2026 Connecticut State Grade Championships at GCDS

Rated Section(s):

Non-Rated Section(s):

No at the door entries. Advance registration only. Please note for lunches and snacks, GCDS is a Nut-Free school.

This event is organized and sponsored by National Scholastic Chess Foundation and sanctioned by the CONNECTICUT STATE CHESS ASSOCIATION. 

This is an official CSCA State Championship event to determine and crown the Connecticut State Champion in each grade, K through 12. You do not need to be a CT resident to play in the tournament and win prizes. Only the CT state prizes require that you live or attend school in Connecticut. See Prizes below.

ALL PARTICIPANTS: Please note the starting time for your section. Please arrive early and check the Advanced Entry List to confirm registration.

Byes: 1/2 point by for round 1 only if requested in advance. 0 point byes can be requested up to 30 minutes before the start for later rounds. 

Clocks: Clocks are not required in K-1. In other sections, if one player wishes to use a clock, the opponent is required to do so. 

PRIZES: Trophies to all players scoring 3 points or more in each section. K-1: Participation ribbons to all non-trophy winners in PK, K, 1. You do not have to be from Connecticut to win one of these prizes. Team Prizes: There will be one Top Team trophy for Elementary (K5) and for Middle-High (6-12) sections combined. This will be awarded based on the top 3 scores from a school, regardless of grade.

Connecticut Championship: In addition to the prizes above, regardless of whether the section is an individual grade or a combined section, the top finisher in each grade will receive a plaque as Connecticut State Champion. In order to qualify, the player must reside in or attend school in the State of Connecticut.

Refunds/Cancellation Policy: If your child cannot play in this event, you may withdraw by email no later than the end of registration (5:00 pm the Friday before the event). Please email us at tournaments@nscfchess.org. Refunds are subject to a $10 fee which covers administrative and credit card processing charges. There will be no refunds or credits given for withdrawals after the close of registration. Too many people have been signing up, holding a spot and then withdrawing for credit when it is too late to give the spot to another child. We appreciate your understanding. Refunds must be requested by email; no telephone withdrawals or refund requests. To request a refund, email qb@nscfchess.org. Refunds will be will be processed within 7 days after the tournament.

Refunds/Cancellation Policy: If you cannot play in an event you have registered for, you may withdraw by emailing tournaments@nscfchess.org prior to the tournament. Emails must be received by 5:00 PM on the Thursday prior to the event to qualify for refund or credit.  All refunds or credits must be requested by email; no telephone withdrawals for such requests. There will be no refunds given for No-Shows. Refunds are subject to a $10 fee which covers administrative and credit card processing charges or you may apply the entire entry fee to a future event within the same school year. To request a refund for unused credit, email tournaments@nscfchess.org. Refunds will be processed within 7 days after the tournament.  

Supervision & Photo Release Policy: All participants under 16 must have an adult supervisor during the tournament. The NSCF does not provide supervision between games. Also note: Photography and/or video recording occurs at most NSCF tournament events. By registering your child for this event, you hereby give permission for your child's name and/or picture to appear on the NSCF website/promotion. If for any reason this is not acceptable, please advise tournament staff PRIOR to the start of the tournament.

Email: The NSCF will use the email address you provide when registering to contact you personally in support of this event. We will also add you to our bulk e-mail to share NSCF chess news and announce future events and classes. You may Opt-Out of these mailings by selecting Unsubscribe at any time. The NSCF does not sell or share any contact information. Please see our online Privacy Policy.