Maryland Chess Association

Forest Edge Elementary School National Chess Day Championship

Location: Forest Edge Elementary School

1501 Becontree Ln, Reston, VA 20190

Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 12 pm/noon

Register here: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/7298

 

Note about special rules for pairings:

This tournament will feature Monrad pairings, which is a variation on Swiss pairings that reduces mismatches. The use of Monrad pairings eliminates the need for multiple sections as players are often paired against closely related opponents, especially in early rounds. To read more about Monrad Swiss pairings, visit Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss-system_tournament#Monrad_system Because we are using Monrad pairings, which are better at reducing mismatches, there are no separate K-3, K-5, K-8, and K-12 sections. Instead, there is just one section for all scholastic players. To be eligible for grade-based prizes, please include the player's grade in the "grade" field when you register.

Advantages of Monrad Pairings:

• Fewer mismatches, more games against closely-rated opponents
• Eliminate need for multiple sections
• Anyone can win the tournament (lower-rated players are more likely to play each other, which means that anyone has a chance to win)
• Less playing down (higher-rated players are less likely to have to play down)

Tournament Information​

• Register here: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/7298
• This tournament will take place on "National Chess Day" (Saturday, October 11th)
• Four rounds: first round at 12 pm/noon, subsequent rounds occur as soon as possible (tournament should end at approximately 4 pm)
• One section: Monrad pairings reduce mismatches, eliminating the need for separate K-3, K-5, K-8, and K-12 sections (see note above)
• Time control: Game in 25 minutes with a 5-second delay (US Chess regular and quick rated)
• Forfeit time: 15 minutes
• Entry fee: $35 by 9/27, $40 by 10/4, $45 by 10/10, $50 on 10/11 (on-site registration closes 30 minutes before round 1)
• Boards and pieces will be provided for all players, but we don’t have enough clocks for everyone (those who have clocks are welcome to bring them, though bringing a clock is not required)
• This tournament is US Chess rated, so an active US Chess membership is required. Click here to join the US Chess Federation for the first time or to renew an inactive membership: https://new.uschess.org/user/login?destination=/form/membership
• Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Click here to show mail address with any questions

PRIZES

Trophies for 1st through 5th in each section, plus special prizes for the 1st place winner in each section!

NOTE: To be eligible for grade-based prizes, make sure to include your child's grade in the "Grade" field when registering.

Place	Category	Prize
1st	Place Prize	Trophy & Free Entry into a 2025 DMV Online Holiday Camp*
2nd		Trophy
3rd		Trophy
4th		Trophy
5th		Trophy
1st	Top Grade 6-8	Trophy & Free Entry into a 2025 DMV Online Holiday Camp*
2nd		Trophy
3rd		Trophy
4th		Trophy
5th		Trophy
1st	Top Grade 4-5	Trophy & Free Entry into a 2025 DMV Online Holiday Camp*
2nd		Trophy
3rd		Trophy
4th		Trophy
5th		Trophy
1st	Top Grade K-3	Trophy & Free Entry into a 2025 DMV Online Holiday Camp*
2nd		Trophy
3rd		Trophy
4th		Trophy
5th		Trophy

*Note: For trophies, ties will be broken using standard US Chess tiebreaks. In the event of a tie, the free camp prizes will be determined by tiebreaks. If multiple players get a perfect score, each of them will receive a free online camp entry.

Venue Information/Logistics

• PARKING: Forest Edge Elementary School has plenty of free parking.
• There is no scheduled lunch break, but there is almost always time for players to have food between games. There aren't any scheduled round times--rounds will occur as soon as possible.

 

How to Register

Register here: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/7298