2026 B.C. Chess Challenge

Location: Bonsor Recreation Complex (6550 Bonsor Avenue, Burnaby)

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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

BC is back on top! 🏆
After 34 years, Team BC brought home the 2023 Canadian Chess Challenge title.
Will you be part of the next winning team?

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The Road Ahead

Starting October 5th at UBC, the series kicks off with the first of three Regional events, leading up to the grand Provincial Championship on April 19th. 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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Provincial Championship

Tournament Details
Qualification:	B.C. students only Grade P - 12
Time Control:	15|10
Format:	5-round Swiss format
Ratings:	CMA & CFC Quick 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.

2025 Team BC Members and Players Qualified by Rating (Grade K-4: CMA, 5-12: CFC) as of January 15th, 2026

Grade	Team BC Name	Rating	Qualified by Rating Name	Rating
1			Casper Chen	893
2	Bowen Wang		Bowen Wang	930
3	Jimmy Rao		Karson Lu	1870
4	Josiah Lo		Elliot McCallum	1820
5	Aaron Gu		Moses Li	1736
6	Andrew Yin		Lucas Yao	2116
7	Jesse Law		Zachary Chua	1971
8	Joanne Wangluo		Zachary Liu	2236
9	Zichun Xiao		Justin Gao	2126
10	Liam Tu		Justin Xu	2242
11	Joey Xu		Ethan Song	2411
12	Robert McBain		Adam Mrazek	2291

 

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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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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