Pairings
9-12: Round 4, 1 board remaiing
6-8: Round 5
4-5 Round 5
K1: Complete
K3: Complete
Questions?
For all questions, e-mail k12@kychess.org – this will be monitored even during the tournament!. Please do not enter the playing areas unless you are an active player.
Schedule
- There is no check in, but players will be seated for Round 1 at 9AM. Late players will be paired and clocks will start at the beginning of the tournament.
- Player sick, missing the first round but will come late? E-mail k12@kychess.org.
- Round 1: 9:00 AM.
- Rounds 2–5: ASAP. K-1 and K-3 have a faster time control and will finish their rounds earlier.
- Lunch: A lunch break of at least 30 minutes will be provided between Round 2 and Round 3.
- Awards: As sections finish; estimated completion by 6:00 PM for slowest section (K-8 or K-12). K-1 and K-3 typically finish much earlier.
Layout
- Skittles Area will be in the cafeteria. Enter via Door 5 from the gated parking garage.
- Restrooms for non-players and players not in active games: in the hallway outside the Skittles Area
- Playing Hall for most players: in the gym. No non-players should come into the hallway to the cafeteria.
- The top two boards for every section will be in the “championship room” upstairs. If your student is on those boards, there will be signs directing them upstairs or they should see the adult at the Scorer’s Table.
- Exception: Parents of K-1 students may escort them to their boards and may wait for them outside the playing hall.
- Restrooms near the Gym are only for active players and TDs. Players in active games may not leave this area. Players in active games are not permitted to talk to anyone while going to the restroom and vice-versa.
- Awards will be in the Skittles Area.
- Do not allow your kids on the stage, lest they become the least popular kid in the tournament by destroying everyone’s trophies!
Tournament Rules & Logistics
- No Teams: Players may play other students on the same team at State Individuals.
- Equipment: Boards and pieces provided.
- Notation: Required for players in K-8 & K-12. Players not taking notation will be assessed a time penalty. Players are responsible for bringing their own notation sheets and writing utensils. Printable score sheets can be found here and some extras will be available. Electronic scoresheets are prohibited.
- Byes: No byes are available for this tournament.
- Special Qualifications: This event serves at the Kentucky Qualifier for the following National Tournaments
- K-3: GM Maurice Ashley National Tournament of K-3 State Champions
- 4-5: Rockefeller National Tournament of Elementary School State Champions
- 6-8: Barber National Tournament of Middle School State Champions
- 9-12: Denker National Tournament of High School State Champions
- Any girl who scores 50% or better in K-8 or K-12, 4-1 or better in K-5, or undefeated in K-3 qualifies for the inaugural Kentucky Girls Championship, a new invitational event to determine Kentucky’s nominee to the Ruth Haring Tournament of Girls State Champions (April/May 2026).
- Technical Rules: Rule 15A (writing moves prior to making them) and 10I2 (touching rook first when castling) are in effect. Accelerated pairings may be used. The TD reserves the right to use live Regular or Quick ratings for pairing purposes. The “No-Show” or “Forfeit” time for late arrival is 30 minutes for all sections.
- Registering for the tournament includes consent to be contacted by the KCA for future tournaments.
Amenities & Safety
- Supervision: Players under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event.
- Concessions: Available for purchase on-site.
- Seating: Parents/players are strongly encouraged to bring camp chairs and folding tables. There is seating available on cafeteria tables as well.
Trophies and Tiebreaks
Trophies to the top 10 individuals. Tiebreak medals will be given for scores of 3.5+, subject to supply. Final Standings will be be posted online.
Ties for national invites: Time permitting, ties for national qualifier spots will be broken by a G/10+5 playoff. This time control may be shortened to as little as G/5 at the discretion of the Chief TD. For details, see section O3 of the Blue Book.
Tiebreaks basically boil down to “strength of schedule” in various forms. They are quite complex but details can be found in section O of the Blue Book.
For more information on chess tournaments, particularly if this your child’s first tournament, see A Parent’s Guide to Scholastic Chess in Kentucky.