Elementary K-8 Championship

Join us for the CPS K–8 Championship — the final stage where champions are crowned and legends are made!

This US Chess-rated tournament brings together the strongest players from the CPS Academic Chess Program for a full day of elite competition, achievement, and celebration.

FLYER

 LOCATION GUIDE

 ENTRY LIST

 PAIRING & STANDINGS

🎓 This tournament is exclusively for teams & individuals qualifying to advance from the North & South Playoffs ♟️

ADVANCEMENT TO ELEMENTARY CHAMPIONSHIP

• Teams: The top three (3) teams from each playoff section qualify
• Individuals: The top four (4) individual players from each playoff section whose teams did not qualify also advance

🏫  LIST OF ADVANCING SCHOOLS & INDIVIDUALS

If your school is not on this list, email David Heiser  at daheiser@cps.edu 

👑 K-8 CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

US Chess rated • Individual Swiss system with team awards
5 Rounds • Time Control: G/25, d5

SECTIONS

• Primary: Grades K–4
• Intermediate: Grades K–6
• Junior High: Grades K–8

AWARDS

• Individuals: 1st–3rd Place in Each Section
• Teams: 1st–2nd Place in Each Section
• Team awards based on top 4 scores per school

📋TOURNAMENT DETAILS

SCHEDULE

• Check-In: 8:30–9:00 AM
• Round 1: 10:00 AM
• Round 2: 11:30 AM
• Lunch: 12:00–12:45 PM
• Round 3: 1:00 PM
• Round 4: 2:15 PM
• Round 5: 3:30 PM
• Awards: 4:45 PM
• Departure: 5:00 PM

SAFETY PROTOCOLS

• No parents allowed inside during the tournament except for parents of advancing individuals
• Parents welcome at the awards—entry 30 minutes before ceremony
• Self-screening — do not attend if sick

COACHES & CHAPERONES

• 2 chaperones per school
• 3 chaperones allowed if bringing 12+ students
• Chaperones must be CPS employee, Level I/II volunteer, or approved vendor
• A chess coach counts as a chaperone

CHANGES TO STUDENT MEAL

CPS has discontinued Saturday student meals. Please remind students to eat before arriving or bring a small snack.

Lunch WILL be provided to:

• Students
• Coaches
• Chaperones

🚌 BUSING

• May be available for your school to and from the tournament
• Request deadline: Noon on March 04

BUS REQUEST FORM

🧾US CHESS MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED

• Coaches must submit US Chess membership info for students with no or expired memberships
• Online membership form must be completed by 4 PM on the Friday before the tournament
• Students without a current US Chess membership or submitting the required information will not be paired for Round 1

US CHESS MEMBERSHIP FORM

📝 ADVANCING TEAM REGISTRATION

By Academic Chess coaches only

• Advancing individuals do not need to register
• Open: March 2 – Noon on March 11
• No late or on-site registration
• Advancing teams are limited to 5 players plus 1 alternate
• Team members must have played in the advancing team’s section at the playoffs or did not play in the playoffs
• Use 999 for students without a current US Chess ID
• Verify advance entry list and report errors by March 11 at 1 PM to daheiser@cps.edu

REGISTER NOW

🔄 SUBSTITUTIONS 

• Onsite substitution allowed (advancing team members only)
• No substitution allowed for advancing individuals

❌ WITHDRAWALS

• Use the online withdrawal form through on March 11
• At check-in, mark absences on your school team’s check-in sheet

WITHDRAWAL FORM

For questions, email daheiser@cps.edu