A little help before your first move.

Any student in grades K–12 who lives in South Dakota is welcome, regardless of age. Bring your love of chess - there’s a place for every skill level!

Absolutely! The Novice / Reserve section is made for beginners and first-time tournament players. You don’t need tournament experience to take part. If you’re wondering where to start, we’re happy to help.

They get to try again! This isn’t an elimination tournament, so one loss doesn’t end the day. Players continue through all five rounds, except when assigned a bye. Each round is a fresh chance to play, learn, and enjoy the game.

For the state championship competition, choose a grade-eligible Open section: K–3, K–5, K–8, or K–12. Those ranges overlap; ask the tournament team if you’re unsure which to enter or want to play in a higher grade group. The Novice / Reserve section is a welcoming choice for beginners or players who aren’t quite ready for championship play. Not sure? Email tournaments@chess4life.com and we’ll help you find a good fit.

Players in grades 4 and above who enter an Open championship section need a current US Chess membership. No membership is needed for Novice / Reserve, and SDCA membership is optional. Registering for this tournament doesn’t renew a US Chess membership, so please check yours separately. Email us if you’d like help with this step.

Plan for five rounds of chess. In Open sections, each player gets 40 minutes with a 3-second delay before the clock counts down on each move. Reserve players get 30 minutes with a 3-second delay or increment. An increment adds time after a move. If an Open clock doesn’t offer delay, a 3-second increment may be used instead.

Yes! Students play individual games, and the four highest scores from each school combine for team awards. A school needs at least two players to qualify. Top team awards are offered for each Open Championship section and separately for Reserve.

If a section has an odd number of players, someone may sit out one round and receive a full point. That’s called a bye. The tournament pairing rules determine who receives it. It’s a chance to take a breather before the next game.

We understand that plans sometimes change. You can leave early; just let the tournament director know before you go. That helps us avoid pairing another student with someone who has already left.

Yes! Awards go to anyone scoring 3.0 or more out of 5. We’ll celebrate overall placements, school teams, and first-time tournament participants. Trophies go to top individual and team finishers in both Championship and Reserve sections.

Open championship games are US Chess rated, which means the results help establish or update a player’s tournament rating. The 2027 NWRS rating arrangement for all sections is still being confirmed. You can still join the Novice / Reserve section without a membership.

Please plan to bring or arrange your own lunch. We’re confirming the venue’s food policies and nearby options, and we’ll share those details before the event so you can plan comfortably.

If the entry fee makes it difficult for your child to attend, please reach out to tournaments@chess4life.com about a discounted entry. We’d love to help more students take part. You can also contact us if you’d like to help another family attend.

Yes - please register online and email tournaments@chess4life.com to arrange cash or check payment. Onsite registration is $40 if space is still available, so registering ahead is the best way to secure your spot.

We’ll share a handy guide before the event with equipment needs, arrival and parking instructions, and information about supervision and spectators. Check back here as April approaches, or email us if there’s something you need to know sooner.

We’d love to have you join us, so please register early! If the event fills, additional registrations will go on a waitlist. Families will be contacted if a spot opens up.

Make sure every child is included as a player when you register. We’re confirming the registration system’s steps for adding siblings. If you need help, email tournaments@chess4life.com before paying.

Supervision, drop-off, and spectator policies are still being confirmed. Please do not assume this is a drop-off event. We’ll post the final policy before tournament day; contact the tournament team if you need that information before registering.

No. Friday Bughouse is optional, with separate registration and a separate entry fee. Your child can play in Saturday’s championship without attending Friday.

Yes. Open Championship section winners are offered the opportunity to represent South Dakota at the corresponding national state invitational: K–3 to Ashley, K–5 to Rockefeller, K–8 to Barber, and K–12 to Denker, subject to US Chess eligibility and SDCA nomination. Reserve and Bughouse wins do not automatically qualify a player. See all national pathways.

We’re happy to help! For sections, registration, school groups, or payment, email tournaments@chess4life.com. For other questions about the event, please email City of Sioux Falls Park & Rec at parksandrec@siouxfalls.gov or call 605-367-8222. We look forward to seeing you at the board!