Chessplayers from 2nd-12th grades, of all abilities, are invited to play in the ....

Chess Grand Prix Tournaments 2026

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Registration opens July 27

Dog Days Grand Prix standings, tourney results here

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Play in one, some, or all four:
Dog Days Chess I -- Monday August 3
Dog Days Chess II -- Monday August 10
Dog Days Chess III -- Monday August 17
Dog Days Chess IV -- Monday August 24

Where:
Ferndale Public Library -- 2125 Main Street, Ferndale -- map here

Check-in: Begins at 9:10am, closes at 9:20am sharp. Due to pairing restrictions, late arrivals cannot be accommodated, sorry. Get there early.

Entry fee: Free! Beginners welcome! Pre-registration is required for each tourney. Sign up by 10pm the day before.

Energy fee: Everyone, help set up tables, chairs, boards, sets, clocks, and posters.

Grand Prix Scoring:
One point for a win, zero for a loss, half point for a draw. Whoever scores the most points over all four tournaments, wins the Grand Prix! You can play in one, two, three, or all four.

Grand Prix Prizes:
At each Grand Prix, perfect scores (three wins) earn Northwest Chess magazine and one chess sticker. 2.5 scores earn two chess stickers, two wins earns one chess sticker. Unrated (first time) players always get a chess sticker. And after the third and final Grand Prix, the following will be awarded based on total number of wins scored ovar all four Grand Prix tournaments.

• Trophies to 1st-5th place
• Medals to 6th-10th place

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The 2026 Dog Days Chess Grand Prix rated tournaments are open to any 2nd-12th grade players that desire to play competitive NWSRS rated tournament games. Beginner players are welcome! You need to learn the rules of chess before you arrive. Learn or review the rules of chess here (web page) or here (video) if you wish. Freshly graduated H.S. seniors are welcome to play also.

Players will be placed in different playing groups of between four to eight players, of approximately equal playing ability based on the latest NWSRS ratings. These feature three games, no elimination, with a time control of Game/25 minutes with five second delay per player. The tournaments are rated by the NW Scholastic Ratings System, so tournament rules are in effect: if you touch a piece, you must move it.

Experienced players in the top sections will be required to record their moves, so bring a pen or pencil. Score sheets and sets/boards will be provided, but bring a clock if you have one. It's a no elimination tournament, each player can expect to play three rated games each evening.

Schedule for each Dog Days Grand Prix tourney:
Check-in begins at 9:10am and closes at 9:20am sharp. When you check in, just cross your name off of the roster to show that you're here. If you're even a minute late, you won't get to play.

It takes about ten minutes to get the pairings posted for Round One. Once pairings are posted, the players find their seats, we have opening announcements, tournament rules are reviewed, and then the first round of games begin.

Each round takes about 45 minutes, depending on how quickly the players move. (Younger players tend to move more quickly.) As soon as all players in a section have finished their first round games, the pairings for Round Two are posted, and players can begin their second round game right away. When all Round Two games are finished, Round Three can begin. Once your third game is over, players are free to depart. Just make sure to mark your results on the pairing sheet after each round!

Younger students might be done at 11:00am. Some high schoolers might finish as late as 12:45pm.

Near the end, if you're still around and have time and energy, assistance with putting away the boards, sets, clocks, chairs, tables and board numbers is appreciated. Thanks!

The Grand Prix formula favors players who play each week, and who are improving, so you could win if you put your mind to it! The current, updated NWSRS ratings will be used in each Grand Prix Quad. (If the NWSRS ratings haven't been updated since the last tourney, SwissSys estimated ratings may be used.)

The Dog Days Chess Grand Prix chess tournaments are directed by Randy Kaech, with assistance from All Of You.

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2025 Hot Summer Chess Grand Prix final standings
2025 Dog Days of Summer Grand Prix final standings