2010 Pittsburgh Scholastic Chess Championship
Saturday February 27, 2010 from 9:30am ~ 4pm

Schedule: Everyone should bring a chess set, board and pencil and be at the playing site by 9:30am. Rounds begin approximately 10:00am, 11:15am, 12:45pm, and 2pm. One hour is alloted for each game, with the results of unfinished games by judged by the directors. For parents whose children are old enough to drop off, most games will probably done by 2:45, but can go on till 3pm. Award ceremony will be from approximately 3:15 to 4pm.

Playing Format: No eliminations. Everyone plays 4 games. Pairings are made using a method called the Swiss System, which matches players together who have the same number of points each round. Your opponents get tougher if you keep winning, and easier each time you lose. For this tournament, use of chess clocks and recording of your moves is only required in the Grades 6 to 12 Championship, Grades 6 to 12 Advanced, and Grades K to 5 Championship sections. If you do not own a clock, you are not required to purchase one. However, if you are playing in one of the 3 sections listed above and either player has a clock, you are required to use it. Using a clock protects you from stalling by your opponent. Recording your moves will not be required in other sections but failure to do so can limit certain claims to tournament directors. Since keeping notation allows you to review your games, it is recommended that all players learn to use it.

Team Competition: When four or more students from one school play in the tournament, they will automatically be considered a team. They do not need to all sign up at once or register in any special way to be counted as a team. If less than 4 students from one school enter, they play only for individual prizes. There is no maximum to the number of students who can play on your team. However, each team's score will be computed by summing the results of the 4 highest scoring players on the team. Having a large team increases your odds of winning and cannot hurt you. Team members can play in different sections. Teams from all grade levels will be competing against one another. You will not be paired against other members of your team. The top 2 teams will each receive a trophy for their school and a ribbon for each member of their team. The members of the 3rd place team will also receive ribbons.

Individual Prizes: In each section, trophies to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th place winners. Ribbons to the 6th place finishers, top girl and top unrated player. Ties for trophies will be broken using the following tiebreaking systems in the order given: Solkoff, Modified Median, and the Cumulative Points method. These methods all attempt, in different ways, to determine who played the toughest field of opponents. The idea is that in the event of a tie, the person who played tougher opposition should come out ahead of the person who played easier opponents. All players tied for ribbons will receive one.

A minimum of 48 trophies will be awarded, along with countless ribbons. It is highly likely that Extra trophies will be added based on additional early entries. Get more trophies for your section by entering early.

Cost: Entry fee is $16 if postmarked by 2/13/10. Later entries pay $5 more and are accepted until 7pm on 2/26/10. US Chess Federation (USCF) membership is required of all entrants. Membership options are listed in the registration form section below. Memberships allow your games to be rated and include online access to a chess magazine.

Questions: Call Chessmaster Jerry Meyers at (412) 422-1770.

We have great classes for kids at the Pittsburgh Chess Club. Sundays: Beginners (under 350 or Unrated) 3:15-4:15pm, Advanced Beginners (350-600) from 2-3pm; Intermediate (600-1000) from 12:45-1:45pm, starting 3/8/09. Monday nights: Advanced class (kids & Adults 1000-1600) from 7pm-8:30, starting 2/28/10. 6 weeks, $40 Sundays, $45 Monday nights. Learn a lot, have fun, meet new friends. Call Jerry Meyers at (412) 422-1770 for registration form and details.