Important Prep Information Page for May 2026 New York Metro Area GRADE Scholastic Chess Championships

Also see:

Click For Player Reference Page

Click for Latest Pairings / Standings

PRE-TOURNAMENT PREPARATION

1) Check Your Registration for Accuracy

Please review your information on the Advance Entries table, paying close attention to:

  • Grade selection – Please ensure you are have signed up for the player’s grade as of May 2026
  • Byes requested
  • USCF membership status

Official Chess will review memberships and contact anyone who needs to renew.

👉 Only players with active USCF memberships in good standing will be allowed to play.

If your membership expires in May, please renew it before the tournament to avoid issues on the day of the event. (https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess)

Note: When you renew your USCF membership, additional months are added to your current expiration date (not the renewal date), so you will not lose any time you have already paid for.

Advance Entries table located at the bottom of the event page: https://officialchess.org/event/grademetros2026/

2) Automatic Ratings & Eligibility Check

We review all player ratings to ensure accuracy and confirm that no player is registered in a section for which they are not eligible based on grade.

Pairings within each section will be based on May 2026 published regular ratings using the Swiss System.

⚠️ If you have not yet provided your USCF ID, please do so ASAP. Any delay may create eligibility issues.

3) Additional Pre-Tournament Inquiries

Please raise any other questions or concerns as soon as possible. Questions and requests made within 48 hours of the tournament may not be addressed.

4) Join the WhatsApp Channels (Very Important)

Critical announcements during the tournament will be shared through WhatsApp Channels. Please join the appropriate channel based on your child’s section(s).

⚠️ Navigate to the “Updates” tab (not “Chats”) to access Channels
🔔 MUST enable notifications by tapping the bell icon – it is muted by default
Menu → Channel Info → Notifications → Click Bell to unmute

5) KEEP TRAINING!

The NYC GRADE Championship Titles and hundreds of trophies and prizes are waiting for your kids!

DAY-OF-TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

Location: New York Marriott Marquis, Times Square

1535 Broadway New York, NY 10036 (Entrance between Broadway and 8th avenue. Accessible on 45th or 46th street)

(212) 398-1900

1) Check-In and Round Start Procedures

There is no check-in required. Please report directly to your boards before the states round start times.

  • Tickets received via email are for reference only (or for 10% discounts at the Revel & Rye restaurant and Travel Traders Gift Shop – not including alcohol)
  • We will not use the QR-code you received for check-in
  • If your child’s name appears on the Advance Entries table, they will be paired for every round unless a bye was requested
    (https://officialchess.org/event/grademetros2026/)

⏰ Late Board Arrival Policy

  • Chess clocks start exactly at the scheduled round time
  • Arriving late places the player at a significant disadvantage
  • Arriving more than 30 minutes late = no-show and forfeit (loss)

If you know in advance your child has to miss a round you must notify Chess Control ahead of time

If you are not able to tell Chess Control in advance of a no-show you MUST report to Chess Control before the next round’s pairings are posted so we know you intend on playing the remaining rounds of the tournament

⏰ Round Start Times

Saturday: 9:00am – Join us for the opening ceremony where Hikaru Nakamura will be joined by the top rated players in every section for the ceremonial opening move!

Round 1 – 9:30am
Round 2 – 12:00pm
Round 3 – 2:30pm
Round 4 – 5:00pm

Sunday:

Round 5 – 9:00am
Round 6 – 12:30pm

Awards will be on Sunday for all sections at ~ 3:30pm –
Right before the handing out of trophies, JulesGambit will be hosting a fireside chat with Hikaru Nakamura

2) Tournament Room Procedures

  • Chess sets are provided
  • Players must bring their own clocks and pencils
  • Clocks will be available for purchase at the bookstore
  • TDs will absolutely assist but players are responsible to know how to set their own clocks
  • Notation books are permitted; notation sheets will also be available

Board numbers will be placed on each table in sequential order

Each board will have a scorecard placed on it before every round. Players must:

  1. Fill it out before the game
  2. Raise a hand when finished
  3. Have both players sign the score card

3) Entry PLUS Ticket Holders

Only families who purchased the Entry PLUS upgrade will receive a wristband granting access to the Coaches Corner (located on the 7th Floor – Columbia Room)

  • Pick up your wristbands at Chess Control (6th Floor) after dropping off your child for Round 1
    • Coaches will not provide game reviews to any players without a wristband
  • We strongly recommend visiting Coaches Corner immediately after each round
  • 5 master-level coaches will be available
  • Coaches will prioritize game reviews for the kids before spending any time doing general coaching
  • Most of our coaches are available for hire – feel free to inquire about private lessons

4) Tournament Playing Hall Locations (spans both 6th and 7th Floors)

Broadway Ballroom (consists of playing level and also the Balcony which is accesible via 7th floor)

  • All Sections play in the Broadway Ballroom however there are 2 entrances (6th and 7th floors)
  • Importantly players in K-5th grade will be exiting the playing hall on the 6th floor and will be chaperoned until a parent/guardian is located
  • Players in 6th grade and above will exit via the 7th floor Broadway Ballroom Balcony doors
  • The Balcony is available for brief pre-round photos
    ⚠️ Once parents are asked to vacate the Tournament Hall, the balcony must also be cleared

5) Chess Control & Pairings

  • Located outside the elevator banks to right on the 6th Floor, look for Chess Control signage
  • Noreen and Nelson will be the primary points of contact
  • Pairings, and standings posted on black bulletin boards outside elevator banks near escalators
  • Updates also shared via WhatsApp

⚠️ Official Chess email addresses may not be monitored on May 9-10th. To ensure your requests and inquiries are addressed, you must visit Chess Control in person.

You may email metros2026@zohomail.com with inquiries, but they may not be addressed in a timely manner during the tournament.

6) Team Rooms – 7th Floor

  • All team rooms are located on the 7th Floor
  • Assigned rooms will be communicated separately

7) Skittles & Parents Lounge – 9th Floor

For families without team rooms:

  • Terrace
  • Marquis Ballroom

8) Guardian Responsibilities

  • This is not a drop-off event
  • Parents and guardians must supervise children between rounds
  • Ball-playing is not permitted per hotel policy
  • Hugs for your child are also mandatory 

10) K–5 Holding Area Policy

Parents may gather outside the Broadway Ballroom on the 6th floor for K-5th graders and 7th floor for 6-12th graders. Limited seats will be available but please respect the ropes.

  • Tournament staff will be present to assist on the 6th floor only
  • Parents may pick up children as they exit – staff on 6th floor will be there in case children do not immediately see their parents
  • If children indicate they are comfortable/allowed to go back to Team Rooms or Skittles area alone, we will allow them to do so
  • Staff will call/text guardians if a child is not comfortable walking back to parents alone 
    • If your child does not know your cell phone number, please write it in your child’s notation book (great in case the book gets lost too!) or on a piece of paper in his/her pocket to help speed up the process of contacting you if needed
  • Seating will be available for kids as they wait to be picked up

We are incredibly excited to welcome you to this special event and cannot wait to see our young kings and queens shine on the biggest stage yet ♕♔