Chess Tournaments

Tournament participation is an important component of a child’s development as a chess player and Arts and Athletics is happy to host eight tournaments over the course of the 2025-26 school year. 

Arts and Athletics chess tournaments are developmental in nature, supporting student growth in skill and confidence with a friendly and familiar setting.  Children are able to explore tournament play and enjoy low-key competition as they prepare for future participation in city, state, and nation-wide tournaments.

To promote the children’s participation, the Arts and Athletics chess coaches attend tournaments and review children’s games with them. 

Register for the November 16, 2025 tournament by clicking here.

Tournament dates for the 2025-26 school year are:

September 21, 2025
November 16, 2025
December 7, 2025
January 11, 2026
February 1, 2026
March 22, 2026
April 19, 2026
May 17 , 2026

VIEW TOURNAMENT ENTRIES HERE

P.S. 9 Chess Tournaments: Use guest registration option if you do not have an Arts and Athletics account. Basic information about our chess tournament logistics appears below.

DIRECTIONS

100 W 84th St, New York, NY 10024

Nearest Trains: 1 train to 79^th or 86^th Street, B or C trains at 81^st or 86^th Street

SECTIONS

• Unrated – unrated players U200 (4 rounds, no clock)

• Novice – U600 (4 rounds, G/25 d5)

• Reserve – USCF Under 1000 (4 rounds, G/25 d5)

• Advanced – USCF Under 1400 (4 rounds, G/25 d5)

Tie-breaks: Modified Median, Solkoff.

ROUND TIMES

All sections start at 10:00 a.m., please arrive between 9:00 am – 9:30 am.

Arrivals after 10:00 a.m. will play the second round and receive a half point bye.

Players in rated sections should bring clocks and score sheets.

USCF membership is required for all sections, except Unrated.

Please bring a chess clock if you have one. If neither player has a clock, one will be used for the end of game at the tournament director’s discretion.

AWARDS

• Trophies to top 5 in each section

• Medals to top scorers

• Team Awards to top 3 schools in each section (Three to make a team, Top 4 Scores Count)

• Participation Prize for all participants

REGISTRATION

• $45 – Early Bird Registration Fee 

• $50 – Registration fee in place 5 days before event and day of by 9:30 AM

• On site registration will be for rounds 2-4

SCHOLASTIC MEMBERSHIP FOR USCF

You can purchase a scholastic membership to United States Chess Federation ($24 for one year and $45 for two years) at the link below. This makes it possible to establish and track your child’s official chess rating.

https://new.uschess.org/become-member

FOOD AND DRINK

Snacks, drinks, and pizza available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the PS 9 PA

CONTACT US 212-621-9166, info@artsandathletics.org