Silver Knights Chess organizes several types of chess tournaments for children in grades PK - 8: Swiss Tournaments, Quads, and Team Tournaments.

 

Most events are Swiss Tournaments.  Typically a Swiss has between 3 and 5 rounds, and like all chess tournaments, it is non-elimination. Players are split up into sections based on age, USCF rating, or both. They play only against other children in their own section. Click the "register here" button for a tournament to see what sections are available at each event. We recommend that players who are new to tournament play start out in the Beginner sections. Trophies are awarded to the top individuals and school teams in each section.

 

Quads are a smaller event, where players are split up into sections of 4 based on rating (if they have played in a tournament before) or age (if they are new).  Each player gets 1 game against the other 3 players in the quad.  At the end of the third game, a trophy is awarded to the top-finishing player in each quad.

 

Team events typically require 4 players per school and may be played out over the course of several weeks, much like a sports season.  Click the "register here" button by an event for more information.

 

All of our tournaments are USCF rated, which means that players must be members of the U.S. Chess Federation to play. Membership fees vary by age, but most elementary and middle school children are eligible for a $17 annual membership.

 

If you are a new chess parent or have questions about the tournament process, feel free to browse through our Tournament FAQs or contact us.

 

Our Swiss and Team scholastic tournaments feature free analysis of student games for all players by a highly rated chess coach.  The current rotation of chess coaches includes 3-time Wisconsin State Champion and National Master Jeremy Kane, 2012 Virginia State Co-Champion Justin Burgess, and 2-time defending Virginia Closed Blitz Champion and National Master Adam Weissbarth.