New York State Scholastics

We are sorry to announce that the New York State Scholastics, scheduled for March 14-15 in Saratoga Springs. has been canceled due to the threat of coronavirus.

It is possible that this event will be rescheduled for the fall or winter if the virus risk recedes, we don't know, and probably will not know for some time.

Refunds will be sent to all, which is a tremendous job and may take a few weeks.

Those previously refunded with a $15 service charge now have a $15 credit toward a future entry- if you want a $15 refund instead, please email director@chess.us in about two weeks and request this, as we want to handle the full refunds first.

6 round Swiss, G/60 d10, open to grades K-12; top NYS player & team in each section are NY champions. In 14 sections. 3 HS sections at Courtyard by Marriott, 11 Excelsior Ave., Saratoga Springs NY 12866. Other 11 sections 2/5 mile away at Saratoga Hilton and adjacent Saratoga City Center (connected by indoor walkway), 534 Broadway (I-87 Exit 13-N, 4 miles north on US 9), Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Team prizes based on top 4 scores from same school; no combined school teams allowed even if one school “feeds” another. Teams of 2 or 3 players allowed, but are at a disadvantage.

Online entry fee at chessaction.com, all sections: $74 by 2/20, $84 2/21-3/6, $100 3/7 to 3/13. Entry fee at site, all sections: $110.

High School Championship, open to grades K-12 born after 9/1/00. EF $79.30 mailed by 2/20. Top NYS grade 9-12 qualifies for Denker Tournament of HS Champions.

K-12 Under 1800/Unr: EF $79.20 mailed by 2/20.

K-12 Under 1200/Unr: EF $79.10 mailed by 2/20.

Junior High Championship, open to all in grades K-9. EF $79 mailed by 2/20. Top NYS grade 6-8 born after 9/1/04 qualifies for Barber tournament of Grade 6-8 Champions.

Elementary Championship, open to all in grades K-6. EF $78.70 mailed by 2/20. Top NYS grade K-5 born after 9/1/07 qualifies for Rockefeller tournament of Grade K-5 Champions.

Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed or paid at site, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17.

Trophies to top 10 players and top 7 teams each section, top 2 unrated in U1200, U900, U800, U600 & U400 sections, and top 2 each U1900, U1700 (HS Championship), U1600, U1400 (K-12 U1800), U1000, U800, U600 (K-12 U1200), U1800, U1600, U1400 (JHS Championship), U1400, U1200, U1000 (K-8 U1600), U700, U500, U300 (K-8 U900), U1700, U1500 (Elem Championship), U1200, U1000 (K-6 U1400), U800, U700 (K-6 U1000), U500, U400, U300 (K-6 U600), U1400, U1200, U1000 (Primary Championship), U600, U500, U400, U300 (K-3 U800), U800, U600, U400 (K-1 Championship), U300, U200 (K-1 U400). Speed playoff if perfect score tie.

Free entry to 2020 NY State Championship (Sept) and National Chess Congress (Nov) to top player each section.

Mixed doubles prizes: chess sets for 3 HS sections combined; no extra fee; enter at Marriott by 2 pm Sat.

Schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10 am, rounds begin Sat 11 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, Sun 9 am, 12 noon, 3 pm. Awards 5:30 pm. Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before round 2.

PLAYERS MAY NOT POSSESS CELLPHONES DURING PLAY. Please leave your phone home, or in your hotel room or car, or in a bag at your table.

Hotel rates: Hilton $143-143, 888-999-4711, 518-584-4000, or use link to be posted at chesstour.com. Courtyard $135-135, 866-210-9325, or use link to be posted at chesstour.com. Two nights minimum at both hotels. 7 days notice required for room cancellations at Hilton. At Courtyard, first night is nonrefundable, other nights require 48 hours notice. Both hotels are expected to sell out about 3 months before the tournament, but may again have availability in the final week before due to late cancellations. Backup hotel: Hilton Garden Inn, $129-129, 1.2 miles from Saratoga Hilton, 1.6 miles from Courtyard, group code CHESS. Free parking at all hotels.

Online entry: www.chessaction.com. Mail entry: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Include name, rating, USCF ID, USCF expiration (non-members include dues), section, school, grade, birth date, address of each player. Checks payable to Continental Chess. $15 per player service charge for refunds. $10 extra to switch sections, all substitutions from advance list charged $100.

Bring clock if possible- none supplied. Bring set & board for HS sections; set & board supplied for other sections.

March official ratings used (except unofficial web ratings usually used if otherwise unrated). TD reserves right to assign estimated rating to players with non-USCF ratings.