ChessFest 2026!

ChessFest 2026

A day of fun with chess -- both playing the game and more.

What: A USCF-rated tournament (mostly!).  A lecture by GM Mac Molner.  And a special blitz event featuring Mac and the coaches. There will extra activities like balloon making, face-painting, and more.

Who: Kids in grades K-8… also their siblings and parents.

When:  April 19, 2026 from 10:00 am to dinnertime.

Where:  Dwight-Englewood School, located at 315 E. Palisade Ave, Englewood, NJ 07631. The tournament will be held in the Hajjar Stem Center.

Schedule: The schedule is as follows:

9:30 am - Players arrive.
10:00 - Round one begins
Noon - Round two begins
1:30 pm - Presentation by GM Mac Molner
2:00 pm - Round three begins
3:30 - Round four begins
3:45 - Casual blitz play with Mac and other coaches
5:00-ish - Awards ceremony

Sections: This tournament features seven sections: six rated and one unrated.

1. Grades K-2, under 250 rating
2. Grades K-2, open
3. Grades 3-5, under 500 rating
4. Grades 3-5, open
5. Grades 6-8, open
6. Unrated -- Parents, siblings, and friends.  Play for fun without worrying about rating.

Tournament structure: All sections are 4 rounds, Swiss-style (“Win, lose, or draw, all players will play four tournament games.”)

Time controls: All games are G25, d5  (“25 minutes per player per game, plus a extra five seconds per turn.”)

Requirements: A USCF membership is required to play in the tournament. Contact the tournament director if you need assistance creating or renewing a membership.

Equipment: Boards and pieces are provided.  Players should bring a clock.  There may be a few loaner clocks available, but there won’t be enough for everyone. Notation sheets and pencils will be provided.

Registration: The registration fee is $40 if you sign up before 11:59 pm on April 15; $50 after.  Online registration closes at 10pm on April 18.

Byes: Up to 2 half-point byes are allowed. Byes must be requested before the start of the second game.

Prizes: Top 5 players in each rated section receive a trophy.  Top 3 teams for each grade level (K-2, 3-5, 6-8) receive a trophy.  Top 3 individual players in the Friends & Family section receive a trophy.

Teams: Teams are groups of players from any school with two or more players (up to 4) for each grade level (K-2, 3-5, or 6-8).  For purposes of forming a team, the Open and Under ### sections are considered combined (ex; a team may have 2 players in the K-2 Open, and 2 players in the K-2 Under 250 section).

Food: There are multiple restaurants within a short drive.  There may also be food available on the premises, although that has not yet been determined.