The Rockville Back-to-School Tournament

Hilton Garden Inn Rockville-Gaithersburg

14975 Shady Grove Rd, Rockville, Maryland  20850

Saturday August 29, 2026 at 9 am

Register here: https://caissachess.net/register/11114048

Tournament Information

• This tournament will take place on Saturday, August 29 at 9 am.
• Four rounds: first round at 9 am, subsequent rounds occur as soon as possible
• Please show up on time. Players may be forfeited if they arrive more than fifteen minutes late.
• One section (Monrad pairings eliminate need for multiple sections--see below)
• Time control: Game in 25 minutes with a 5-second delay (US Chess regular and quick rated)
• Entry fee: $34 by 8/15, $39 by 8/22, $44 by 8/28, $50 on the day of the tournament (on-site registration is allowed; registration for round one closes at 9:30 am on Saturday).
• Boards and pieces will be provided for all players, but we don’t have enough clocks for everyone (those who have clocks are welcome to bring them)
• This tournament is US Chess rated, so an active US Chess membership is required. Click here to join the US Chess Federation for the first time or to renew an inactive membership: https://new.uschess.org/user/login?destination=/form/membership
• Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Click here to show mail address with any questions
• PRIZES: Trophies to 1st through 3rd in each section

Note about special rules for pairings:

This tournament will feature Monrad pairings, which is a variation on Swiss pairings that reduces mismatches. The use of Monrad pairings eliminates the need for multiple sections as players are often paired against closely related opponents, especially in early rounds. To read more about Monrad Swiss pairings, visit Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss-system_tournament#Monrad_system Because we are using Monrad pairings, which are better at reducing mismatches, there are no separate K-3, K-5, K-8, and K-12 sections. Instead, there is just one section for everyone. To be eligible for grade-based prizes, please include the player's grade in the "grade" field when you register.

Advantages of Monrad Pairings:

• Fewer mismatches, more games against closely-rated opponents
• Eliminate need for multiple sections
• Anyone can win the tournament (lower-rated players are more likely to play each other, which means that anyone has a chance to win)
• Less playing down (higher-rated players are less likely to have to play down)

Venue Information/Logistics

• PARKING: The hotel has plenty of free parking.
• Free water will be provided for attendees.
• There is no scheduled lunch break, but there is almost always time for players to have food between games. There aren't any scheduled round times--rounds will occur as soon as possible.

Register here: https://caissachess.net/register/11114048