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Sat, Nov 15th - SKCA Fairfax County K-12 November
Sun, Nov 16th - DMV Fall K-12
Sat, Nov 22nd - Rockville K-12
Wed, Nov 26th - Thanksgiving Break K-12
Sun, Nov 30th - Tysons Corner Fall K-12
Sat, Dec 13th - 1st Oak Grove K-12
Sat, Dec 20th - SKCA Baltimore County K-12
Sun, Dec 21st - Ice-Cold K-12
Sun, Dec 28th - Baltimore Winter K-12
Wed, Dec 31st - New Year's Eve K-12

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Maryland Chess Association

Thanksgiving Break K-12
Wednesday 26 November 2025
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The Thanksgiving Break Scholastic Tournament

Hampton Inn and Suites Dulles

22700 Holiday Park Drive, Sterling, VA 20166

Wednesday, November 26th at 10 am

One Day Before Thanksgiving (kids are off school)

 

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)

Tournament Information​

  • Four rounds: first round at 10 am, subsequent rounds occur as soon as possible
  • There is also a workshop later in the day with National Master Victor Sawhney-Duran (see registration page for more information)
  • One section: Monrad pairings reduce mismatches, eliminating the need for separate K-3, K-5, K-8, and K-12 sections (see note above)
  • Time control: Game in 25 minutes with a 5-second delay (US Chess regular and quick rated)
  • Prizes: trophies to 1st through 3rd in each section
  • Entry fee
    • Tournament only: $35 by 11/10, $40 by 11/19, $45 by 11/25, $50 by 11/26 (on-site registration closes 30 minutes before round 1)
  • 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

How to Register

Go here: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/7568