2025 Ohio Grade Level Championships

2025 Ohio Grade Level

Championships

November 22nd 

An Ohio Scholastic Chess Association Championship Event

Organized by Columbus Chess Academy

Crowne Plaza Columbus North-Worthington

6500 Doubletree Ave, Columbus, OH 43229

 $99 per night. Call (614) 885-1885 and ask for "Chess Rate” by 10/31

Contact: Kathy Lin, 614-746-7682, info@columbuschessacademy.org 

Eligibility: Any student enrolled in an Ohio school, or home schooled in Ohio, in grades K-12 is eligible to participate. All students need an active US Chess Membership as all sections are rated. November rating supplement will be used.

Sections: Championship and Reserve

Championship Sections: Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th. These sections are the most competitive with the strongest students and for grades with the smallest sections.

Reserve Sections: 3rd & 4th: U600, 5th & 6th: U800, 7th & 8th: U1000, 9th & 10th U1000, 11th & 12th: U1000. These sections are for students who are newer to the game. Organizer has a right to adjust sections based on number of participants registered.

Format: 5 Round Swiss System individual/team for all grade levels. Students play all rounds, no elimination. Can request one 0.5-point bye before start of Round 2. Notation is required in Championship Sections in Grades 4 and above. For the Reserve Sections and Grades 3 and below, notation is optional.

Entry Fee: $45 by November 9th, $50 thereafter. Last day to register is November 21st, 8 PM. No on-site registrations accepted. Free US Chess Membership for each student new to US Chess or for expired student memberships. Discounts for students with financial need available, contact Kathy.

Registration: Online registration at https://www.kingregistration.com/event/2025GradeLevel. To register by mail, please contact Kathy or print out PDF from website to mail in.

Columbus Chess Academy will provide all sets. Students need to bring their own clocks and know how to set them. In all sections, clocks will be used if games approach the time limit 

Time-Control and Schedule:

Doors open at 8:30 AM. On-site check-in is from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM. Players are eligible to request byes or make changes between 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM. Announcements at 9:45 AM.

Championship and Reserve Sections Grades K – 5: G30; d5

Championship and Reserve Sections Grades 6 – 12: G45; d5

NOTE: Rounds 4 and 5 for all sections will start as soon as everyone in the section has finished their round.

Awards: Awards will begin once everyone in the section has finished. Trophies to all players achieving a score of 3.5 points or higher. Two or more players enrolled in the same school in the same grade will be eligible for a team prize, with a maximum of three scores counting toward the team’s score. Reserve and Championship teammates’ scores will be combined for each grade. For example, a 10th grader in the 9th & 10th Reserve section and a 10th grader from the same school in the Championship section will earn points together for a team award. A 9th grader and a 10th grader from the same school in the 9th & 10th Reserve will not earn points together, as they are not in the same grade. Trophies to top 3 teams for each grade. Participation medals available to all students.

Food and Lodging: Room rate for the Crowne Plaza Columbus North-Worthington is $99 per night. Call (614) 885-1885. Ask for the "Chess Rate." Restaurant located in the hotel for lunch; many restaurants within a five-mile radius.