Our Innovative Formula
The Charlotte Scholastic Series is a special, quarterly tournament series geared toward scholastic children that are still relatively new to chess. The tournament is split into three sections.
The first section, our
Express Challenge, is geared toward younger children (under age 13 and a 1000 rating) that are excited about chess but still developing their patience and stamina. Games are relatively short, with 30 minutes per player per game. This, and a tight tournament schedule, minimizes downtime. All children are guaranteed 3 USCF rated games.
View the Express Challenge Hall of Fame. The second section, A Star is Born, is designed to accommodate those children under age 13 that are not yet USCF members. We recognize that that extra step of becoming a USCF member can be daunting to first time players and we want to make the transition to rated tournament play easier. The format of this section will be exactly the same as the Express Section.
Since these two sections will finish by lunchtime, an awards ceremony will be held from approximately 12:30 pm - 1 pm. All participants who complete their schedule will receive prizes! Trophies will be given to players completing "The Express Challenge" (going 3-0 in the Express Section). Memberships will be awarded to top placing players in the A Star is Born section.
The third section, Deep Thinkers, is motivated by the desire to give more experienced tournament player (under age 19 and under 1000 rating) a more complete tournament. With 4 rounds and 60 minutes per player, this section will not be completed until the evening.
Our 5:15 pm awards ceremony will feature the presentation of the U1000 and U500 championship trophies to the highest scoring player under 1000 and under 500 USCF rating. All participants who complete their schedules will take home prizes!
Trophies from the 2014 Charlotte Spring Scholastic
Express Section in Progress!
Deep Thinkers in Progress!
Awards Ceremony
Chess Cupcakes - prizes for all!
The Chief Tournament Director for this series is NM Shawn Pealer. Shawn works as a chess instructor for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Scholastic Chess Association as well as teaching private lessons. He has run tournaments for players of all ages and levels. One of his largest directing tasks is running the 3 large unrated team tournaments held each year by the CMSCA. Shawn is married with 2 children.