2010 Vermont State Scholastic Chess Championships

All Vermont students from Kindergarten through Grade 12 are eligible to compete for the State Championships in the following divisions: Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Middle School (Grades 7 & 8) and High School (Grades 9 through 12). Team Championship plaques will be awarded in the Middle School and High School divisions based on the top four scores from each school. All abilities are welcome and encouraged to participate; no prior tournament experience is necessary.

This tournament is named in honor of John Balch, a great promoter of scholastic chess in Vermont, who passed away in 2004. He was a teacher of hundreds of Vermont youth.

* * NEW THIS YEAR * *

The 23^rd Annual Vermont Scholastic Chess Championships will be a United States Chess Federation (USCF) rated event! All players will receive national rankings and ratings based on their performance. USCF membership is required, but will be available at the tournament at greatly reduced rates. Most participants of the 2009 tournament received a complimentary membership which is still valid. See details in the Registration section.

OVERVIEW

The tournament will follow standard USCF rules for scholastic tournaments. The Swiss pairing system will be used, and all players will play 4 or 5 rounds depending on the number of participants in each division (no eliminations). USCF Membership is required. Matches will be “Game 30” meaning each player will have 30 minutes, for a total of 1 hour maximum, per game. Clocks are recommended for upper grades and will be required for top boards. Also, clocks may be used in younger grades to ensure a game completes on time. Players in grades 7-12 are required to notate (write down their moves.) Notation is recommended but not required at lower grades. Please bring your own chess set(s) and chess clock(s) if you have them. Please label your belongings so they can be returned to you if lost or misplaced.

Complete Rules for determining champions, tie breaks, and order of finish will be posted at the tournament and is available on http://vtchess.info.

SCHEDULE

Registration begins at 8:30 am and closes at 9:30 am. Pre-registered players must check-in during this time. Games will start at 10:00 am or as soon as the first round pairings are complete. Each student will play at least four games, unless they receive a bye. The tournament director must be informed of any early withdrawal.

Prizes will be awarded as each division finishes. The tournament may be completed as early as 1:00 pm for the youngest division, and as late as 5:00 pm for high school division. Parents and spectators are allowed to accompany their children to the playing rooms, but only players and room monitors are allowed in the K – 8 rooms while games are in session. Viewing will be allowed at a discrete distance in the High School section. Seating will be available in the gymnasium for players, families, and friends. Special arrangements must be made with the director if your child will be without adult supervision for any portion of the tournament.

Reasonably priced, quality breakfast food, lunch and snacks including vegetarian options will be available. Chess equipment, books, and souvenirs will be available for sale by the Rochester Chess Center. Tournament souvenir T-shirts will be sold on a first come basis.

2010 Vermont Denker Selection

The Denker Tournament of State High School Champions is a national competition with a representative from each state. It corresponds with the U.S. Chess Open and is being held in Irvine, CA from July31^st through August 3^rd. The top finishing student in the High School division of the Vermont State Scholastic Tournament will be selected as the Vermont representative to the national Denker tournament. If the top student is unwilling or unable to attend the Denker tournament, an alternate will be selected based on performance in the state tournament and other scholastic tournaments, USCF rating, and possibly a playoff.

DIRECTIONS to the Vermont State Scholastic Chess Championship:
Berlin Elementary School is located in central Vermont outside the city of Montpelier. It is approximately 38 miles southeast of Burlington, and 50 miles north of White River Junction. Take Interstate 89 exit 7, turn left at the first light, and turn right into Berlin Elementary School.

Questions about the tournament may be directed to:

Mike Stridsberg, Tournament Director: mike@vtchess.info or (802) 223-1948

REGISTRATION

Entry Fees and registration options:

1. $10 for registration with payment by mail that is postmarked on or before April 5^th.
2. $15 for email registration received on or before noon on April 9 with payment at tournament.
3. $20 for registration the day of the tournament.

USCF membership options:

1. You may obtain a membership prior to the tournament online at http://uschess.org/.
Please note that most participants of the 2009 tournament received a complimentary one year introductory membership which is still valid.

2. Thanks to a generous donation from Continental Chess Association (www.chesstour.com) we are able to offer memberships at greatly reduced rates:

a. $7 for a one year membership (with no magazine)

b. $10 for a one year membership with 6 issues of “Chess Life for Kids” (ages 12 & under)

c. $15 for a one year membership with 12 issues of “Chess Life”

Important Note:

If registration and/or membership fees are a financial hardship, please contact the tournament director regarding scholarships. No one should fail to participate for lack of funds.

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Vermont Scholastic Chess

Mail to: Michael Stridsberg, 633 Junction Rd., Berlin, VT 05602
Email to: mike@vtchess.info.

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2010 VT STATE SCHOLASTIC CHESS TOURNAMENT
Please provide the following information for each player:

1. Player’s Name: _______________________________________

2. Grade: _____________________________________________

3. School Name: ________________________________________

4. Date of Birth: ________________________________________

5. Home Address: ___________________________________________________

6. USCF Membership Number (if available): ____________________

7. Email Address: ________________________________________
(optional, will only be used to inform of future scholastic chess tournaments)

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Questions about the tournament may be directed to:

Mike Stridsberg, Tournament Director: mike@vtchess.info or (802) 223-1948

2009 Vermont Denker Selection

The Denker Tournament of State High School Champions is a national competition with a representative from each state. It corresponds with the U.S. Chess Open and is being held in Indianapolis, IN from August 1^st through 4^th. The top finishing student in the High School division of the Vermont State Scholastic Tournament will be selected as the Vermont representative to the national Denker tournament. If the top student is unwilling or unable to attend the Denker tournament, an alternate will be selected based on performance in the state tournament and other scholastic tournaments, U.S.C.F. rating, and possibly a playoff.

2009 Vermont Polgar Selection

The Susan Polgar National Invitational Tournament for Girls is a national competition for girls under the age of 19. It is being held in Lubbock, Texas from July 26^th through 31^st. A representative and an alternate will be selected based on performance in the state tournament and other scholastic tournaments, U.S.C.F. rating, and possibly a playoff.

DIRECTIONS to the Vermont State Scholastic Chess Championship:
Berlin Elementary School is located in central Vermont outside the Capital city of Montpelier. It is approximately 38 miles southeast of Burlington, and 50 miles north of White River Junction. Take Interstate 89 exit 7, turn left at the first light, and turn right into Berlin Elementary School.

NOTICES

The following notices or their likenesses may be used for advertisements, newsletters, or other promotional material.

PRESS RELEASE
The 23rd Annual Vermont Scholastic Chess Championships will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Berlin Elementary School in Berlin, VT, conveniently located in central Vermont just off Interstate-89 exit 7.

All Vermont students from Kindergarten through Grade 12 are eligible to compete for State Championships in each grade Kindergarten through Grade 6, Middle School (Grades 7 & 8) and High School (Grades 9 through 12). All abilities are welcome and encouraged to participate.

The tournament will be USCF rated and follow USCF rules. Registration is from 8:30 AM until 9:30 AM. Games will start at 10:00 AM. Complete rules and registration information can be found at http://vtchess.info or by contacting Mike Stridsberg, Tournament Director, at mike@vtchess.info or (802) 223-1948.