Global Online Chess Showdown: KCF Announces Fifth Annual KCF University Cup

The KCF University Cup Will Take Place on February 1 - 2, 2025, on lichess.org platform.

The Kasparov Chess Foundation announces the fifth annual KCF University Cup, which will take place, February 1 and 2, 2025. The KCF University Cup is an international online tournament, which is open to teams from a post-secondary school (university, college, community college, etc.). All participating students must be enrolled in at least one class in the January 2025 semester.

KCF’s University Cup features a nine-round team, Swiss system format over the two days, with a rapid time control, and will be played on the free and non-commercial chess platform, lichess.org.

Each team consists of four players, plus up to two alternates. There is a team rating cap of 2400 – no team may have an average rating exceeding 2400. There is no entry fee for teams to participate in the online tournament.

The first place winning team will receive the coveted KCF University Cup and an exclusive online team training session with legendary World Champion Garry Kasparov. The top team in the U2200 category will also receive an online team training session with Garry Kasparov. Plaques will be awarded to the top three teams in the final overall standings as well as to the top team in the U2200, U2000, U1800 and U1600 rating categories. Plaques will also be awarded to the top team per FIDE Continent (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe). One additional plaque will be awarded to the top "Mixed Doubles" team – two males and two females must represent the team on each day. The mixed doubles prize can be earned in addition to the prizes above.

Kasparov Chess Foundation established a multinational team of officials and organizers to ensure a fair and friendly competition. Organizers include:

GM Alex Onischuk, Chairman of KCF University Cup
Grant Oen, Chief Arbiter
Chacha Nugroho, Tech Director
GM Zlatko Klaric, KCF Adriatic Director
Graham Jurgensen, KCF Africa Director
Ignatius Leong, International Arbiter, KCF Asia-Pacific Director
GM Darcy Lima, KCF Lusophone Director
Hiquingari Carranza, KCF Ibero-America Director

For complete registration and rules details, please visit https://kcf.chessstream.com or email: kcfuniversitycup@chessstream.com with any questions.

About Kasparov Chess Foundation

Founded by World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov, KCF’s mission is to bring the many educational benefits of chess to children worldwide by providing a complete chess curriculum and enrichment programs. The Foundation promotes the study of chess as a cognitive learning tool in curricular classes and after-school programs for elementary, middle and high schools, both in the public and private school sectors. The not-for-profit educational organization also organizes tournaments and competitions on a local and national basis. For more information, please visit http://www.kasparovchessfoundation.org.