{"id":92566,"date":"2026-10-28T19:28:38","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T23:28:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nche.com\/?page_id=92566"},"modified":"2026-11-01T18:53:20","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T23:53:20","slug":"chess-tournament","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nche.com\/es\/thrive\/chess-tournament\/","title":{"rendered":"Thrive! Chess Tournament 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/nche.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2027-Thrive.jpg&#8221<\/a>; title_text=”2027-Thrive!” admin_label=”2027 Thrive! Banner” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”53716″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_sidebar area=”et_pb_widget_area_1″ admin_label=”Thrive! Sidebar Menu” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ header_text_color=”#000000″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_module=”614″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.9″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

2027 Annual Thrive! Chess Tournament<\/h3>\n

Where:<\/strong> NCHE Thrive! Conference, Benton Convention Center, Gallery Ballroom, Winston-Salem, NC
<\/span>When:<\/strong> Thursday, May 27, 2027. Check in and pairing at 1:30-1:55 p.m. Play from 2:00\u20135:30 p.m.
<\/span>Who:<\/strong> All players aged 5-18. To be eligible, your child must know how to play chess. There is a cap of 64 players; 32 in each age group.
<\/span>Sections:<\/strong> Junior (ages 5-12) and Senior (ages 12-18). 12 year-olds may be assigned to either group to even playing numbers and skill levels.
<\/span>Format: <\/strong>Rapid Pairing (Swiss System) Tournament. Games are limited to 20 minutes unless the tournament director (TD) announces otherwise. All players must complete at least 4 games to be eligible for an award. The TD can call or cancel a game that is moving too slowly.
<\/span>Entry Fee:<\/strong> $20\/player.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please find the registration form at the bottom of this page.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

FAQs<\/b> \u2014 please read!<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 How will I know that NCHE has received my registration and payment?
<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After registering online, you will receive a receipt as confirmation that NCHE has received your registration. If you don’t get this, check your spam folder.<\/p>\n

2. Is this a knock-out tournament? Do I leave if I lose a game?
<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No! This is not an elimination tournament. All players can and should play 4 or more games within the 3.5 hour time frame.<\/p>\n

3. Will my young child have to play high school students?
<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Depending on numbers of students of different ages, there will be at least 2 separate age-level groups: junior (5-12) and senior (12-18). An elementary student would be in a different section than a high school student.<\/p>\n

4. My child just started playing chess. Can he or she still compete?
<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Players should know how the pieces move, including the details associated with castling, checking the king, promoting a pawn, and capturing \u201cen passant.\u201d Players should be able to recognize an illegal move, as well as checkmate and stalemate.
The tournament director reserves the right to disqualify from further participation any student who clearly does not know the basic rules of the game. For example, we will disqualify someone who clearly doesn\u2019t know how a knight moves or what is meant by \u201ccheckmate.\u201d No refunds of any kind will be given to any player so disqualified. So, please be certain that your child can play an entire game correctly according to the rules of chess before signing up for this tournament.<\/p>\n

5. How are the scores determined?
<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A player gets one point for every game won, half a point for every game drawn, and zero points for every game lost. \u00a0A player\u2019s point total for the tournament is found by adding that player\u2019s points. Thus, a player who wins one game, draws two games, and loses one game will end up with two points for the tournament (1 + .5 + .5 + 0 = 2).
If you run out of time, the winner is determined by who has captured the most point-value of pieces.
Any player who cannot commit to staying for the entire time will most likely not be able to win an award. Any player not completing at least 4 games will not be eligible for an award.
Players who complete a game in less than the allotted time are welcome to play “for fun” games while waiting for time to run out. These “for fun” games do not contribute to their tournament score.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0 What about awards?
<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Individual awards will be given out for 1st \u2013 3rd places in each section.<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0 When will all the awards be announced and handed out?
<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The awards ceremony will begin as soon as possible after the last game is completed which should be around 5:15 p.m. It usually takes about 15 minutes to get the lists together and get set up for the ceremony and another 10 minutes or so to distribute the awards, take pictures, etc. Everyone should be on their way by about 5:45 p.m.<\/p>\n

8.\u00a0 How do you pair players?
<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In general, we will attempt to pair players with equal game scores when possible. For round one, the TD will pair students based on their section (junior or senior) and self-declared skill level.\u00a0 After the first game, students within a section will be paired with another of same or similar score who they have not previously played.\u00a0 Because of the need to match players with similar scores, there may be some wait time for players between games.\u00a0 To determine color in all rounds, one player will conceal a black or white pawn in each hand and the other player will choose.<\/p>\n

9.\u00a0 This is not a USCF rated tournament. What rules will be followed?
<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0One rule in particular that will be enforced is the \u201ctouch move\/touch capture\u201d rule. This means that if a player touches one of that player\u2019s own pieces in a manner that can reasonably be interpreted as the beginning of a move, then the player will be required to move that piece, if that piece has a legal move. If a player touches an opponent\u2019s piece in a like manner, then the player will be required to capture that piece, if there is a legal way to do so. Note that an accidental touching of a piece, such as brushing it with a shirtsleeve when reaching for another piece, does not constitute a violation of this rule.
Another important rule that will be enforced: Players must not make any remarks or show facial expressions concerning any other game and must focus specifically on only their own game.
Timing (using a clock to limit how long a player may consider before moving) will not be enforced, however overall game length is limited to 20 minutes.<\/p>\n

10.\u00a0 What if I need to leave the tournament early and unexpectedly?
<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In the event that you decide to leave the tournament early, please report in to the scoring table so that you are not paired in subsequent rounds. Breaks for use of restroom do not require that you inform the scoring table.<\/p>\n

11.\u00a0 Am I going to be required to keep score?
<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chess notation (keeping a written log of what piece moved to what square) will not be required.\u00a0 If you choose to take chess notation, you must be able to do so without slowing play.\u00a0 Score sheets, however will be provided.\u00a0 The scoring sheets provide a record of who-played-who and what pieces were captured by each player.\u00a0 These score sheets will then be instrumental in determining the next opponent and who ultimately wins the tournament.<\/p>\n

12. Will I have to use a clock for my game?
<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No clocks will be used or required in any of these games.<\/p>\n

13. What should I do if I have a problem, or I don\u2019t understand something?
<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0If you have a problem or a question about anything during the game, you should raise your hand to summon the tournament director. This cannot be stressed too strongly.
<\/b>Do not take your opponent\u2019s word for anything. Your opponent does not necessarily know the rules any more than you do. The tournament director is there to answer questions and to solve problems, so please don\u2019t hesitate to get him involved.
If you and your opponent believe you are at a stalemate and need to declare a draw, have the tournament director check your board before turning in your score sheets.\u00a0 <\/strong>Once a game is over and both players have agreed to a result, then that result is going to stand, and it is too late for the tournament director to do anything.<\/p>\n

14.\u00a0 Is there a cap on the number of participants?
<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There is a cap of 64 players; 32 per age group. Online registration will be cut off after that number has been reached. Check at the tournament site to see if space has become available due to no-shows.<\/p>\n

15.\u00a0 Must parents stay\/be present for the duration of the tournament?<\/strong>
Students 11 and younger must have a parent or responsible older sibling present at the tournament.<\/p>\n

Contact NCHE activities director Evelyn Bickley at evelyn.bickley@nche.com<\/a> if you still have questions.<\/p>\n

(Click <\/i>HERE <\/strong><\/a>to be kept up-to-date on chess opportunities for homeschoolers across North Carolina throughout the year. )\u00a0<\/i><\/h3>\n