Elementary K-8 North & South Playoffs

Join us for the CPS K–8 North and South Playoffs — where rising stars from across the city battle for a spot in the Championship!

This US Chess-rated tournament brings together top players from each region of the CPS Academic Chess Program for a full day of strategic play, school pride, and playoff excitement.

FLYER

 LOCATION GUIDE

 SOUTHSIDE ENTRY LIST

 NORTHSIDE ENTRY LIST

 PAIRING & STANDINGS

🎓 This tournament is exclusively for students from schools participating in the Academic Chess Program♟️

🏫 LIST OF SCHOOLS ASSIGNED TO NORTH AND SOUTH PLAYOFFS

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

👑 K-8 PLAYOFFS FORMAT

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

SECTIONS (NORTH & SOUTH)

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

AWARDS

• Individuals: 1st–5th Place in Each Section
• Teams: 1st–3rd Place in Each Section
• Team awards based on top 4 scores per school
• Medals to all players

ADVANCEMENT TO ELEMENTARY CHAMPIONSHIP

• Teams: top 3 teams in each section
• Individuals: top 4 individuals not associated with an advancing team in each section

📋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: 2:30 PM
• Round 5: 4:00 PM
• Awards: 5:30 PM
• Departure: 6:00 PM

SAFETY PROTOCOLS

• No parents allowed inside during the tournament
• 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

🧾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

📝 REGISTRATION

By Academic Chess coaches only

• Open: February 9 – Noon on February 18
• No late or on-site registration
• Limit 15 players per school
• Use 999 for students without a current US Chess ID
• Verify advance entry list and report errors by February 18 at 1 PM to daheiser@cps.edu

SOUTHSIDE REGISTER NOW
NORTHSIDE REGISTER NOW

🔁 K-8 SECTION CHANGES

• Advance request deadline: Noon on February 25
• Onsite changes take effect in Round 2 or later
• Scores do not carry over to new section

SECTION CHANGE FORM

🔄 SUBSTITUTIONS 

• Request deadline: Noon on February 25
• No on-site substitutions

SUBSTITUTION FORM

🚌 BUSING

• May be available for your school to and from the tournament
• Request deadline: Noon on February 18

BUS REQUEST FORM

❌ WITHDRAWALS

• Use the online withdrawal form up to Noon on February 25; afterwards mark absences on your school’s check-in sheet
• If your entire school team is withdrawing from the tournament, please notify David Heiser by email at daheiser@cps.edu

WITHDRAWAL FORM

For questions, email daheiser@cps.edu.