Highlighting Our High School Academic Team Achievements | TFS Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

Chess

Competitions

National K-12 Grade Championship

This chess competition is an individual tournament open to players of all grade levels, from elementary through high school. The format consists of six games played in a Swiss system over three or four days, depending on the player’s registration choice. Each player has 90 minutes on their clock, with an additional 30 seconds added per move to ensure thoughtful play. The tournament is held annually, typically in the summer, providing players with a competitive yet structured environment to test and improve their skills. Preparation can include individual practice, coaching sessions, and participation in local or online chess clubs and events. Awards are given to the top three finishers, with the first-place winner receiving $1,400 and a trophy, second place $800, and third place $500. The purpose of the competition is to promote strategic thinking, concentration, and sportsmanship through competitive chess.

Harvey Lerman Florida State Championship

The National K-12 Championship is a chess competition open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. It is structured as an individual-based team event, where players compete in one of 13 grade-level sections—including kindergarten—with options to play in lower-rated subsections if desired. The tournament spans three days, featuring seven games: two on Friday, three on Saturday, and two on Sunday. Each player has 90 minutes with an additional 10 seconds added per move to encourage careful play. The event is held annually, typically in the summer, providing a highly competitive environment for young chess players across the country. Preparation opportunities include personal study, coaching, and participation in local and online chess clubs or tournaments. Awards are given to the top 10 to 20 finishers in each section, and team awards go to the schools with the highest combined individual scores, with the top 10 schools receiving trophies and plaques. The competition promotes strategic thinking, discipline, and teamwork through individual and group achievement.

Florida State Scholastic Championship

The US Amateur Team South is a chess competition open to players of all grade levels, focusing on team-based play. Each team consists of four players with a combined average rating below 2200 USCF, designed to keep the competition balanced and prevent “superteams.” The tournament features five rounds over two days in a single section. Teams face off directly against other teams each round, with players matched board-by-board—the top player on each team competes against the opposing team’s top player, the second player faces the second, and so on. Each game uses a time control of 90 minutes per player, plus a 15-second increment per move. The team that wins the majority of the four games earns the match point for that round. The event typically takes place annually in the summer and offers preparation opportunities through team practices, local tournaments, and coaching. The champion team earns qualification to the prestigious World Amateur Team Championship. The purpose of this competition is to foster teamwork, strategic collaboration, and competitive chess skills in a balanced and supportive environment.

US Amateur Team South

The Florida State Scholastic Championship is a chess competition open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. It features an individual-based team format where team rankings are determined by adding the top three individual scores from each school or club. The tournament consists of five rounds played over two days in a Swiss format, divided into four main sections by grade level—K-12, K-8, K-5, and K-3—as well as several rating-based subsections such as Under 1100 for K-12 players. The first three rounds use a time control of 60 minutes per player with a five-second increment per move, while the final two rounds extend to 90 minutes per player with the same increment. The event is held annually, typically in the spring, with preparation opportunities including coaching, local tournaments, and practice groups. Awards are given to the top 10 individual players and the top 5 teams in each section. Additionally, the winners of the K-12, K-8, and K-5 sections earn the opportunity to represent Florida at prestigious national championships: the Denker, Barber, and Rockefeller National Tournaments of Champions, respectively. This competition promotes strategic thinking, competitive spirit, and academic excellence through chess.

The National High School Championships is a chess competition designed specifically for high school students, featuring an individual-based team format where team scores are calculated by combining the top four individual player results. The tournament consists of seven rounds played in a Swiss system over three days, with each player having 90 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move. Players compete in one of six sections based on rating and experience levels, including open K-12, Under 1900, Under 1600, Under 1200, Under 800, and Unrated divisions. The event typically takes place annually in the late summer, offering preparation opportunities through coaching, local competitions, and training programs. Awards are presented to the top 10 to 20 individuals and the top 5 to 10 teams in each section, recognizing outstanding individual and team performances. The purpose of this championship is to provide high school players a challenging competitive platform to showcase their skills and foster their growth in chess.

National High School Championships

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What We Do

Competing in chess championships helps students improve critical thinking, strategic planning, and concentration. It also promotes camaraderie and school pride while offering opportunities for recognition, scholarships, and advancement within the national chess community.