Important Prep Information Page for 2026 New York Metro Area 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:

  • Section selection
  • 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 January, please renew it before the tournament to avoid issues on the day of the event.

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/2026metros/

2) 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 and December Published USCF rating.

⚠️ 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 prior to the New Year, as our capacity to address issues after December 31 will be extremely limited.

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
🔔 Enable notifications by tapping the bell icon
If needed: Menu → Channel Info → Notifications → Ensure not muted

All Championship Sections
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7OaTM9WtCDWikdY122

Saturday-Only Under Sections
(HS U1900, HS U1200, Elem U1500, Elem U1100, Elem U700)
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBySQc4Crfmduk3gi1G

Sunday-Only Sections
(JH U1300, Primary U1000, Primary U600, K-1 U400)
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7ExiWFnSz7Cfjw360y

5) KEEP TRAINING!

The NYC 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.

  • Tickets received via email are for reference only
  • We will not use the QR-code you received for check-in
  • If your child’s name appears on the Advance Entries table
    (https://officialchess.org/event/2026metros/), they will be paired for every round unless a bye was requested 

⏰ 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

⏰ First-Round Start Times

Saturday

  • Championship Sections: 9:30 AM
  • Under Sections: 10:00 AM

Sunday

  • All Sections: 9:00 AM

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 9th Floor – Barrymore Room)

  • Pick up your wristbands at Chess Control (6th Floor) after dropping off your child for Round 1
  • We strongly recommend visiting Coaches Corner immediately after each round
  • 7 master-level coaches will be available
  • Coaches will prioritize game reviews for the kids before spending any time doing general coaching
  • Private lessons may be arranged directly with coaches

4) Tournament Playing Hall Locations (6th Floor)

Broadway Ballroom

  • All Championship Sections
  • Includes an overhanging balcony for brief pre-round photos
    ⚠️ Once parents are asked to vacate the Tournament Hall, the balcony must also be cleared

Shubert Complex (Left of Broadway Ballroom)

  • Saturday: HS U1200, HS U1900, Elem U1100, Elem U1500
  • Sunday: JH U1300

Majestic Complex (Right of Broadway Ballroom)

  • Saturday: Elem U700
  • Sunday: K-1 U400, Primary U1000, Primary U600

5) Chess Control & Pairings

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

📧 metros2026@zohomail.com
⚠️ Official Chess email addresses will not be monitored on January 3–4

6) Team Rooms – 7th Floor AND 4th Floor

  • All team rooms are located on the 7th Floor and 4th Floor
  • Assigned rooms will be communicated separately

7) Skittles & Parents Lounge – 9th Floor

For families without team rooms:

  • Terrace
  • Marquis Ballroom
  • Cantor/Jolson Rooms

🍽️ Food and beverage vendors will be available on the Terrace

8) Time Control Update (Under Sections)

The time control for all  Under Sections has been adjusted from G/35 d5 to G/30 d5, allowing more time between rounds for rest, snacks, and game reviews.

9) 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 Majestic Complex at the “K–5 Holding Area” sign.

  • Tournament staff will be present to assist
  • Parents may pick up children as they exit
  • Staff will call/text guardians if a child is not comfortable walking back to parents alone 
  • Limited seating will be available

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 ♕♔