National Junior Chess Congress
Tournament Information and Policies
(With excerpts taken from National Scholastic Spectator Policy written by US Director of National Events Boyd Reed)

The following apply to both the National Junior Chess Congress as well as all Side Events.

Spectator & Behavior Policy:

For fun, fairness, and safety for all, the playing halls will be open to the following people while games are in progress:

  • Players with games in progress.
  • Tournament staff
  • One parent of a player who is 6 years old or younger.


    • Parents, coaches and other attendees who do not fall into the above categories must remain outside the playing hall. There is ample seating outside of the playing area that is not directly in front of the playing hall. These hallways have to remain clear for foot traffic to flow through them.

    Next, any unacceptable or destructive behavior will be handled by and at the discretion of the Tournament Committee with possible consequences anywhere from a warning to removal of the tournament. The decision by this Tournament Committee is final. There are no refunds in these situations.

    Refund Policy:

    All refund requests of tournament entry fees will be granted with a fee of $20 per tournament prior to June 30 at midnight EST. No Refunds are offered on July 1 or after.

    Roster & Section Changes:

    Roster or Section changes are allowed and will be granted up to June 30 midnight EST. A fee of $20 per change is charged. No Roster nor Section changes will be made on July 1 or after.

    Allowable Electronic Devices:

    There are 4 devices allowable into the playing area of any tournament during this festival.

    1. Digital clocks that don't have any engine capability.
    2. Monroi
    3. Plycount
    4. ChessNoteR

    All other electronic devices (including cellphones are not allowed).

    The penalty for violating these rules may be any of the following:

    a. The player is forfeited.
    b. 20 minutes or 75% of the remaining time, whichever is less, is deducted from the player's clock.
    c. 10 minutes or half the remaining time, whichever is less, is deducted from the player's clock.
    d. 10 minutes is added to the opponent's clock.
    e. If no more than 5 moves have been played, the offender may receive a warning rather than a penalty.

    The TD will determine the penalty or combination of penalties, taking into consideration the details of the offense and the scores of the players. A second offense will generally result in forfeit. If there is evidence of cheating the player will be forfeited and usually ejected from the tournament with no refund.

    Required Equipment:

    We will be providing:

  • Boards and pieces for the tournament competition games. We won't have any for practice nor for game review. Please bring your own board and set for this purpose. We will also have a chess equipment vendor onsite in case you wish to purchase.
  • Scoresheets in the Tournament booklet for your tournament games. If you wish to use your scorebook or approved electronic device, you are welcome to do so.


    • We will not be providing:

  • Chess clocks. Please bring yours if you have one. The acceptable and approved are either digital or analog. Wrist watches, Apple watches, or IPAD devices that contain a chess clock (usually downloaded) are not acceptable. Chess clocks will be for sale onsite.


    • All players (ages 7 or higher) in all tournaments with the exception of the K/8 Non-Rated tournaments on Friday and Saturday, Friday Blitz tournament, and Saturday Puzzle Solving Competition will be required to take chess notation of each game.

    Contact Us:

    Pleae contact Joe Hanley at hanleychessacademy@gmail.com for all questions. Thank you.