A day of fun with chess — both playing the game and more.
Sponsored by the New Jersey State Chess Federation and by Dwight-Englewood School. Featuring Grandmaster Mac Molner, the former New Jersey state champion, and Dwight-Englewood chess coach.
Location
315 E. Palisade AveHajjar Stem Center
Englewood, NJ 07631
United States
What
A USCF-rated tournament (mostly!). Coaches going over player games. A lecture by GM Mac Molner. And a special blitz event featuring Mac and the coaches.
Who
Kids in grades K-8… also their siblings and parents.
When
April 27, 2025 from 10:00 am to dinnertime.
Where
Dwight-Englewood School, located at 315 E. Palisade Ave, Englewood, NJ 07631. The tournament will be held in the Hajjar Stem Center.
Schedule
- 9:30 am – Players arrive
- 10:00 am – Round one begins
- 12:00 pm – Round two begins
- 1:30 pm – Presentation by GM Mac Molner
- 2:00 pm – Round three begins
- 3:30 pm – Round four begins
- 3:45 pm – Casual blitz play with Mac and the coaches
- 5:00-ish – Awards ceremony
Sections
This tournament features seven sections: six rated and one unrated.
- Grades K-2, under 250 rating
- Grades K-2, open
- Grades 3-5, under 500 rating
- Grades 3-5, open
- Grades 6-8, under 750 rating
- Grades 6-8, open
- Unrated – Parents, siblings, and friends. Play for fun without worrying about rating.
Tournament Structure
All sections are 4 rounds, Swiss-style (“Win, lose, or draw, all players will play four tournament games.”)
Time Controls
All games are G25, d5 (“25 minutes per player per game, plus an extra five seconds per turn.”)
Requirements
A USCF membership is required to play in the tournament. Contact the tournament director if you need assistance creating or renewing a membership.
Equipment
Boards and pieces are provided. Players should bring a clock. There may be a few loaner clocks available, but there won’t be enough for everyone. Notation sheets and pencils will be provided.
Registration
The registration fee is $40 if you sign up before 11:59 pm on April 13; $50 after. Online registration closes at 8pm on April 26.
Byes
If you can’t attend the entire tournament, a half-point bye (limit one) is available for any round. Byes must be requested before the tournament begins.
Prizes
- Top 5 players in each rated section receive a trophy.
- Top 3 teams for each grade level (K-2, 3-5, 6-8) receive a trophy.
- Top 3 individual players in the Friends & Family section receive a trophy.
Teams
Teams are groups of players from any school with two or more players (up to 4) for each grade level (K-2, 3-5, or 6-8). For purposes of forming a team, the Open and Under ### sections are considered combined (ex: a team may have 2 players in the K-2 Open, and 2 players in the K-2 Under 250 section).
Food
There are multiple restaurants within a short drive. There may also be food available on the premises, although that has not yet been determined.
For More Information
Email: tournaments@njscf.org