Official Chess Fall Showdown Season

Week 1 – Sunday, September 20, 2026

East Side Community High School
420 East 12th Street
New York, NY 10009

The general event time may appear as 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM because it covers
all sections. Please use the table above for your specific Round 1 start
time.

Parking Options

Discounted parking may be available near the school. Prices and availability
are controlled by the parking providers.

Five Independent Tournaments. One Exciting Season.

Every Fall Showdown weekend is a complete standalone US Chess-rated Swiss
tournament.

Compete for individual and team trophies, enjoy four exciting rounds of
chess in most sections, and earn points toward the Fall Showdown Season
Championship individual and team trophies.

You can play just this event or compete throughout all five
weekends. The choice is completely yours.

Register for the Sunday, September 20 event below and compete for trophies
in the lower sections or cash in the top two sections. Either way, it is
time to go for the gold.

Complete Fall Showdown Season Schedule

Each tournament requires a separate registration. Registration links for
the remaining Fall Showdown weekends will be posted as they become available.

Fall Showdown Season

This tournament is one of five weekends that make up the Official Chess
Fall Showdown Season.

Players who compete in multiple weekends earn points toward our Season
Championships while still competing for a complete set of awards every
single weekend.

Every weekend has:

• Its own Swiss pairings
• Individual standings
• Team standings
• Individual trophies or cash prizes
• Team trophies

Players also earn Season Championship points that accumulate throughout
the fall.

Build Any Team You Want

We considered this policy carefully and believe it provides a more rewarding
experience for participants while preserving the integrity and fairness of
the tournament.

Create a team with your:

• School
• Chess club
• Family
• Friends
• Neighborhood
• Condo or apartment building
• Any organization

There are no rosters to submit.

Simply register under the exact same team name and everyone will
automatically be placed on the same team.

To avoid confusion, choose a unique team name whenever possible. Before
registering, check the Advance Entries list to see whether another team is
already using your desired name unless you intend to join that team.

A simple way to make your team name unique is to add a number, such as
Brooklyn Knights 67.

Players may switch teams between tournament weekends. Previous scores remain
with the previous team, while future scores count toward the new team.

Maximum 25 players per team each weekend.

Adults Can Play Too!

Parents, coaches, and other adults are welcome to compete in the
900-1300 section and above.

Families can compete together on the same team.

1900+ Section Adjustment for Overall Team Scoring

This tournament uses standard Swiss scoring: 1 point for a win, 0.5 point
for a draw, and 0 points for a loss.

Because the 1900+ section plays three rounds instead of four, its scores are
adjusted for Overall Team Championship purposes:

• Win: 1 1/3 points
• Draw: 2/3 point
• Loss: 0 points

Section Time Controls and Round Times

PLEASE NOTE THE STAGGERED ROUND 1 START TIMES.

All sections use Swiss pairings.

Round start times are fixed. Please look for pairing announcements and
postings approximately 10 minutes before each round. Clocks will start at
the listed time. Games may begin earlier if both opponents are present at
the board and agree to begin.

Official September 2026 US Chess Published Regular Ratings

will be used.

A player may choose a higher section only if the player’s

Live US Chess Rating exceeds that section’s minimum rating
,
even if the player’s published rating does not.

Two byes are permitted. Each bye earns the same number of
tournament points as a draw and does not affect the player’s US Chess rating.

Awards

Every tournament weekend awards:

• Cash prizes for the top two sections:
  • 1900+ Section: $1,250 total – $600 for 1st, $300 for
    2nd, $150 for 3rd, $100 for 4th, and $100 for 5th
  • 1600-2000 Section: $750 total – $350 for 1st, $150
    for 2nd, $100 for 3rd, $100 for 4th, and $50 for 5th
  • Cash prizes will be split in the event of ties. For example, if two
    players tie for first in the 1900+ section, they will divide the
    combined first- and second-place prize money equally.
• Individual trophies in the lower sections
• Team trophies in every section
• Overall Team Championship trophies across all sections

Team Scoring

• The top three scores from a team within each section count toward that
  section’s Team Championship.
• The top six scores from any combination of sections count toward the
  Overall Team Championship.

Players also earn Season Championship points, including

bonus points for every additional tournament weekend they play.

Coaches Corner

An Entry PLUS ticket is required for Coaches Corner access.

No personal coach available to review your games and no team room? We have
you covered.

• Upgrade your experience and improve your chances of winning trophies.
• Master-level players and professional coaches will be onsite in the
  Coaches Corner, offering real-time game reviews, tips, and personalized
  advice between rounds.
• Gain insights while your moves and reasoning are still fresh.
• Quickly uncover critical mistakes and missed opportunities to strengthen
  your play before the next round.
• The Week 1 coaching lineup will be announced and updated on this page.

Entry Fee

Early registration starts at $59. Entry fees will increase
as the tournament approaches.

Players who compete in multiple Fall Showdown weekends will receive a
10% refund on all tournament entry fees after the
completion of the Fall Showdown Season.

Other Important Information

• Chess sets, pencils, and score sheets are provided.
• Please bring a chess clock. Players are responsible for
  knowing how to set and operate their clock.
• An active US Chess membership through September 20, 2026 is required.
• Notation books are permitted, but cell phones must remain turned off and
  out of sight during tournament play.
• Notation is required in every section except Unrated-600.
• Artificial intelligence devices and electronic eyeglasses are strictly
  prohibited in the tournament rooms.
• Parents are not permitted in the tournament rooms during games.
• By registering, participants acknowledge and agree that photographs and
  video may be taken by authorized staff, media representatives, or partners
  for promotional and educational purposes.
• Images and video may be used without compensation in Official Chess
  publications, promotional materials, websites, and social media.
• Player names will appear in tournament results and reports, as is standard
  for US Chess-rated events.
• Official Chess reserves the right to refuse entry or revoke a registration
  at its sole discretion or in accordance with US Chess rules, including the
  US Chess Safe Play Policies and Sanction List.

View the US Chess Safe Play Guidelines

View the US Chess Sanctioned Members List

Event details are subject to change. Any material changes will be
communicated to registered participants in advance.