We noticed that the dates are May 16 through 18. Do we have to be there all days?
I do not know which section to place my child in. Can you help?
What is meant by a bye? And, can you clarify why there is only one half point bye and the other byes are zero points?
I noticed that my child must be a member of the United States Chess Federation (USCF).  What is that? Why do they have to be members?  What is this rating that the application requests?
I also see that there is another organization called CalChess. I realize I do not have to be a member, but what is this group? Is there any benefit for my child to join?
Which U.S. Chess Federation rating will my child play under?
My child is not a member of any school team can s/he compete?
My child is home schooled, can s/he compete for a team?
How do I know that my child is registered?
How would I go about finding a hotel room for this event?
What should my child and I bring to the tournament?
When we arrive at the tournament site on April 28 what should we do?
Will there be food sold at the site or nearby?
Are there special rules that apply to this tournament?
What other rules apply to this tournament?
Does my child have to use a chess clock?
Does my child have to write down (notate) his/her games?
What about my child using an electronic recording device similar to the MonRoi?
I understand that as of January 1, 2007 Rule 15A has been changed to read that a player must first make the move and then record it on a score sheet. Will this be process be enforced at this year's States?
I heard that Southern California has its own State Championships.  How can this be?
Is Financial Aid Available?
What about the Awards Ceremony?
What are tie-breaks? Which will be used?

We noticed that the dates are May 16 through 18. Do we have to be there all days?
No! Friday, May 15 is a completely optional day with Blitz (speed) Chess. Most major tournaments offer these special events to provide those individuals who enjoy Blitz chess an opportunity to compete and win trophies.
Students in Kindergarten, 1-3 Unrated, 1-3 Novice (u500), and 1-3 Jr. Varsity (u800) play only on Saturday, May 2. K-6 Unrated and K-6 Novice (u600) play only on Sunday, May 3. All other sections, including K-3 Varsity Championship must compete on both Saturday and Sunday.

One half point bye for one game you let us know before the tournament starts. You should request that if you do not intend to play in any any round if requested in advance of round number one. Players may also request zero point byes for any other round. So if a player in grades four could not attend on Saturday, they could play on Sunday with a half point credited if asked in advance. Obviously it would be near impossible to obtain one of the top place trophies under this scenario.

I do not know which section to place my child in. Can you help?
I can try! If your child is in Kindergarten, s/he would normally play in the Kindergarten Division.
If your child is in first grade through third grade-these grades are referred to as Primary--s/he has four possibilities:
Primary Unrated (unrated)-- If your first, second or third grade child has never competed in a United States Chess Federation tournament or does not have a rating then s/he would be unrated and this would be the section of choice. S/he can also comete in K-6 unrated or both this section and K-6 unrated. Alternatively, s/he can compete in any higher section except the Primary Novice (under 500) or Elementary Novice (under 600).
Primary Novice (UNDER 500 only)-- If your first, second or third grade child and has a rating under 500 this would be the section of choice. Unrated players are not allowed in this section.
Primary Junior Varsity (UNDER 800)-- If your first, second or third grade child has competed in US Chess Federations tournaments, but their rating is below 800 they probably should compete in this division.
Primary Varsity (open to any 1-3 player)-- The Primary Varsity section (also know as Open and Championship section) is mainly for experienced first, second or third grade players whose USCF ratings are above 800. However, since it is an open division, any kindergarten, first, second or third grade player, unrated or rated, experienced or not, is welcome to enter this division.

If your child is a USCF member, you can check their rating at http://www.uschess.org/ms/MbrLst.php.  Please remember that all children must join the USCF (http://www.USChess.org) to compete in this tournament. Joining the US Chess Federation can also be done at the time of your online tournament registration.

The same basic information applies to the Elementary School sections. Elementary School is used in tournaments to refer to students attending fourth, fifth and sixth grade. So this is the division of choice for these students.

Elementary Unrated (unrated)-- If your fourth, fifth or sixth grade child has never competed in a United States Chess Federation tournament or does not have a rating then s/he would be unrated and this would be the section of choice
Elementary Novice (UNDER 600 only)-- If your fourth, fifth, or sixth grade child and has a rating under 600 this would be the section of choice. Unrated players are not allowed in this section
Elementary Junior Varsity (UNDER 900)-- If your fourth, fifth, or sixth grade child has competed in US Chess Federations tournaments, but their rating is below 900 they probably should compete in this division.
Elementary Varsity (open to any 4-6 player)-- The Elementary Varsity section(also know as Open and Championship section) is mainly for experienced first, second or third grade players whose USCF ratings are above 900. However, since it is an open division, any kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth grade player, unrated or rated, experienced or not, is welcome to enter this division.

The same principles can be applied to the Junior High School and High School divisions. If you have any other questions about which division of the CalChess State Scholastic Championships is correct or best for your child, please do not hesitate to send e-mail to salman~bayareachess.com (replace ~ by @)

What is meant by a bye? And, can you clarify why there is only one half point bye and the other byes are zero points?
Basically, a bye means you get to pass on playing a game. 1) There are full point byes generally given only when there is an uneven number of players in a section. Someone simply doesn't get a game because there is no one to play.  The person who doesn't get to play, but gets a point as if he won a game, is the lowest rated in the section with the most losses.  Unrated players seldom receive full point byes.  2) Half point byes--equivilant to a draw--are given when an individual requests to skip a round. In the States we only give one half point bye and never in the last round.  These must be asked for before the tournament begins. 3) Zero point byes are given for any round a player requests to skip. The United states Chess Federation does not rate byes.

I noticed that my child must be a member of the United States Chess Federation (USCF).  What is that? Why do they have to be members?  What is this rating that the application requests?

The United States Chess Federation is the national governing body of chess in the United States. Membership is required of all players in order to have our tournament sanction as well to provide a rating that compares all players in the United States.  This rating is done at the USCF headquarters in Tennessee after the event.  The rating is then used to properly place players in future events.  The rating is not consider quite accurate until after an individual has completed 25 official tournament games.  Until that time the rating is called provisional.  Individuals who have not completed three USCF tournament games are considered unrated.  A technical description of the USCF ratings system can be viewed from http://math.bu.edu/people/mg/ratings/rrating.system.pdf (A less technical description explaining approximating formulas can be viewed from http://math.bu.edu/people/mg/ratings/approx/approx.html)  You can join the USCF on the entry form or by going to http://beta.uschess.org/frontend/section_203.php. Non-USCF members at the time of entering will need to type "Joining below!" for both the USCF number and expiration date.  You can check your membership status and rating at: http://www.uschess.org/msa/MbrLst.php.  I should also note that there is a magazine that scholastic memberships receive four times a year.

I also see that there is another organization called CalChess. I realize I do not have to be a member, but what is this group? Is there any benefit for my child to join?

CalChess is the official state affiliate of the US Chess Federation.  Northern California is listed as a separate state in the USCF.  CalChess provides an interactive web site that includes an online journal, articles about chess in Northern California and throughout the world, a list of the top scholastic players in Nor Cal as well as a current list of all scholastic and adult tournaments being held in our area. The purpose of CalChess is to broaden and develop chess as art, recreation, and as a significant element of culture in Northern California and to cooperate with chess clubs, schools, the public and other groups throughout Northern California in chess instruction and in conduct of chess competitions and exhibitions of all types. Funds go to support these activities as well as to provide stipends to scholastic players attending national and international events. Another benefit of membership includes discounts at some scholastic tournaments.  You can join CalChess on the entry form for a minimal fee of  $5. CalChess is the State Affiliate of USCF not affiliated in any way with BayAreaChess (a regular affiliate of USCF).

Which U.S. Chess Federation rating will my child play under?
The rating that will be used must be the May Rating Supplement as that posts the official rating.  While in small competitions directors, like myself, often use the most recently posted rating, to be fair to players and Team coaches and so there is minimal confusion in to which section an individual should be placed, the May Supplement will be used.  All players will be listed by their official rating as of the May USCF Rating Supplement.  If a different rating is posted online when I post the entries, this rating and if need be, the section, will be changed and posted within a couple of weeks of the tournament.

My child is not a member of any school team can s/he compete?
Definitely! Chess is an individual sport and teams only add another flavor to the competition.

My child is home schooled, can s/he compete for a team?
Yes. Your child can compete for a team in the same school district as long as you can provide proof of homeschooling and school district compatibility. This option is not available to children who are NOT home schooled. The proof of this must be provided at least thirty days before the start of the tournament and approved by the Chief TD before the start of the tournament.
How do I know that my child is registered?
Entries are posted every few days about a month before the States at entries.html
The posting lists each players division, USCF rating, grade and school.

How would I go about finding a hotel room for this event
The official tournament hotel is the San Jose Hilton, 300 Almaden Blvd., San Jose, CA 95110. Rooms-$99 (up to 2 adults + 2 children). Call (408) 287-2100 or (800) 345-6565 and ask for CalChess rate. The room block is being held until April 16, 2008. If rooms are available after that date you can get the same rate. We selected the Hilton and negotiated special rates with them because it is adjacentto the site.  They have a secured parking area for the hotel.  CalChess has no obligation to the hotel for room nights nor will we be getting any kick-backs.  We wanted the best price available for the parents.

What should my child and I bring to the tournament?  
We suggest that you bring a chess set and a chess clock if you have one. While there will be food sold at the site. We do suggest some healthy snacks and lots of water.  We cannot allow soda or fruit drinks in the playing hall and so we suggest you provide your child with bottled water.  We will have water stations in the playing area, but children hate leaving their games to hydrate as much as they should to maintain adequate health during games that can go as long as two and a half hours.  We will note here that we will have pencils, recording sheets, as well as chess sets for the players in the tournament hall and some extra clocks. See: Does my child have to use a chess clock?

When we arrive at the tournament site on April 28 what should we do? 
You should arrive at the San Jose Convention Center about a 45 minutes before the first round is scheduled to begin. We will post by 30 minutes before the start of the first round, the chess board your child will be playing at and the color they will play as well as their opponent.  The chart will look something like the one below.  You will note that the first column lists the player alphabetically by the last name.  This is where you should look.  The color indicates whether your child plays white or black.  Then comes the child's opponent and his or her rating.  The Board is the Board number that the child plays on in his or her section. You may note that one player has a full point bye.  This occurs when there is an uneven number of players in the section.  The lowest rated player with the lowest score gets the full point bye (equivalent to a win) for that round. Unrated players are generally not given byes.  Half-point byes may be given upon the request of a player to miss a round.  No half-point byes can be given in the last round of the tournament.

Once you know what board your child is playing on, please sit them at that board at the proper color.  PLEASE BE SURE THE CHILD IS IN THE CORRECT SECTION/DIVISION.  You will be asked to leave the playing room once the round is ready to begin.  Please exit the room immediately after wishing your child good luck. Inform your child where you will meet him or her when s/he is done with the game.   Please do not crowd the exit doors.  Young children will be asked to remain in a holding area outside the exit doors until the parents, coach or person responsible for the child picks them up.

Will there be food sold at the site?

Yes!  As noted in an answer to an earlier question, we strongly urge you to bring bottled water for your child's use in the tournament room. As stated above: "We will have water stations in the playing area, but children hate leaving their games to hydrate as much as they should to maintain adequate health during games that can go as long as two and a half hours." 

Are there special rules that apply to this tournament?
The tournament is run under the US Chess Federation's Fifth Edition Rule Book.  However, a few modifications have been made.  Please see the following links for these modifications and clarifications: CalChess State Scholastic Regulations & Modifications and Interpretations of Regulations and our Code of Conduct

Does my child have to use a chess clock?
Chess rules require that all players use a chess clock due to having time controls.  Admittedly, many children are done with their games as soon as the Director says, "Begin your games!" :0)  If your child does not have a clock, a tournament director may place one at the board.  In the vast majority of sections we will not have enough clocks available.  If your child's game is still going on and a clock becomes available, the TD may place a clock at his/her board and split the remaining time between the two competitors.  The TD, if the child does not know how to use a clock, will explain to the player(s) how the clock works.  Basic information for using clocks: http://www.wholesalechess.com/resources/use-chess-clocks.html  Information on using chess clocks and related rules for more advanced players: http://www.hydeparkchess.com/Chess-Clock-Use.htm.

Does my child have to write down (notate) his/her games?
Our rules, following national scholastic regulations, state that no one in K-3 sections have to record the games, although we always recommend that the player does.  In the 4-6 grade sections, only the Varsity, Championship, Open section must record.  Players in the 4-6 Junior Varsity and Novice Division do not have to record.  All players in Junior High School and above MUST write down (record/notate) their games.  A TD after warning a player that is suppose to keep score who fails to do so, may add time to the opponents clock or reduce time from the offending party.  TD's may also decide to penalize the offending player in another manner  and in extreme case can give the opponent of the offending player a forfeit win.

What about my child using an electronic recording device similar to the MonRoi? 
These devices are new to us and we are concerned about their ability to broadcast games to outside locations.  Since it will be difficult to monitor players who go to the restrooms outside the playing area, the Chief TD for this year's States has ruled that any electronic recording device will not be permitted.

I understand that as of January 1, 2007 Rule 15A has been changed to read that a player must first make  the move and then record it on a score sheet.  Will this be process be enforced at this year's States? <
We are going to enforce the old Rule 15A (page 55 in the 5th edition of the rules) allowing the move to be written on the score sheet first.

I heard that Southern California has its own State Championships.  How can this be? The United States Chess Federation, the governing body of chess, about 30 years ago divided California into two states--North and South. We gave the name CalChess to the Northern California State. So this is a legitimate State Championship run by CalChess and USCF sanctioned.  Winners of the championship sections receive the title State Champion if they reside in Northern California.  In past years, the fame of this tournament and our outstanding competition drew players from other states.  Some won their divisions, but despite obtain the first place trophy did not receive the title of State Champion. While we do not have a list of all the State Champions over the 31years of this event, you can view a list of those winning the title, individual or team, at http://www.calnorthyouthchess.org/Champions/Champions.html

Is Financial Aid Available?
Yes, information can be found at http://www.calnorthyouthchess.org/FinancialAid.html

What about the Awards Ceremony?
First, all players will receive a tournament pin. Second, we have nearly 800 trophies, plaques and medals to give to the players(please see the application for details). If possible we will distribute these after each section is completed, however, the main awards ceremonies for k-3 players (*except those in the Varsity Division) will start at 6:30 PM on Saturday.  We will present the awards for 4-12 grades, hopefully by 6:30 PM on Sunday or within 15 minutes after all the games are complete.  A special section of chairs will be set aside to the right of the stage for all award winners.  The children should not sit in this section until we are ready to give out the awards for their section/division.  We hope we will be able to post the winners under the section signs in the hallways before the ceremonies so the players will know to sit in the special section.

What are tie-breaks? Which will be used?
Tie-breaks are used when their are ties in position for the awarding of the trophies.  In adult tournaments where money is awarded they can divide the money, however, we, obviously cannot split a first place trophy when two people tie for first.  Section 34 of the US Chess Federation Rules of Chess says: "There is no perfect tie-break system; each has its faults."  We will adhere to the tie-break order listed on page 199 of The Rules of Chess:*
1. Modified Median:  The Median system evaluates the strength of a player's opposition by summing the final scores of his or her opponents and then discarding the highest and lowest of these scores.
2. Solkoff: The Solkoff system is the same as the Median system except that no opponent's scores are discarded.
3. Cumulative: To determine cumulative tie-break score, simply add up the cumulative (running) score for each round.
4. Cumulative of Opposition: The cumulative tie-break points of each opponent are calculated and these are added together.
The computer program calculates these automatically.
Team tie-breaks will be based on Cumulative Score.