SCHOLASTIC CHESS ARENA
Step up and play
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Princeton Day School · K–12 |
A full afternoon of competitive chess, matched by level, with trophies, medals, and a clear schedule so families know what to expect.
Rated or brand new, every K–12 student has a section. No previous tournament experience is required.
Saturday, November 7
Where: PDS Gymateria, 650 Great Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Who: Grades K–12, rated and unrated
On-site registration: 11:15 AM
Check-in (preregistered): by 11:45 AM
Players meeting followed by first round: 12:00 PM, all sections
Usually ends: before 4:30 PM |
Preregistration closes Friday.
$50 online by November 6. $60 on site, space permitting. Cash, check to “CHESS TEACH 2,” or card. |
Sections
Unrated
No Score (K–1, new players)
K–1 (must know how to checkmate)
Novice 1 (K–6 beginners)
Rated — US Chess membership required
Novice 2 (K–8, under 600)
Reserve (K–12, under 800)
Open (K–12, under 1000)
Championship (K–12, 1000–1399)
Join US Chess: secure2.uschess.org |
Format and time control
Swiss pairings. Under 1000 and unrated sections: 4 rounds, G25/d5 or G/30.
Championship: 3 rounds, G40/d5.
Half-point bye available if requested in advance by email. |
Awards
Every player receives a medal, or trophy.
Trophies for the top six players and top three teams in each scored section.
Over-1000 sections: top four individual trophies; no team awards.
Teams: at least two players from the same school or club. Top three scores count. Team awards are for under-1000 and unrated sections. |
What to bring
Clock, if you have one. Pen or pencil for notation. Nut-free lunch or snacks, if you prefer your own.
Boards and pieces are provided. Snacks, and drinks are sold on site. |
Season dates
All Saturdays at Princeton Day School. Online registration closes the day before each event. |
| Event | Register by |
| November 7, 2026 | November 6 |
| December 5, 2026 | December 4 |
| January 9, 2027 | January 8 |
| February 6, 2027 | February 5 |
| March 6, 2027 | March 5 |
| April 3, 2027 | April 2 |
| May 1, 2027 | April 30 |
| July 10, 2027 | July 9 |
| August 7, 2027 | August 6 |
For parents
Free on-site parking. Use the entrance near the Gymateria. Do not park in the fire lanes.
A parent or guardian should stay for the tournament. Please keep children in the playing and break areas.
Campus Center Wi-Fi is available.
Snow day: early announcement at pds.org and by email. Online entries move to the makeup date unless you cancel.
Get directions to 650 Great Road → |
