The Pawn Project

Subscribe to get notified about new events!

The Pawn Project empowers youth through chess, fostering critical thinking, sportsmanship, and community engagement. We provide educational resources and organize tournaments to inspire the next generation of chess leaders.

The Pawn Project First Annual Scholastic Chess Tournament&nbsp; Join us for an exciting unrated Swiss Rapid chess tournament for grades K-12, featuring two US Chess Federation Tournament Directors, David Hubbard and David Holcomb! The event will also showcase the next generation of chess leaders, as youth coaches from The Pawn Project apprentice under the TDs to assist with running the tournament. The day concludes with an award ceremony celebrating all participants including trophies/medals for top three in each section.&nbsp; Tournament Format &amp; Scoring<ul data-end="927" data-start="622" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="698" data-section-id="ukoqx2" data-start="622" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Swiss System: Players are paired each round based on current scores.</li><li data-end="698" data-section-id="ukoqx2" data-start="622" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Rapid (30 min per side) No increment/No delay</li><li fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Rounds: All players will play in each round, grouped by score.</li><li fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Sections: Will be determined by age or rating (TBD-goal at least 16 players per section)</li><li data-end="767" data-section-id="18h17hz" data-start="699" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Scoring: Win = 1 point | Draw = 0.5 points | Loss = 0 points</li><li data-end="856" data-section-id="1p5s7v2" data-start="768" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Byes: If there&rsquo;s an odd number of players the unpaired player will receive a full point. &nbsp;A half point bye is available in any round, but you must notify the tournament director before then end of the first round. Only one half point per tournament.&nbsp;</li><li data-end="856" data-section-id="1p5s7v2" data-start="768" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Pre-registration is required (we can not guarantee walk-in).&nbsp;</li></ul>*Schedule:&nbsp;<ul data-end="1230" data-start="1002" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="1034" data-section-id="u0alsy" data-start="1002" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Check-In: 9:45&ndash;10:00 AM</li><li data-end="1034" data-section-id="u0alsy" data-start="1002" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Introductions: 10:00-10:15 AM</li><li data-end="1066" data-section-id="1dj8tnj" data-start="1035" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Round 1: 10:15&ndash;11:15 AM</li><li data-end="1066" data-section-id="1dj8tnj" data-start="1035" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Pairings: 11:15-11:30 PM</li><li data-end="1098" data-section-id="17qsien" data-start="1067" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Round 2: 11:30&ndash;12:30 PM</li></ul>Lunch Break: 12:30&ndash;1:30 PM<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="1163" data-section-id="op0m8e" data-start="1134" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Round 3: 1:30&ndash;2:30 PM</li><li data-end="1163" data-section-id="op0m8e" data-start="1134" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Pairings: 2:30-2:45 PM</li><li data-end="1193" data-section-id="gvnlt7" data-start="1164" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Round 4: 2:45&ndash;3:45 PM</li><li data-end="1230" data-section-id="279s8t" data-start="1194" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Award Ceremony: 3:45&ndash;4:30 PM</li></ul>*This is a proposed Itinerary currently set for 30 min Rapid (may shift Rapid time controls; confirmed 4 weeks prior). NOTE: Changes to time controls will affect the schedule and duration of the tournament.&nbsp; Prizes &amp; Recognition<ul data-end="1394" data-start="1259" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="1314" data-section-id="n8lgnu" data-start="1259" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Trophies/medals awarded to top three in each section</li><li data-end="1394" data-section-id="1uis8pc" data-start="1315" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Certificates for all participants &ndash; our goal is to recognize every attendee</li></ul>Materials Provided<ul data-end="1556" data-start="1421" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="1447" data-section-id="sex4wd" data-start="1421" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Chess boards and pieces</li><li data-end="1490" data-section-id="1ysoi41" data-start="1448" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Digital chess clocks (timed games keep us on schedule)</li><li data-end="1556" data-section-id="6z73cn" data-start="1491" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Notation sheets (please bring your own scorebook if possible)</li></ul>Notation is not required, but encouraged if you know how. &nbsp; Rules to Note:<ul data-end="1282" data-start="129" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="236" data-section-id="1lwjh5c" data-start="129" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Electronic Devices: No electronic use. Cell phones and smart watches must be off and face down.</li><li data-end="319" data-section-id="j10rle" data-start="237" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Arbiter Assistance: Raise your hand if you need help or have any concerns.</li><li data-end="366" data-section-id="jxng1q" data-start="320" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Touch-Move Rule: Applies to all games.</li><li data-end="431" data-section-id="y4grt2" data-start="367" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Notation: Not required, but helpful for arbiter support.</li><li data-end="543" data-section-id="fu0131" data-start="432" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Clocks:&nbsp;Will be used, as games have time controls. Support will be provided for first-time and novice clock users.</li><li data-end="667" data-section-id="1goldfb" data-start="544" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Late Players: Opponents who are late to their round lose time. Exceeding half of your allotted time results in forfeiture.</li><li data-end="763" data-section-id="16l4p1d" data-start="668" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Byes: Use a bye if you cannot attend a round. One half point bye per player. Byes must be declared before the first round ends.</li><li data-end="1023" data-section-id="12zbm6y" data-start="764" fr-original-style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold; box-sizing: inherit;">Player Conduct After Games:<ul data-end="1023" data-start="802" fr-original-style="font-weight: initial;" style="font-weight: initial; box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="925" data-section-id="1bqf96u" data-start="802" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">When a game ends, players must either leave the tournament room or move to the observer area and remain silent (including devices).&nbsp;</li><li data-end="925" data-section-id="1bqf96u" data-start="802" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">A skittles area will be provided for players leaving the tournament room between games. They are welcome to hang out and play games there. Some boards will be provided first come first serve. Welcome to bring your own.</li></ul></li><li data-end="1282" data-section-id="11053sv" data-start="1024" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Parent/Guardian:&nbsp;Event staff are not responsible for watching kids between rounds</li><li data-end="1282" data-section-id="11053sv" data-start="1024" fr-original-style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold; box-sizing: inherit;">Parent/Guardian Observers:<ul data-end="1282" data-start="1052" fr-original-style="font-weight: initial;" style="font-weight: initial; box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="1142" data-section-id="1h8gvyc" data-start="1052" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Check with arbiters to see if parent observers are allowed in the tournament room.</li><li data-end="1282" data-section-id="pca4xa" data-start="1145" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">When allowed, parent observers must remain silent at all times (including devices) and stay in the designated observing area away from players.</li></ul></li></ul>Help your child be successful in the event by reviewing these rules with them prior to arrival.&nbsp; Our tournaments are designed to be a friendly and supportive introduction for novice and first-time players too. We aim to have extra supports in place to help guide them and help them feel confident and comfortable. If it&#39;s your child&#39;s first tournament, we&rsquo;re honored to be part of their first tournament experience! &nbsp;We aim to make it both fun and memorable for all. Entry Fees<ul data-end="453" data-start="208" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="355" data-section-id="n1je3z" data-start="208" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Early Entry $5 per participant:</li><li data-end="355" data-section-id="n1je3z" data-start="208" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">General Entry: $10 per participant&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="355" data-section-id="n1je3z" data-start="208" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Discount code for The Pawn Project members sent in parent email and announced at April and May meetings</li></ul></li></ul> Entry Fees are nonrefundable.&nbsp;This is a nonprofit program; all fees directly fund materials (such as trophies for this event) and support The Pawn Project program. Attendees of this public/open event&nbsp;give their consent &ndash; including the consent of parents or legal guardians of any minor children &ndash; for their images and likenesses to be used by The Pawn Project and its affiliates in any publications, advertising or other media activities. Consent is given in perpetuity, and does not require prior approval, however all efforts will be made to avoid images if a request is made to do so.

The Pawn Project

Events

Events

The Pawn Project Scholastic Chess Tournament 2026

Get your tickets

Powered by