School-Based Competitive Chess Club

Chess Club Commitment

Scholars on their school’s chess team must participate in two hours of practice every Wednesday after school, as well as a minimum of 12 weekend tournaments consisting of a mixture of Success Academy-hosted and local external tournaments.

Attendance at Success Academy–hosted tournaments is critical to the success of the program, as each club is competing for a spot in state and national chess tournaments. Chess teams will compete in a series of Success Academy–hosted tournaments, and will also have the opportunity to play in high-stakes tournaments. Top-ranking teams will earn the opportunity to compete in state and national tournaments. Scholars who compete in these events will be selected by their coaches in advance. Families will receive notification that their scholar has been selected. See Chess Club Eligibility Requirements for Participation in High-Stakes Events for state and national tournament selection criteria.

Finally, to ensure that our club participants gain the skill sets needed to compete, homework is provided to supplement after-school practices. Parents must be aware of all the required homework for our club scholars and ensure that scholars have completed it. Scholars are expected to complete “tactics” homework. Tactics are a series of moves in chess that “win material” from the opponent. Solving chess tactics puzzles is essential to scholar improvement in chess.

Chess Club Events

Club Eligibility Requirements for Selection for Local, Travel, and High-Stakes Events
Scholars who are selected to participate in these events are chosen not only on their ability to demonstrate adherence to Success Academy academic and behavioral performance expectations, but also on their exceptional talent within their school community and Network community.

Elementary School Chess Events

Event: Grade Nationals

Eligibility: Sixteen scholars will participate in Grade Nationals. School teams of three scholars will be selected to participate based on the scholars’ U.S. Chess Federation (USCF) published rating list as of November 1, 2023:

The top team across the Network for K-4.
Scholars must play a minimum of 6 tournaments by December 1, 2023, to be eligible for this event.
SA will sponsor no more than two teams per school.

Event: NYS Championships

Applications for the NYS Championship will use the March USCF–published rating list.
Scholars must play a minimum of 10 tournaments by February 1, 2024, to be eligible for this event.
SA will sponsor no more than two teams per school.

Event: Girls Nationals

Eligibility: Thirty-two scholars will participate in Girls Nationals. School teams of three scholars will be selected to participate based on the scholars’ USCF–published rating list as of March 1, 2024:

Top two “8 and Under” teams across the Network.
Top two “10 and Under” teams across the Network.
Scholars must play in a minimum of 12 tournaments by April 1, 2024, to be eligible for this event.
SA will sponsor no more than two teams per school.

Event: Spring Nationals

Eligibility: We will bring the top team for each section based on an application submitted by coaches. This is a shared application process across ES/MS/HS. School teams will consist of five scholars per application. Teams will have the opportunity to submit an application for specific sections at the event. The teams will be selected based on the highest average team rating, using the US Chess April Supplement rating.

Middle School Chess Events

Event: Grade Nationals

Eligibility: Sixteen scholars will attend Grade Nationals. School teams of three scholars will be selected to participate based on the scholar’s USCF–published rating list as of November 1, 2022.

The top team across the Network for grades 5–8.
Scholars must play a minimum of 6 tournaments by December 1, 2023, to be eligible for this event.
SA will sponsor no more than two teams per school.

Event: NYS Championships

Applications for the NYS Championship will use the US Chess March Supplement rating.
Scholars must play a minimum of 10 tournaments by February 1, 2024, to be eligible for this event.
SA will sponsor no more than two teams per school.

Event: Girls Nationals

Eligibility: Thirty-two scholars will participate in Girls Nationals. School teams of three scholars selected to participate based on the scholars’ USCF–published rating list as of February 1, 2024.

Top two “12 and Under” teams across the Network.
Top two “14 and Under” teams across the Network.
Top two “16 and Under” teams across the Network.
Top two “18 and Under” teams across the Network.
Scholars must play in a minimum of 12 tournaments by April 1, 2024, to be eligible for this event.
SA will sponsor no more than two teams per school.

Event: Spring Nationals

Eligibility: We will bring the top team for each section based on an application submitted by coaches. This is a shared application process across ES/MS/HS. School teams will consist of five scholars per application. Teams will have the opportunity to submit an application for specific sections at the event. The teams will be selected based on the highest team rating, using their US Chess April Supplement rating.

Scholars must play in a minimum of 12 tournaments by April 1, 2024, to be eligible for this event.
SA will sponsor no more than two teams per school

Event Uniforms

Competitions are serious events and we expect our scholars to be dressed appropriately to mark the occasion. Chess scholars should wear provided chess polo shirts with appropriate trousers (khakis or non-ripped jeans are acceptable) or skirts — even during remote events. Dresses are okay. Shorts are not allowed. Scholars may wear their Success Academy uniforms if they prefer.

For high-stakes tournaments, scholars must wear their Success Academy chess uniform on the last day of the event (Sunday).