Delancey UK Schools Chess Challenge – Cornwall Megafinal
Saturday 1 June 2019
Stratton Primary School
New Road
Stratton
Bude
Cornwall
EX23 9AP
Congratulations! If you are reading this you may have qualified for the Cornwall Megafinal. This page is intended to give you some idea of what to expect. If you do not find the information you need, please contact us.
The aim of the day is simply to enjoy a great day’s chess against the best in the county and make some new friends – good luck!
I entered the Delancey Schools UK Chess Challenge – who are Bude Chess?
Bude Chess is the chess club in Bude. We run a junior club from 18.30 – 19.15 and a senior club 19.30 – 22.30 at the British Legion in Bude from September to May.
Bude Chess organise the Cornwall Megafinal by licence on behalf of the DUKSCC.
Qualification and entry
Primary School aged children (up to and including Year 6 (U11)) – This event is open ONLY to those who have qualified (usually through their School or chess club).
Secondary School aged children – qualification not required.
You must enter on the DUKCC website – entries must be received by the closing date Wednesday 29 May. Entries may close sooner if venue capacity is reached.
*** THIS EVENT IS STRICTLY NO ENTRY ON THE DAY ***
Venue and Parking
Stratton Primary School is located just off the A39 in Stratton. There is a free car park for approximately 60 cars in front of the school. Please park within the marked spaces.
On the day there will be a small refreshment area selling hot and cold drinks and cakes. This will be located in the parents' room which is separate from the playing hall.
On arrival
The first round is at 10.30, with doors opening at 10.00. Our registration team will welcome you on arrival and direct you to the parents' room. Registration is important because it allows us to check that players are in the correct section before play begins.
Find a base in the parents’ room and make sure your children know where to find you. Parents/carers can accompany players into the playing hall, help them find their table, and listen to any announcements but are asked to leave once play starts….so it is important your child knows where to find you as games can last any time from 5-50 minutes.
Supervision:
Parents and carers are responsible for their children and should supervise them when they are not in a playing areas.
Parents and carers are not permitted in the playing areas once play is underway.
Timetable for the day
At the Megafinal you will play all 6 rounds in a day and you will know by the time you go home if you have qualified for the next stage (the Gigafinal).
Everyone plays in all rounds – it is not a ‘knockout’ competition.
Age-Groups
The competition is organised into age groups: Under 7, Under 8, Under 9, Under 10, Under 11, Under 12, Under 13, Under 14, Under 15, Under 16, Under 17, and Under 18 so you will only be playing opponents of the same age. However, some sections (particularly older girls) may need to be merged if there are insufficient entries to ensure a viable section.
For 2019, your age will be based on how old you were at midnight on 31st August 2018. So, for example, children born between 1st September 2007 – 31st August 2008 (usually in school year 6) will have been age 10 on 31st August and so will be in the Under 11 category.
Scoring
At the Megafinal normal chess scoring will be used:
1 point if you win
0.5 point if you draw
0 points if you lose
Sometimes there may be an uneven number of players so one player does not have a match. This is called a ‘bye’ and you will score 1 point. You will probably have the chance to be paired with a player from another section for a ‘friendly’.
Most games will be played using chess clocks which measure the time taken by each player. Don’t worry if you have not used one before; they are quite simple to use and will be explained at the start of the competition.
Matches will take place in a large playing hall where silence must be maintained at all times. If you need help, put your hand up and a referee (called an ‘arbiter’ in chess) will come and help you.
Who will I play?
The players you are drawn against is decided by the ‘swiss’ chess pairing system, whereby players on the same number of points play each other. So, for example, if you win in Round 1 and so have 1 point you will play someone else who has 1 point in the next round.
someone else who has 1 point in the next round.
How do I qualify for the next stage – the Gigafinal?
The highest placed boy in each age group becomes the Supremo, and qualifies for the Gigafinal.
The highest placed girl in each age group becomes the Suprema, and qualifies for the Gigafinal.
Titles and prizes will be subject to tie-break rules.
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Direct Encounter
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Median-Buchholz
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Buchholz Cut 1
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Buchholz
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Drawing of Lots
These can appear complicated but will be explained on the day if they become relevant.
For players who are used to competing regularly the important thing to know is that the Delancey UK Schools Chess Challenge does not use ‘sum of progressive scores’ as a tie-break.
Everyone scoring 3½ points or more (out of a possible 6) qualifies for the Gigafinal.
More details about the venue and format of the Gigafinal will be available on the DUKCC website nearer the time.
If you qualify you will be handed information about the format and what to do next at prizegiving.
Whether you qualify for the Gigafinal or not, we hope you have a fun day, and would love to see you again at Bude Chess.