Chess Tournaments
US Chess Rated Scholastic chess tournaments
Offered monthly through the school year, these tournaments are designed to give Onslow County students (public, private, homeschool, base, charter) the opportunity to compete in US Chess Rated tournaments. They’ll gain experience using chess clocks and writing chess notation.
Each tournament will be three rounds and students will be able to play all three games. The time control is G/25 d5 (each player gets 25 minutes plus a 5 second delay before the clock counts down each move).
Sept 19th
Flyer
Elementary Results
Middle/High School Results
Oct 17th
Flyer
Register (First Time) Register (Previous Attendees)
Results - https://ratings.uschess.org/event/202610170743
Nov 21st - Details & Registration - https://chessnut.club/e/nov-21st-scholastic-tournament
Dec 12th
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Source: About | US Chess.org
The US Chess Federation (US Chess) is the official governing body and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization for chess players and chess supporters in the United States. Our mission is to empower people, enrich lives, and enhance communities through chess. Our vision is that chess is recognized as an essential tool that is inclusive, benefits education and rehabilitation, and promotes recreation and friendly competition.US Chess represents the United States in the World Chess Federation (FIDE), connecting our members to chess players around the world. Founded in 1939 with the merger of the American Chess Federation and the National Chess Federation, US Chess has grown to serve over 110,000 members and 1,300 affiliated chess clubs and organizations today.
Every year, US Chess sanctions and rates over 10,000 tournaments and over half a million games. We host over 25 National Championships and award titles to both amateurs and professionals, ranging from elementary school students to senior citizens.
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Format:
3 Rounds Swiss System - 3 games are played, no elimination, you play someone with the same score as you
Time Control - G/25 d5 - each player begins with 25 minutes and a five second delay before their clock starts every moveUsing a Chess Clock:
Each players gets their own clock. In the above time control, the player gets 25 minutes for all their moves. They are responsible for keeping track of their time and the opponents. A player loses on time if they have no remaining time AND the opponent calls time.More Useful Information (Intro to Chess, Clocks, Notation, & More!) - The United States Chess Federation - Learn to Play Chess
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Medals are awarded to top 3 performing individuals for 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place.
Clear standings look like:
Ronald Weasley, 3 pts, 1st Place
Harry Potter, 2 pts, 2nd Place
Hermione Granger, 1.5 pts, 3rd Place
Somebody Else, 1 pt, 4th Place
Everyone Else
If there are two players with a 3-0 score, they are JOINT 1st-2nd and BOTH will be awarded a 1st place medal and no second-place medal will be issued. The second-place individual got upgraded to a 1st place medal.
The standings will look like:
Harry Potter, 3 pts, 1st-2nd place
Hermione Granger, 3 pts, 1st-2nd place
Ronald Weasley, 2 pts, 3rd place
If there are ties for 2nd or 3rd place, we will allow the computer to calculate the tiebreaks mathematically. So if two players have the same score of 2 pts, the computer will decide who gets 2nd and who gets 3rd.
Sample standings (2nd place tie):
Hermione Granger, 3 pts, 1st Place
Ronald Weasley, 2 pts, 2nd Place
Harry Potter, 2 pts, 3rd place
Everyone else, 1.5 pts / 1 pt, 4th place and below
Sample standings (3rd place tie: the computer decides)
Hermione Granger, 3 pts, 1st place
Harry Potter, 2 pts, 2nd place
Ronald Weasley, 1 pt, 3rd place
Everyone else, 1 pt, 4th place and below -
Local clubs include:
Jacksonville Chess Club - Dairi-Os, Thursdays @ 6pm
Onslow County Library (Main Branch) -
Mondays/Wednesdays 10am-1pm
Wednesdays (starting in October) 2pm-5pm -
The website Chess Tournament Guide | Practical Guidance for Players and Parents has many resources.
Parent Guide - Chess Parent Guide (Free Printable) | Chess Tournament Guide
First Tournament Guide - First Chess Tournament Starter Pack | Chess Tournament Guide
The website (minus the ads) is chock full of good information. It will have answers to questions you haven’t even thought to ask yet.
We're pleased to bring you our first USCF Rated tournament as the nonprofit organization Strategic Moves Chess Center. Our hope is to bring events, classes, camps, and more to Onslow County and surrounding areas. The majority of our events will be free and therefore operate based on the generosity of donors. Please visit our website to discover how you can support our efforts. Strategic Moves Chess Center
DISCLAIMER: Upfront, we want to make clear that this will not be a cash entry / cash prize event. We will accept donations to offset the rental costs, event costs, and cost of non-cash prizes.
PRIZES: For this tournament, prizes will be determined by your own individual result and not how you stack up against others. Win 1 game out of 3, and you'll have a small selection of prizes to choose from. Win 3 out of 3 games and you'll get a bonus prize. Prizes will be things like chess accessories, chess books, chess sets, and more.
ENTRY IS FREE, BUT US CHESS FEDERATION MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED
Event Description
Date: Nov 14, 2026
Location: Kerr St Recreation Center, 36 Kerr St, Jacksonville, NC 28540 - Facilities • Kerr Street Recreation Center
Format: 3 round swiss
Time Control: G/75 d5
Sections: Open, U1300
Schedule
Round 1 - 10:00am
Round 2 - 1:00pm
Round 3 - 4:00pm or ASAP
Registration - https://chessnut.club/e/thankful-for-chess
Entry Fee: FREE, but donations are appreciated
JOIN THE US CHESS FEDERATION (REQUIRED) - Join US Chess | US Chess.org
Donations: Donate — Strategic Moves Chess Center
Due to limited space, registration is limited to online only.
Prizes: Exact prizes for each category below to be determined. Example items include chess bookmarks, hats, books, and sets.
0 wins/0 draws - no prizes
1 draw
1 win
1 win/1 draw
1 win/2 draws
2 wins
2 wins/1 draw
3 wins
Bonus Prize - players will get a choice of picking a team (Pawn, Bishop, Knight, etc.) when they join with a max of 5 players per team. The team with the most points combined will win an additional prize.
All About The Tournaments
US Chess Rated
Our goal is to provide competitive chess tournaments for players of all ages and abilities. We are affiliated with the US Chess Federation and abide by all rules and regulations outlined in the US Chess Rulebook (7th edition).
Tournament directors
All tournament directors are Safe Sport certified in accordance with USCF requirements. We believe in running a safe for all, well-organized, well-oiled tournament.
Beginner players
We strongly suggest that beginners have prior practice using a chess clock and writing down notation so they’re not struggling at their first tournament. Ask at a local chess club if you can practice ahead of time. There are scoresheets available for young beginners and new adults.