Tournament Details

2025 Delaware State Scholastic Chess Championship

Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
Location: Bellevue Community Center
500 Duncan Road, Wilmington, DE 19809

Event Overview:

The Delaware Chess Association is excited to host the 2025 Delaware State Scholastic Chess Championship. This prestigious event will bring together talented K-12 students from across Delaware for an exciting day of chess competition.

  • Organizer: Delaware Chess Association & Bellevue Community Center

  • Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025

  • Location: Bellevue Community Center, 500 Duncan Road, Wilmington, DE 19809

  • Restrictions: Open only to K-12 students in Delaware

Tournament Sections:
  • Rated Section

    • Open only to USCF registered players.

    • This section is for serious competition and will be USCF rated.

    * IMPORTANT: RATED SECTION MUST BRING CHESS SETS AND CLOCKS - NONE PROVIDED

  • Casual Section

    • Open to all K-12 students who want to participate.

    • Note: If you have a USCF ID, you are required to play in the Rated Section only. Chess sets will be provided for Casual Section. No Clocks required

Play Categories:
  • Rated Section:

    • Elementary School Championship (Grades K-5)

    • Middle School Championship (Grades 6-8)

    • High School Championship (Grades 9-12)

  • Casual Section:

    • Pre K-1

    • Grades 2-5

    • Grades 6-8

    • Grades 9-12

Contact Information:

For further inquiries or information, please contact the Delaware Chess Association at:

  • Email: connect@chesschamps.us

  • Phone: 302-256-4141

Tournament Details:
  • Time Control: Game in 30 minutes with a 5-second delay (G/30; d5).

  • Eligibility: Open to all Pre K-12 students who are current residents of Delaware.

  • Entry Fee: $5

  • Registration: Online registration only. Registration ends at 4:00 PM on May 2, 2025. NO ONSITE REGISTRATION.

Schedule:
  • Check-In: 09:30 AM

  • Announcements: 10:45 AM

  • Rounds:

    • Round 1: 11:00 AM

    • Round 2: 12:30 PM

    • Round 3: 2:00 PM

    • Round 4: 3:30 PM

    • Round 5: 5:00 PM

Prizes:
  • Individual Trophies to Winner & Medals to 2nd & 3rd Position: Awarded in each section listed in the 'Play Categories' above.

  • Team Trophies:

    • Top School: Awarded to the top schools in each section, based on the top four team member scores.

    • Best School District: Awarded to the best school district, based on the highest scores of the participating schools.

  • Participation Medals & Certificates: All Kindergarten and 1st-grade participants will receive medals & certificates.

Eligibility:
  • Delaware Residents Only:
    Participants must be residents of Delaware or attend a school in Delaware.

  • Grade Levels:
    The tournament is open to students in grades Pre-K through 12. Players must register in their grade-appropriate section:

    • Primary Section: (Pre K-1 Section)

    • Elementary students (Grades 2-5)

    • Middle School students (Grades 6-8)

    • High School students (Grades 9-12)

  • School-Based Teams:
    Teams must consist of a minimum of 4 students who attend the same school or are part of the same homeschool support group. No composite teams from multiple schools are allowed.

  • Age Requirements:
    Players must meet the age requirements for their school grade. Students may be asked to provide documentation, such as proof of enrollment or age.

Friendly Chess Tournament Rules:
  • Playing Area:
    Only players with ongoing games and tournament officials are allowed in the playing hall. Spectators are not allowed in the playing hall.

  • Behavior:
    Maintain a quiet environment and show good sportsmanship. No practice games are allowed in the tournament room.

  • Food and Drinks:
    Only plain water in sealed containers is allowed in the playing area.

Parking:

There is ample parking available on-site at Bellevue Community Center. Additional parking will be available in the overflow lot adjoining Mount Pleasant Elementary School. Street parking also allowed during specific hours.