to use their electronic devices or have them on their persons in any manner. Devices may not be taken to the restroom or outside the Playing Hall.
    • When a player’s game is over, the player may collect the player’s device from the table or leave it in the player’s bag. However, the player is not permitted to turn on or use the device in any manner before the player has completely exited the Playing Hall.
  • It is the responsibility of players and/or coaches to report Standings errors to the Chess Control help desk in a timely manner.
  • Players must use the restrooms designated for "Players Only" connected to the Playing Hall.

Attendee Responsibilities

  • Before the tournament, players (or their parents/coaches) are strongly advised to review their registrations online before the tournament to confirm their information is correct—such as section assignment, rating, entry, fees, US Chess membership, team information, bye requests, etc.
  • Before the tournament, players and their coaches/parents, are strongly advised to familiarize themselves with the US Chess Official Rules of Chess and the 2026-2027 US Chess Scholastic National Tournament Regulations
  • Direct all on-site Bye requests, withdrawals, questions, and customer support needs to the Chess Control desk (service, registration, and help desk)
  • It is the responsibility of players and/or coaches to report Standings errors to the Chess Control help desk in a timely manner.
  • Spectators, coaches, parents, and all other attendees are expected to wear their event badges in the Badged Area at all times.
  • Badged Attendees will be allowed to bring players to the boards before the round begins to take pictures and assist players in getting prepared.
  • All attendees should maintain quiet in the playing hall at all times.  Announcements will be made before each round.
  • Spectators are NOT allowed in the playing hall during rounds.  Before each round begins, the Tournament Directors will ask ALL parents, coaches, and other spectators to leave the playing hall.  Rounds will not begin until all spectators have exited the Playing Hall.
    • A Spectator is anyone inside the Playing Room who is not a player, a Tournament Director, or event staff.  Players whose games are complete are considered spectators and must leave the tournament room immediately after their game. They are not allowed to re-enter the tournament room to check on a teammate or for any other reason without the express permission of a TD. A player who believes they forgot a chess bag, scorebook, mobile phone, coat, jacket, purse (etc.) in the Playing Hall should first go to Chess Control and get instructions from the tournament staff.
  • Attendees must not use the restrooms designated for players only.

After the Games

Between Rounds...

  • Players and Attendees should have a plan to meet after each round of play.
  • Each game can last anywhere from several minutes to a couple of hours, please plan accordingly.
  • Players and Attendees for the Grades K-1 Sections have a designated playing hall and waiting area
  • Players and Attendees for the Grades 2-12 Sections can plan to meet in the Skittles area, Team rooms, or other nearby public spaces
  • Players and Attendees are free to explore the Skittles area, exhibitor booths, venue amenities, or nearby sights until the start of the next round.
  • All on-site Bye requests, withdrawals, questions, and customer support can be handled at "Chess Control" (service, registration, and help desk)

Awards

  • Click Here - for all information about Prizes for all sections in the Main Event
  • Awards will be presented on-stage once all games have been completed.
  • Check the Schedule for times and locations of the awards ceremony for your section.
  • Side Event awards will be presented prior to the start of rounds in the main playing hall.  Check the Schedule for times and locations of the awards ceremony for your side event.
  • Questions about awards, early pick-up, etc.?  See the Chess Control help-desk at the event.

More Information