Sections and Qualifications

Kindergarten - No qualification required. One section.

*For K Only - Limited space available, players will be allowed on a first come-first serve basis.

Grades 1-3 - Premier (U800) and Championship:

Premier Sections are open to any player under the rating threshold (for grades 1-3, all players rated under 800). No additional qualifications required. NWSRS rated only. Players who qualify for Championship Sections may still choose to play in the Premier Section, so long as their rating falls under the threshold.

Championship Sections have a qualification requirement. Players may qualify by earning a plus (>50% of the possible score) in a 4+ round tournament rated by the NWSRS. No rating requirement. Championship Sections will be dual NWSRS/USCF rated (see USCF Notes below).

Grades 4-6 - Premier (U1000) and Championship:

Premier Sections are open to any player under the rating threshold (for grades 4-6, all players rated under 1000). No additional qualifications required. NWSRS rated only. Players who qualify for Championship Sections may still choose to play in the Premier Section, so long as their rating falls under the threshold.
Championship Sections have a qualification requirement. Players may qualify by earning a plus (>50% of the possible score) in a 4+ round tournament rated by the NWSRS. No rating requirement. Championship Sections will be dual NWSRS/USCF rated (see USCF Notes below).

Middle School and High School Rapid Championships - U1100 and Open

U1100 Sections will be the same format (g/25;d5) and on the same schedule as the Grades 1-6 sections, all held at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Open to any player in the specified grades playing under the rating threshold (all players under 1100), no additional qualification required. NWSRS rated only.
Open Sections will be 4 rounds of G/55;d5, held separately in the Marriott Tacoma Downtown (hotel connected to the Convention Center). No qualification required. Open Sections will be dual NWSRS/USCF rated (see USCF Notes below).

USCF Notes

All USCF-rated sections require an active US Chess membership at the beginning of the competition. Those who do not have an active membership may not be paired for Round 1.
Notation will be required by all players in USCF-rated (Championship) Sections, except grades K-2. Grades K-2 are exempt from notation requirements.
In USCF-rated (Championship) sections either player may bring their own clock to use. In grades K-2 both players must agree to use the clock. In grades 3+ players may not decline the use of a clock if provided by their opponent.
US Chess memberships may be purchased from the following site: https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess. Financial assistance for US Chess Membership is available upon request.

Additional Notes

Premier Sections and Championship Sections (Grades 1-6) will all take place in the playing hall at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Games for all sections will begin at the same time and play on the same schedule.
Players in both Premier and Championship Sections (Grades 1-6) will receive trophies if they score 3+ points at the event. Players in both sections will receive a commemorative medal if they do not win an individual trophy.
Players may only play in their specific grade level section (ex: a 3rd grader may not play in any 4th grade Section)
Players whose ratings rise over 800 at the time of the competition will be moved into the Championship Section. These players may be emailed prior to the event. Players who are moved into Championship Sections will require US Chess Memberships.
6th Grade students may opt to play in the 6th Grade Sections or in the Middle School U1100 or Open.
For Additional Questions: please contact Tournament Organizer Jacob Mayer at Jacob.MayerChess@gmail.com