K-12 players throughout the U.S.A. are welcome.
47 Individual Trophies & 19 Team Trophies
Players in the Varsity section can earn Maryland-Sweet-16 Varsity Points to qualify for the MD Sweet 16, an annual invitational tournament at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The MD-Sweet-16 Champion will receive a 4-year MD-Sweet-16 UMBC Chess Scholarship, valued at $39,056 in 2012-2013. The top 16 players who compete in at least 1 of MCA’s 8 MD-Sweet-16 qualifying tournaments from September - February will qualify for the MD Sweet 16 on March 2-3. There are additional UMBC Chess Scholarships.
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute & Western High School
1400 W. Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21209
[From I-83 take exit 9A to go east on W. Cold Spring Lane. At the first light, take a left to enter Poly’s parking lots.]
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SECTIONS (Round 1 for all sections at 9:30 AM. Subsequent rounds as soon as possible.)
The sections below are listed primarily in descending order of rating strength and secondarily in descending order of grade range. Most players register for the lowest section for which they qualify, so as to enhance their ability to win a trophy.
Varsity
grades K-12, rated 1100+
trophies to the top 9 individuals, the top under-1400 individual, & the top 4 teams
3-SS, G/45 inc/30 (3-round Swiss System, 45-minute Game per player & 30-second increment per move)
Junior Varsity
grades K-12, rated 700-1199 or strong unrated high-school players (grades 9-12)
trophies to the top 5 individuals, the top under-1000 individual, & the top 3 teams
4-SS, G/60 d/5 (4-round Swiss System, 60-minute Game per player & 5-second delay per move)
High-School & Middle-School Intermediate
grades 6-12, rated under 800 or unrated
trophies to the top 9 individuals, the top under-600 individual, & the top 3 teams
5-SS, G/45 d/5 (5-round Swiss System, 45-minute Game per player & 5-second delay per move)
Elementary-School Intermediate
grades K-5, rated under 800 or unrated
trophies to the top 7 individuals, the top under-600 individual, & the top 3 teams
5-SS, G/45 d/5 (5-round Swiss System, 45-minute Game per player & 5-second delay per move)
Elementary-School Novice
grades K-5, rated under 400 or unrated
trophies to the top 12 individuals, the top under-200 individual, & the top 6 teams
5-SS, G/30 d/5 (5-round Swiss System, 30-minute Game per player & 5-second delay per move)
How to Register Online for an MCA Scholastic Tournament
Which USCF Rating Determines the Section(s) in which a Player May or Must Play?
Tournament Registration Fee
$15 (Regular), if received by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, 2/19 (online or received mail)
$20 (Last-Minute), if received by 7 PM on Thursday, 2/21 (online)
$30 (At-the-Door), 8:30 - 9:00 AM, Saturday, 2/23 (only if space is available; half-point bye likely in Round 1)
USCF Membership
Players are required to have a current USCF membership at USCF-rated tournaments, and all MCA tournaments are USCF-rated. Players without a current USCF membership are ineligible to play and will not be paired. Players without a current USCF membership at the scheduled close of online registration on Thursday night are unlikely to be paired in Round 1. If not paired, players will receive a half-point bye in Round 1 and 0-point byes in subsequent rounds, until their purchase of a current USCF membership has been processed. Processing a membership on the day of a tournament can take several hours; therefore, players who wait until the day of a tournament to purchase a current USCF membership are likely reducing their ability to win a trophy. A USCF membership can be purchased online or by mail, along with registration for the tournament. If the player's USCF membership is current, bring a current USCF card or proof of membership to the tournament.
Scholastic (12 and under): $17 or $24
Youth (15 and under): $22 or $28
Young Adult (24 and under): $26 or $33
Lists of Players
Individuals (currently registered Attendees)—updated automatically
Individuals (alphabetically)—updated manually on 2/21
Individuals (by section)—updated manually on 2/21
Teams (by section)—updated manually on 2/21
Registration by Mail
Include: player's name, USCF ID #, USCF expiration date, section, grade, school, phone #, email address, & check (made payable to Maryland Chess Association).
Mail to: Maryland Chess Association, 1827 Thornton Ridge Road, Towson MD 21204-1841.
MCA's Refund Policy & Fees for Registration Changes
What Do Players Need to Bring?
1) Sets, boards, scoresheets, & pencils will be provided.
2) Players are NOT required to bring a clock; however, we encourage players to bring a clock, if they own one. A game may be started without a clock, if one is not available. But if a clock is available, then players are required to use it. Furthermore, if a Tournament Director places a clock on a game, then the players must use the clock. Clocks should be available for purchase at the tournament.
3) Players should bring a sharpened pencil with a good eraser to record (notate) their games on scoresheets (which will be provided). Except for K-3 players (whose writing skills might not yet be sufficiently developed) and for players in other grades who are unable to write, players are required to record their games. Recording is beneficial in several ways: A) it helps to resolve disputes, B) it discourages cheating, and C) it enables players to improve via post-game analysis.
4) Food will be available for purchase at the tournament.
Tournament Announcements before Round 1 & Section Schedules
Procedures, Rules, and Etiquette for Players and Spectators at an MCA Scholastic Tournament
Increment Time Control for the Varsity Section
The following might be changed for any section, according to the number of players in the section: whether there are natural pairings (the norm at a Swiss-system tournament) or accelerated pairings in Rounds 1-2, and the number of trophies.
How MCA Determines the Winner of a Section when There’s a Tie for First Place
This tournament is made possible by the generous support of the McDuffie family.
This tournament is made possible by the generous support of the Baltimore Kids Chess League.
How to Find a Player’s New USCF Rating after an MCA Scholastic Tournament
For further information, contact the Maryland Chess Association at tournaments@mdchess.com—or, as a last resort, at 240-426-5477 (M).