Commissioner Mark Samuelian Memorial Scholastic Chess Tournament (Free)

Rated Section(s):

Non-Rated Section(s):

Please note: Registration closes at 7 pm on Friday, November 13

or sooner if the spots are filled. 

LIMITED ENTRY. No at the door registration.

Open to Aspiring Chess Players in grades K to 12  - Two Unrated Sections – One Unrated Section U1500. Limited to the first 120 entries, this fun chess tournament is hosted at the Scott Rakow Youth Center and produced by the staff at The National Scholastic Chess Foundation. Our event is open to all students in grades K to 12 attending school (public, charter, private, religious, or registered in homeschool) in South Florida. This event is not affiliated with MDPS. The tournament is free thanks to the support of The City of Miami Beach. This event is held in memory of Commissioner Mark G. Samuelian, a National Master chess player who was instrumental in bringing free chess programs to Miami Beach.

Advance Registration Only. Check-in begins at 9:30 am. First round begins at 10:00 am.

Format: Game/25, delay 5 if clocks are used. Notation is required in all sections. Clocks are not used in the Unrated sections, except that TDs may place a clock on games that are running up against the time control. This tournament follows USCF rules but is not rated by the Federation. 

Unrated Sections: Players regardless of grade with a USCF Rating of 500+ must play in the Middle-High School section if they want to play Unrated.

New Rated Section: The PREMIER section is rated. This is still an introductory tournament so the maximum rating is 1500 and there is only 1 section. You must be a USCF member to play in this section. Score sheets are provided but bring your own clocks.

Sections: Regardless of grade, Players who have a USCF Rating of 500+ must play in the Middle-High School section; the decision of the tournament director on sections is final.

Prizes: We will award trophies to the top performers (up to 7 places per section - 21 total, based upon registration; players must have a minimum score 3 or higher out of 4 rounds). We have one additional prize for Top Girl in each unrated section. 

Other details: By registering for this event, participant agrees to abide by the rules and the direction of the tournament director. For more information on how tournaments work, visit this page. Participants acknowledge that photography and/or videotaping may be occurring during this event and, by registering, grant the right for their, and/or their child's image, to be used in promotional materials, both print and online, for The National Scholastic Chess Foundation (NSCF), The City of Miami Beach and/or their affiliates and promotional partners. If there is a reason why your child cannot be videotaped, please advise the staff at check-in and we will do our best to accommodate you. Children must have a responsible adult with them (parent or a coach you trust) during the entire event. We will have some activities for our guests while the tournament is in progress.

Produced by The National Scholastic Chess Foundation, with the invaluable support of the Parks & Recreation Dept., City of Miami Beach.