Please read CCC Terms and Conditions and Fair Play Policy.

No spectators. Parents are spectators are not permitted in the playing area or in the nearby hallways and restrooms.

100-Point Rule: Must be within 100 points of next section to play up (e.g. 2000+ to enter Championship). In addition to January 2026 US Chess Supplement Ratings, we will also honor peak ratings since November 19.

Ratings:

• All sections are US Chess rated. US Chess membership is required.

• The Championship, U2100, U1900, and U1700 sections are also FIDE-rated and use FIDE rules, except for 2-day schedule, rounds 1-3

• Unrated players must enter the Under 1100 or Scholastic U700 if K-8 and are eligible for prizes in these sections.

• Ratings Used for Pairings and Prizes:

  • For most players, January 2026 US Chess supplement ratings are used.

  • For players who would otherwise be unrated, their live US Chess tournament history rating will be used.

  • For players who are “playing up” based on their most recent live (tournament history) rating and using the 100-point rule, this live rating will be used if they would otherwise not qualify for the higher section.

  • For players who are “playing up” based on a peak rating since November 19, but who have since fallen below the 100-point cutoff, they are still eligible for the higher section, but the highest of their January supplement and most recent live rating will be used (not necessarily the peak rating).

  • For foreign FIDE-rated players with no US Chess rating (or insufficient recent US Chess rating history), the following formulas may be used to assign a US Chess rating:

    • FIDE Ratings 2000+: 1.02 * FIDE + 20.

    • FIDE Ratings U2000: usually assigned at par, unless a different foreign rating system (e.g. CFC) is available and used for rating assignment, with possible adjustment by the Chief TD.

  • In exceptional cases, the Chief TD may assign a different rating than specified above to a player for any reason. Assigned ratings will never be lower than the current US Chess supplement used for the event.

Re-Entry: 

• If players have an undesirable start to the event, they may wish to re-enter, for example re-entering from the 3-day to the 2-day schedule, or re-entering the same schedule with up to 3 half-point byes.

• There is no re-entry from Championship to Championship.

• Players may re-enter for a $60 fee online (preferred) or on-site.

• Re-entry closes 75 minutes before game.

Withdrawals / Refunds:

• Withdrawals by January 10 will be refunded less a $10 transaction fee.

• Withdrawals between January 10-14 will be refunded less a $20 transaction fee.

• 50% refunds after January 14 until 75 minutes before round 1.

• All withdrawals during the event must be submitted at least 75 minutes before the affected round.

• Failure to notify us of a pending withdrawal or zero-point bye which leads to a forfeit by “no-show” will incur a fine of $100.

Byes: Up to 3 optional half-point byes, request before round 1. All byes requested during tournament are zero points.

Boards, sets, clocks provided (must use our equipment).

In all sections, White's clock will be started at the beginning of the round, even if one or both players are not present.

Plaques awarded to first place in each section based on the following tiebreaks: Cumulative, Average Opposition cut one.

By registering for or attending this event and side events, players and guests grant permission to CCC to take and use photographs and video for purposes related to the event.