CalChess Age Level Championship
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About This Tournament
🏆 CalChess Age Level Championship — Tournament Overview
Join us for the CalChess Age Level Championship! Whether you’re a beginner or a rising star, this event celebrates age-based competition and the tradition of awarding the Kirshner, Langland, and Azhar Cups. We’d love to see you at the board!
📅 Important Dates & Ratings
Age determination: Players are placed by age as of 12/31/2025 (years only; months ignored).
Rating used: January Supplement Rating (published as of Dec. 18).
Eligibility note: Players ages 4–17 with ratings below the cutoffs play in their age-level section; players at or above the cutoffs play in the Championship (cup) sections. Players may not play in a lower or higher age group.
♟️ Sections & Rating Requirements
Players must register using their age as of 12/31/2025 and their January Supplement Rating.
Section | Age (as of 12/31/2025) | Rating Requirement |
|---|---|---|
Ages 6 & under (u400) | 6 and under | Under 400 |
Age 7 (u400) | 7 | Under 400 |
Age 8 (u800) | 8 | Under 800 |
Age 9 (u800) | 9 | Under 800 |
Age 10 (u800) | 10 | Under 800 |
Age 11 (u1000) | 11 | Under 1000 |
Age 12 (u1000) | 12 | Under 1000 |
Ages 13+ (u1000) | 13–17 | Under 1000 |
Kirshner Cup (Championship) | Ages 4–7 | 400+ |
Langland Cup (Championship) | Ages 8–10 | 800+ |
Azhar Cup (Championship) | Ages 11–17 | 1000+ |
🎯 Championship Cups (Prizes)
Cup | Age Range | Award |
|---|---|---|
Kirshner Cup | Ages 4–7 | Winner receives the Kirshner Cup |
Langland Cup | Ages 8–10 | Winner receives the Langland Cup |
Azhar Cup | Ages 11–17 | Winner receives the Azhar Cup |
🔼 Play Up Rules
A player may pay to play up one higher section. Double play-up is NOT allowed.
Players must be within 300 rating points of the higher section’s cutoff to play up.
Rating used: January USChess Published Supplement Rating.
A player may NOT play up their age.
⏱️ Schedule & Time Controls
Section(s) | Time Control | Round Times |
|---|---|---|
Langland Cup & Azhar Cup | G/60 d5 (4 rounds) | 8:30 AM, 11:15 AM, 2:05 PM, 4:50 PM |
All other sections | G/25 d5 (5 rounds) | 11:45 AM, 1:15 PM, 2:45 PM, 4:15 PM, 5:45 PM |
🟦 Byes
½-point bye: Available for one round (except the last round). Request at least 30 minutes before the round’s start.
0-point byes: Available for any round.
If you request multiple byes, we will grant a ½-point for the latest possible round (not the last round); other requested rounds will be 0-point byes.
🏅 Awards
Personal trophies to all players with a winning record (one trophy per player; trophy size varies by standing).
Medals for all other players.
Team trophies for clubs and schools with two or more players in a section.
Players who withdraw during the tournament are not eligible for awards.
💰 Fees
Item | Amount |
|---|---|
Entry fee | $79 |
Play-up fee | +$29 |
BayAreaChess Membership discount | See More info |
⏳ Late & Onsite Fees
Date / Status | Additional Fee |
|---|---|
Jan. 18 | +$11 |
Jan. 20 | +$22 |
Jan. 22 | +$33 |
Onsite | +$44 |
BayAreaChess Membership discounts are NOT redeemable for late or onsite fees.
🔁 Withdrawals & Refunds
Refunds are subject to processing and withdrawal fees:
Withdrawal Date | Refund Policy |
|---|---|
Until Jan. 17 | Refund minus 4% processing fee |
Jan. 18 – Jan. 19 | Refund minus $11 withdrawal fee + 4% processing fee |
Jan. 20 – Jan. 21 | Refund minus $22 withdrawal fee + 4% processing fee |
Jan. 22 onward | NO REFUND |
Only withdrawals made on or before Jan. 21 are eligible for refund.
✍️ Change Requests
After registration, request changes at: bayareachess.com/changeform
Change fees:
Until Jan. 22: $7 change fee
On Jan. 23: $15 change fee
The following are exempt from the change fee:
Playing up to a higher section
Requesting byes
Updating club and/or school
ℹ️ Other Requirements & Info
USCF membership must be active.
Full tournament details and additional information: CalChess Event Page.
For membership discounts and details: BayAreaChess Discounts.
We’re excited to host this celebration of youth chess—good luck, and we hope to see you at the boards! ♟️🏅📍
CalChess Age Level Championship
Jan 24, 2026
$79.00-$108.00 USD