Loretto Academy Scholastic Chess Championships

Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025

Format: GAME CONTROL TIMES G20;d0  4 Round Swiss for Novice (40 min per round no eliminations play all rounds)

              G30:d0 5 Round Swiss Championship Sections (1 hour per round no elimination play all rounds)

 Sections:  K-2^nd, 3^rd-5^th, 6^th- 8^th, 9^th-12^th Non-US CHESS MEMBERS NOVICE

                   K-12th All Girls Non-US CHESS MEMBERS NOVICE

                   K-5^th, 6^th-8^th, 9^th-12^th US CHESS MEMBERS CHAMPIONSHIP

                   K-12th ALL GIRLS US CHESS MEMBERS CHAMPIONSHIP

                    

    Open to all players from surrounding area including New Mexico and Juarez, Mexico and all US CHESS Scholastic Members.

 

 

Prizes: Individual Medals for Non-US Chess Members SectionS 1^st -5^th place

             Individual Trophy for US Chess Members Championship Section s1^st-5^th Place.  

             Team Trophy for Top 3 Teams in Championship and Top 2 in Novice sections  (Please see team info at Bottom)

US Chess Memberships: Membership is required in all championship sections. Obtain this BEFORE registering for the tournament. It must be paid for and valid (non-expired) for the month of MARCH 2025. Tournament Directors will verify the membership on the USChess website. Purchase or renew a USChess membership online at www.uschess.org. Please do NOT select the option to “Pay Later” since that will not give you a valid expiration date.  Membership fees are $24 per year for players under age 19. ($66 For Family Plan.)

 

Scholastic Regulation for US Chess members

 https://new.uschess.org/news/2023-2024-scholastic-regulations

 

Algebraic Notation: Required for all players in the US Chess Rated Championship sections. Notation sheets must be signed and completely filled out by players. Yellow copy is players copy, white sheet is turned into TD. Both players must sign.

Round Time: 

First round starts at 10am. No eliminations. The next rounds will start immediately following.

 Tournament Registration, Fees, and player check-in:

 Please use the online registration on http://Loretto.org  or on Kings Registration.com

 

Early Entry Discount $10 before 10 pm on 3/27/25 for all NOVICE sections.  $20 before 10pm on 3/27/25

   $15 US Chess CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE 10PM ON 3/27/25 FOR ALL NOVICE SECTIONS. $15 BEFORE 10PM ON 3/27/25  Please register online as early as possible. (Early entries help ensure a smooth event.) No refunds. No player substitutions allowed. Available on first come first served basis based upon availability of seating. Scholastics only.

 

No online entries accepted after 10 pm MOUNTAIN TIME  on 3/27/25.

 

Late On-site Entry $15 for non us chess member NOVICE sections and $20 US CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION cash only.

On-site Registration will be offered ONLY if there is room left: from 8:45am - 9:30 AM in cafeteria. All on-site Registrants will receive a first-round half-point bye. This means they will not play in the first round and they will start playing in round 2.  This will help us start the event on time.

 

Player check-in from 9am to 930am in person. If players are not marked present in the non US Chess NOVICE player section they will be removed from the tournament and they forfeit registration fee.

 

Equipment: Limited number of sets will be provided for tournament. Scoresheets for US chess member section are provided. Yellow score sheets are players copy and white must be filled out and signed by both players and submitted to TD. They become property of affiliate. Players should bring pencils or pens to take notation. Please bring a digital chess clock if you have one. (LABEL it with your name!) Limited clocks provided for use to only US Chess event. Clocks and boards for sale.

Online Registration:  School Website and Kings Registration. In-person registration is available based on availability.

 

Lunch: Loretto will also be providing concessions. Rolling schedule no lunch break.

 

Parking:

On Reynolds Street.

  

TEAMS:

A scholastic team will consist of students who attend the same school and play in the same section. The team score will be determined at the conclusion of the tournament to include the top four scores from that team. A school must have a minimum of  4 players in the same section in order to compete for a team award. A team may have any number of members, but only the top four scorers will count toward team competition.

Homeschool students may play as a team if they are members of (1) the same nuclear family or (2) a support group or co-op that provides academic learning (not just chess). Homeschool students who want to play as a team must contact Renate Garcia in advance of the tournament to get a team code (if their organization meets the TCA definition of a homeschool team). Homeschooled student may not play for a public school.

Trophies for all sections awarded to top 3 schools in championship section and top 2 in Novice.

Team rosters: may be submitted to Organizer at the following email crusaderchessclubelp@gmail.com as soon as possible with the following information attached. Team Rosters will NOT be allowed on day of event! Name of Player, US CHESS MEMBER ID and Expiration, Section, Grade, School/ Team, Name of Coach and School, Coach Contact Info. Payment Voucher information or check are accepted by THURSDAY, MARCH 27 in person and may be turned into Loretto Contact see address below unless otherwise confirmed with Event organizer. Each player on team must sign, fill out and return a signed Publishing Consent form.  Coach is responsible for forwarding this form to their players and to ensure it is received to organizer at the same time as payment. SEE BELOW.

 FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT SECTIONS OR FOR FURTHER INFO PLEASE CONTACT TOURNAMENT ORGANIZER BELOW:

Affiliate: Crusader Chess Club of EL Paso TX

Event/ Tournament Organizer: Renate Garcia

Chief TD- Local TD Michelle Hickman

Contact Info: 915.256.7783 crusaderchessclubelp@gmail.com

Loretto Contact:  Norma Lopez, Elementary Principal: nlopez@loretto.org 

Loretto Elementary School

4625 Clifton

El Paso, TX 79903

(915) 566-8400 ext 1501

 

This form must be filled out for each player.  Coaches please ensure that this form gets to your players. Failure to complete form may result in removal from the event.

                                                                                  PUBLISHING CONSENT FORM

  I, ______________________ as the Parent or Legal Guardian of a minor or minors, provide my consent to Crusader Chess Club of El Paso to publish photos (with possible identifying captions) or videos taken during, or articles written about, this event which may include the name of, or other identifying information about, your child/children such as their name or  team and school.  This properly promotes their wins and to showcase their talents on the board. We believe in promoting chess and the love of the game! https://www.facebook.com/crusaderchessclubelp

Disclaimer: Not providing consent does not revoke or remove the possibility that your child’s/children’s name and Chess rating may appear on Tournament Results or Top Players Lists published through any of the methods described below.

Child name(s): _____________________________________________________

School /Team:______________________________________________________

My consent is provided for the following publishing methods:

• Print media such as local, state, national and/or international publications, including Texas Knights (the Official Publication of TCA which is mailed to premium members and also provided in a digital edition which is made available for access and downloadable from the TCA website) and US Chess Federation Websites that may be locally, nationally and/or internationally administered, including the website at https://uschess.org (the official us chess federation website and https://TexasChess.org (the official website of TCA).
• Social Media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. including the page at https://facebook.com/TexasChess (the official Facebook page administered by TCA) and US Chess Federation Facebook and website publications including social media outlets. Uschess.org

 Any consent agreed to for this event will not extend past this event, and a similar form may need to be completed for any future events.

 Parent/Legal Guardian Signature ___________________________________ Date ______________

 

 

Tournament Regulations

 

Spectators:

What is the spectator policy?

Effective immediately, the playing halls at scholastic events organized by Crusader Chess will be open to the following people while games are in progress:

• Players with games in progress in that room
• Tournament staff
• Press and other attendees with badges authorizing their access
• Other persons directly authorized

What does this mean?

Parents, coaches and other attendees who do not fall into the four above categories must leave the playing hall before the tournament director in charge of the playing hall will begin play.  Once a player in that room has reported a result, that player must leave the room for the remainder of that round.  Parents and coaches should instruct their players who have completed games not to go back into the playing hall, even to check on teammates’ or friends’ still-active games.

Penalties for violating this policy are at the discretion of the chief tournament director.

What can I do to ensure my child finds me after a game?

The hallways in front of main playing areas must permit foot traffic to flow through them. We recommend designating one person from the team to gather the kids and send the players to wait in the skittles area.  Groups cannot set up seating areas in those hallways.  Crusader Chess has maximized available space for parents and coaches who choose to wait there.

1. At time of registration, you should provide complete written information on all students who will be attending the event. If you need to make any corrections, make sure all necessary forms are completed during the registration period.
2. Communicate with Tournament Directors about any scheduling issues. If for any reason a player needs to skip a round or will be late for a round, you MUST inform Tournament Headquarters (prior to the beginning of the tournament if possible).
3. If a player must withdraw from the tournament because of an emergency or illness, notify Tournament Headquarters ASAP.
4. Offer moral support to your players. Berating a child after a loss won’t help their self esteem.
5. Make sure your players exhibit good sportsmanship. Set a good example by refraining from bragging about your students’ victories or agonizing about their losses. Hazing, taunting, or otherwise harassing other players and/or teams is prohibited. No player, coach, or parent should use offensive language at any time. If necessary we reserve the right to remove from the tournament for any violations.
6. Provide instruction for your players before and after the rounds. No instruction may take place during the round. No player should have any communication with you until after the game is over.

7. Help your players find their pairings on the posted pairing sheet, and help them find the right boards. Help them set their clocks if necessary. You may enter the tournament hall at the start of the round to ensure your player is at the right seat. Photos may be taken before round starts.
8. Check the cross tables for accuracy and report any errors to Tournament chess Control immediately.
9. Make sure your players stay out of trouble and that they do not disturb the tournament site, other players. If Tournament staff are notified of any issues we reserve the right to remove the player from the tournament immediately.
10. Stay on-site or arrange for another adult supervisor to stay on-site to supervise your players. Tournament officials are too busy running the tournament to be responsible for players’ safety and behavior. It is your job to monitor your players’ activities. Please look out for the start of next round. We will not hunt you down and your will lose time and forfeit the game.
11. Help maintain proper order at the tournament site. Remind the students to pick up and dispose of their own trash and keep up with their chess equipment.
12. If you would like to help with the tournament, check with someone in Tournament Headquarters to see what you can do to help.
13. Make sure the players have fun! With the stress of the competition they need to unwind and relax after their games.
14. Rounds will be run consecutively. If players are not sitting in their positions at the time of the start of the round they will be put on a clock. It is the players responsibility to look out for round times and to be ready for each round.
15. Lunch will not be provided. Players may eat at the boards, but we ask to be careful and not spill. We will be playing straight through and will not pause the event for lunch.
16. No Headphones. No cell phones allowed during your round, May store them in the off mode and under table in bag out of site preferably.
17. Restroom procedure for this tournament- We encourage all players to please use the restroom before the start of each round. There are bathrooms available across from Tournament hall. You may not take a phone inside the bathroom.
18. You may NOT discuss or analyze your game, nor consult any written material, notes, your coach, your parents, or your teammates while away from your board. Tournament staff will be on look out for infractions and will remove players for noncompliance with this rule.
19. Algebraic notation is required per us chess rules. The white copy must be turned in to TD. You keep yellow copy. If you would like a copy of the white sheet we will be happy to accommodate you let us know. Please fill out the form and sign. See TD for more in depth rules. Failure to provide notation sheets to TD may result in penalties imposed to the player.
20. We will provide limited boards. We have limited clocks for use in us chess rated sections only. Players are required to bring their own clocks as per us chess rules. We do have some clocks for sale if you would like to purchase.

     21.  Spectators may be not allowed in the tournament room up to the TD discretion. No talking to players is allowed.

TD/organizer reserves right to withdraw you from tournament due to conduct and unsportsmanlike like behavior. Please be respectful to players, parents, coaches, TDs and staff or you will be removed from the  property. We will follow the tournament life announcement as posted in US chess.

In case of a question go to Tournament Chess Control or speak to Crusader Chess.

915.256.7783   crusaderchessclubelp@gmail.com

We encourage you to become familiar with the guidelines issued by US Chess https://new.uschess.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/us-chess-safe-play-guidelines.pdf