2026 Northwest Fall Classic + FIDE Section

Saturday, October 17th

Centennial High School

1441 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43220

REGISTER HERE

Organizer: Centennial High School with collaboration with The Columbus Chess Academy

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

Sections:                         

K-3 Nonrated: Includes all nonrated players in grades K-3   

4-5 Nonrated: Includes all nonrated players in grades 4-5

6-12 Nonrated: Includes all nonrated players in grades 6-12                                                

Reserve (K-12, U500): Grades K-12 with ratings below 500

Premier (K-12, U900): Grades K-12 with ratings below 900

Open (K-12): Designed for players rated 800-1400, though open to any player

FIDE (K-12): Players must be rated OVER 1400 US Chess and BELOW 1800 FIDE

Players with more than 10 rated games are not eligible for the nonrated section. Players in the rated sections must be registered with http://www.uschess.org before the tournament. October ratings will be used. Organizer has a right to adjust sections based on the number of entries for the rated sections. Notation is not required for players except in the Open and FIDE sections. US Chess approved electronic scoresheets allowed except in the FIDE section.

Format: 5 Round Swiss: G/30; d5 for all rounds for Nonrated sections, Reserve, and Premier. 4 Round Swiss: G/45; d5 for all rounds for Open. 3 Round Swiss: G/60; d5 for all rounds for FIDE.

Schedule:

8:30 – 8:45: Self-check-in. No section changes after 8:45 AM

8:55: Announcements

9:00: Round 1

Subsequent rounds will start once everyone in the section finishes.

NOTE: Subsequent rounds will start once everyone in the section finishes. Players are scheduled to play all rounds (no elimination). Awards will be conducted as sections finish. Sets will be provided for all sections. Rated players should bring their own clocks if they have one. Unrated players may choose any appropriate section. Clocks will be used in all sections with games reaching the time limit. 

Registration: Register HERE. $35 for all online registrations until October 11th; thereafter $40 registration fee until 8:00 PM October 16th. No on-site registrations allowed. One half-point bye may be requested before the start of round 2. Refunds for withdrawals with $5 administrative fee will be given if requested by 8:00 PM, October 16th.  No refunds thereafter. Sponsorships available to families in financial need; contact Kathy for more information. See below

for mail-in registration.

Awards: Trophies to the top 3 players in each section and to players who score at least 3.5 points in all sections. Trophies awarded to top 3 teams in each section except the FIDE section. A team consists of students who attend the same school. Top four players’ scores count towards team score. All students will receive a commemorative tournament ribbon. Awards will be conducted as sections finish.

Concessions: Concessions will be available on-site for purchase (cash only).