Frequently Asked Questions

N.C. Scholastic Championships, Feb. 24-25, 2007, Durham

What’s changed since last year?

One change from last year is that the K-8 Under 1000 section has been changed from 5 rounds of G/90 games to 7 rounds of G/60 games. This change was made because of the larger numbers of players in that section and because of the typical amount of time reasonable for Under 1000 players. (The K-8 U1000 section is for those in 8th grade & under with a rating lower than 1000. G/60 means each player has up to 60 minutes per game.)

Another change is 14 more total trophies than last year - an increase from 122 to 136 total trophies, distributed among the sections based on the last two years’ total number of entrants for the respective sections:

· Individual trophy count is being increased from 100 to 107 total trophies.

· Team trophy count is being increased from 22 to 29 total trophies.

Also, the tournament is being held in Durham, NC this year. Welcome!

What rating will be used?

Although the USCF rates tournaments all the time, and ratings change every day, the official February supplement rating will be used. The USCF officially posts new ratings 6 times a year. The February supplement will be the most current posting. If the player does not have a February rating, an unofficial rating (one that was recently posted by the USCF) may be used.

My 3^rd grader is an advanced player, and would benefit by playing in a stronger section like K-5 or K-8. Is that allowed?

Yes. K-8 means just that – anyone from kindergarten through 8^th grade. Most players play in their “normal” section since the attraction of winning a State Championship is very appealing. But feel free to enter the section best suited for your player.

I’m in the 10^th grade and rated 1050. Can I play in the Open High School Section?

Yes. Anyone in the right grade can play in the K-8 Open section or the K-12 Open section. Note, however, that the strongest players will be in the Open Sections, so the competition will be tougher. Many players like a challenge, however, and usually learn more quickly playing stronger players.

I’m in the 9^th grade. But my rating of 1325 is a little inflated. Can I play in the Under 1300 High School Section?

No. Even though lower rated players are allowed to play “up,” players cannot play “down.” Your rating is over the threshold for the Under 1300 Section, so you must play in the Open Section in that case.

What are accelerated pairings?

In order to get a clear winner in any section that has more entrants than the number of rounds allows for a clear winner, the TD may elect to use accelerated pairings. This pairings technique matches up stronger players earlier in the tournament. There are advantages and disadvantages to the system. It’s normally used when the field is too big and the possibility exist that two or more players would win all of their games and still be tied. It’s used in many national scholastic tournaments, and sometimes in North Carolina scholastic events.

Do I have to use a clock?

We encourage all players to bring a clock and use it. If one player has a clock, it will be used. If neither player has a clock, we may begin the game without it. However, the TD may put a clock on your game during the round. If this step is taken, the TD will take the remaining time left in the round and divide it between the two players.

But what if my opponent was using all of the time? Dividing the remaining time does not seem fair.

That’s a good argument for bringing a clock. The TD should not have to guess on who used how much time. Dividing equally is the only reasonable solution.

Also: Players should not expect the TD to know how to set his/her clock. It may be practically impossible for someone to know every style of chess clock.

Will teammates be forced to play each other?

We try to avoid that circumstance. However, later in the tournament, players from the same school may be doing well enough (or poor enough) that they are the logical pairing for the next round. The normal case is where players from the same school have not lost, and need to be paired to maintain fairness to the rest of the field.

How do you enforce the “touch move” rule?”

1. If the TD sees the infraction, he/she can break any disagreement between players.

2. If the TD does not see it, he/she will ask the players involved.

3. If there is still disagreement between the players, the TD may ask players at nearby boards if they saw the infraction. If players with no stake in the game saw it, the TD will enforce the rule using this information.

4. Player notation may be used, too, if helpful.

5. If none of these methods is helpful, the TD will most likely allow the game to continue without any enforcement.

Is the State Champion in each section only the person who places first – even if it was on tiebreakers?

No. Anyone who is tied for first – even if they are placed third on tiebreakers – is declared State Champion. Tiebreakers must be used to award trophies, but they are not used to decide the State Champion.

Are club teams – or teams from cultural or religious schools allowed?

The key question is “Where does the student receive a majority of his/her educational instruction?” There are many religious and cultural organizations that enhance a student’s education with instruction, but they are not the primary school that the student attends, and should not be allowed to field a team. The rule of thumb is: “Does the student attend this school every day?” Club teams – unless the club is made up of members from the same school – are not allowed.

What are the rules for home-schooled teams?

Home-schooled students are allowed to organize a team if all of the members are from the same umbrella school district. In most cases that means the same county (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Wake County Schools etc.) Although some home-schooled students take classes outside of the home, they cannot be considered a full-time student at another school and still be considered a home-schooled student.

Can a home-schooled student play for a nearby public school?

Yes. However, there are restrictions. A home-school student may represent his or her local public school when access to extra-curricular activities is permitted. That means that home-schooled students should be permitted to participate NOT ONLY on the chess team – BUT also band, soccer or any other extra-curricular activity. As a chess coach, sponsor or parent, you should possess a letter from your school’s principal stating that very fact – and be able to produce it if there is any question.