2025-2026 Regional Qualifier to B.C. Chess Challenge

Location: UBC Ponderosa Ballroom (6445 University Boulevard)

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BC's Annual Chess Showdown is Back!

Attention all B.C. students from Kindergarten to Grade 12! Our esteemed annual Chess Challenge series is here, and it's bigger and better than ever! This event is not only the initial move to a series of challenges but also your ticket to the national glory of the Canadian Chess Challenge.

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Our Legacy

Team BC didn't just participate last year; we dominated! After a 34-year wait, we clinched the Canadian Chess Challenge title, outclassing traditional powerhouses like Ontario and Quebec.

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The Road Ahead

Starting Oct 5th at UBC, the series kicks off with the first of three Regional events, leading up to the grand Provincial Championship in April 2026. Score 2.5 points or higher, or finish in the top 3 in your grade in a regional, and you've paved your way to the B.C. Chess Challenge, the stepping stone to national recognition.

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Who Should Join?

Whether you're a budding chess enthusiast or a seasoned player, this event is for YOU. While you have the chance to play against the best in your grade, this event is equally about sharpening those strategic edges and gaining invaluable tournament experience. While players can join multiple qualifiers, remember that you can claim only one trophy or medal across the qualifiers.

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Are You Ready?

We've made history; now, it's YOUR turn to be a part of this legacy. Will you be the next pride of BC? Dive into intense training, develop your strategies, and come prepared to continue our reigning legacy.

Get set, make your move, and let's keep the BC chess legacy burning bright!

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Provincial Organizers

Vancouver Chess School (VCS) will be organizing the Regional qualifiers and the Provincial Chess Challenge. Victoria Junior Chess Society will be hosting the Victoria Regional.

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Regional Qualifier

Tournament Details
Qualification:	B.C. students only Grade P - 12
Time Control:	15|10
Format:	5-round Swiss format
Ratings:	CMA rated
Activity	Starts	Ends
1st Round	9:00 am	10:00 am
2nd Round	10:00 am	11:00 am
3rd Round	11:00 am	12:00 am
Lunch	12:00 pm	12:30 pm
4th Round	12:30 pm	1:30 pm
5th Round	1:30 pm	2:30 pm
Awards Presentation	Est. 2:30 pm	-
Prizes:	Grade K-12: Trophies to top 3 players if the section has 6 or more participants; for sections with fewer than 6 players, 1 trophy and 2 medals will be awarded. Award certificates to all participants.

 

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Direct Entry to Provincial

Both Team BC members and players qualified by rating are eligible to skip regional events. These players can directly participate in the provincial tournament.

2024 Team BC Members and Players Qualified by Rating (Grade K-4: CMA, 5-12: CFC) as of Jan 15th, 2026

Grade	Team BC Name	Rating	Qualified by Rating Name	Rating
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

 

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Notice to parents:

• We do not provide child care services and cannot be held liable for the safety of your children. You must take full responsibility for the well-being of your child. They would require some forms of support from you between rounds, such as some encouraging words; supervising game play; ensuring they attend the next round on time; using the public restroom, etc.
• What to bring: Scorebook; Drinking water and healthy snacks.

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Notice to players:

• Playing up is not allowed. 
• May combine sections if they are small.
• Chess notation is optional. Please bring your own scorebook.
• No food or drinks inside the tournament room.

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Individual Tie Breaker for Swiss format:

1. Direct Encounter (Head to Head)
2. Cumulative score
3. Opposition cumulative score

Round Robin format:

1. Direct Encounter (Head to Head)
2. SonneBorne-Berger

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For School Team only:

Team Awards: Top 3 elementary and 3 high schools will earn trophies based on their best 4 players’ combined results.

Where two or more school teams are tied, the team with the highest number of won games will be declared the winner. If scores are still tied, the team with the highest number of first-place finishers will be declared the winner. If neither team has a first-place finisher, then the highest number of second-place finishers, and so on.

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Important Information:

• Door opens at 8:30 am only.
• Please arrive at least 5 minutes before the round starts. We will start the clock according to the schedule shown above.
• Chess sets and clocks are provided.
• If you cannot attend some rounds, a maximum of 2 zero point byes is allowed (except the last round). Email info@vanchess.ca with your request or inform the TD at least ½ hour before the round starts.
• If a player forfeits a game, it will be assumed they have withdrawn from the tournament. Notify us if you cannot be present for all games.

 

Registration fees: $50. Sibling discount $10 off for the 2nd member or higher in the family. No registration after 8:00 pm the night before the tournament. Must pay online in advance. No onsite registration.

Refund policy: No refunds within 24 hours. For refunds with more than 24 hours notice: Log into the student's account and click cancel under "My tournament."

Ratings: Chess Federation Canada (CFC), Chess n' Math (CMA)

Contact:

• Email: info@vanchess.ca
• Phone: (604)568-3283