Bakersfield Chess Tournaments

Dear Chess Coach,

 

   The Fall Chess Classic is coming up on October 25th at Sunset Elementary School. I sincerely hope that your team is able to attend to help us continue a fine Bakersfield tradition.

   This year I have introduced some changes to the structure and rules of the chess tournaments in order to bring us up to the same standards that are being used at USCF National Events. One change I have made is in regards to sections and team trophies.This year teams will be competing for team trophies in two sections per age group rather than one cumulative age group score. I believe that a cumulative score for a team across several sections imposes a penalty on teams that have players in the highest section. This does not serve the chess community well and will have the effect of discouraging strong players.  I have also increased the rating floor in several sections to bring our section levels closer to what tournament directors in other areas use. I believe this will give all chess players a better chance at competitive games and also cause an overall increase in the ratings of our scholastic chess players. A third change I have made is making it mandatory that all chess players in the seventh grade or above record their games. Hopefully, we can bring this requirement down to 4th grade in the near future. I have made this change because:

 

1) I do not believe we should be holding our children to a lower standard than what is required for children outside of Kern County.

 

2) This will greatly increase the probability that tournament directors are making correct judgements on the chess boards.

 

3) I hope to bring a USCF National Championship Event to Bakersfield in the near future.

 

In order to bring a National Championship tournament to Bakersfield we would need a large tournament staff,  start-up capital, experienced tournament directors, a strong relationship with theUSCF, and a large student population. I believe my organization has all of this. Players from all over California would have the much deserved “home field advantage” against the tournament field of about 2,500 participants. In order for this dream to become a reality we need to continue hosting tournaments of the same size and increase the prestige of our tournaments by adhering to the high standards set in other regions. Please help to make this happen by having your players attend as many of our tournaments as possible this year.

 

Sincerely,

Chris Torres

President of the Torres Chess and Music Academy:a 501(c)3 non profit organization

(661)699-8348

chesslessons@aol.com 

Torres Chess and Music Academy, Inc. Presents:

The Fall Chess Classic Chess Tournament

At Sunset Elementary School

Saturday, October 25, 2008

The Fall Chess Classic is sponsored by Vineland School District, Sunset Elementary School & TCAMA, Inc.

Where: Sunset Elementary School When: 9 AM – 5 PM What: Scholastic Chess Tournament 5SS – G/30

Team: 8 Sections as listed below

K – 1, K – 3 U 500, K – 3 CHAMP, K – 6 U 700, K – 6 CHAMP, K – 8 U 800, K – 8 CHAMP, K – 12

Individual: 8 Sections, Same as Team

An Adult Section will be run separately, see BakersfieldChess.com for info

Trophies:

Trophies are awarded to top 10 individuals in each section. The team awards for top 3 teams. A team consists of top 4 scorers and must include at least 2 members. Players in grade 7 or higher must record their chess moves or their team score will be penalized.

USCF Rated Swiss Format:

All players must be U.S. Chess Federation (USCF) members. Register for USCF at http://main.uschess.org or pay an additional $17 for 12 & under; $19 for 15 and under; $25 for 16 to 24.

5 round Swiss System – Everyone plays 5 games against players with approximately the same number of score after each round. All sections will be Game in 30. Sets and boards provided. Clocks may be used for Grades K-3 and must be used for Grades 4-12. A limited number of clocks will be provided. Please bring clocks.

Round Times: Opening Ceremony 9:45 AM. Rounds: 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:00 PM; 3:15 PM.

Awards immediately following (approx. 4:30 PM). Continental breakfast and lunch will be available at site.

Entry Fees:

$15 entry fee for entries received on or before 10/18/08 – $25 entry fee after 10/18/08 or at site.

Make check payable to: TCAMA or APPLY ONLINE at http://www.bakersfieldchess.com/onlineregistration

Preregistration Check In Until 9:30 AM Only. ½ Pt. Byes will be available for all but Final Round.

Late Registration will be from 8:30 AM to 9:15 AM only. Players who register after 10/18 /08 will be allowed to play all rounds as long as they are registered by 9:15 AM.

Directions: Sunset Elementary School, 8301 Sunset Blvd., Bakersfield, CA 93307-9289

From Freeway 99, take Freeway 58 East (approximately 7 miles) to Highway 184 South (Weedpatch Highway) towards Lamont. Take 184 South (approx. 8-1/2 miles) to Sunset Blvd. Proceed approx. 1/10 miles; Sunset Elementary School is on the Right. Tournament is in Multi-Purpose Room (Cafeteria)

Information: Contact Chris Torres at 661-699-8348. Financial aid is available upon request.

E-mail: Chesslessons@aol.com

Website: http://www.BakersfieldChess.com or http://www.ChessandMusic.com

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1 Entry Fee $15.00 (Must be postmarked by 10/18/08)

1  Annual fee for USCF membership: $17 for 12 & under; $19 for 13 to 15; $25 for 16 to 24

1 Late Registration Fee after 10/18/08 – $25

Total $ _________

Please include all fees (inc. USCF fees) in one check payable to TCAMA.

MAIL TO: TCAMA

1832 Walnut Grove Ct.

Oakley, CA 94561

OR APPLY ONLINE AT BAKERSFIELDCHESS.COM

Name: __________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________

City: _______________________ CALIFORNIA Zip: _________

Birth Date: ____/____/____ Phone: (___) ______________ E-Mail: ______________________________

School: __________________________________________________ Grade: ____

USCF ID #: ___________________________ USCF Rating: ________________ Exp Date: __/__/__

SECTION – Please check the section you wish to play in

	K – 1		K – 6 U 700		K – 8 CHAMP
	K – 3 U 500		K – 6 CHAMP		K – 12
	K – 3 CHAMP		K – 8 U 800

Please check only one if a ½ Pt. Bye is requested in Rd. 1 ___, Rd. 2 ___, Rd. 3 ___, or Rd. 4___ NA in Final Rd.

 

I request that my child, (named above) be permitted to participate in the 10/25/08 Chess event. I fully understand that it is my (or my representative’s) responsibility for supervising my child during this event. Should it be necessary for my child to have medical treatment while participating in this event, I hereby give the supervisory personnel permission to use their judgment in obtaining medical services for my child, and I give permission to the physician selected by such personnel to render medical treatment deemed necessary and appropriate. I, as parent or representative of this child, hereby release, discharge, indemnify, and hold harmless the TCAMA, Vineland School District, Sunset Elementary School, Chris Torres and their employees, volunteers or agents, and/or staff, from any claims arising out of, or relating to, any injury that may result to said individual while participating in this event. I, as a parent or representative of this child, hereby waive any rights to the taking and use of photographs, (including posting

on BakersfieldChess.com, ChessandMusic.com or any promotional material) or any other recorded material, including video and audio taken during this chess tournament. I, as a parent or representative of this child, hereby consent to the publication of this child’s individual tournament results/scores.

Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________ Date: __/__/__

Print Name: ________________________________________ Relationship ________________

ADULT TOURNAMENT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE ON BAKERSFIELDCHESS.COM