How to Qualify for the OSCF State Championship

To play in the 2013 OSCF State Championship tournament, a player must meet three criteria:

Summary:

1. Age & Residency: Open only to Oregon students in grades K-12.
2. Participation: Play in at least two “OSCF State Qualifier” tournaments listed in green font on the NWSRS calendar between 5/1/2012 and 4/1/2013.
3. Experience: Earn an established NWSRS or US Chess Federation rating, i.e. play at least 15 NWSRS or 26 USCF rated games lifetime.

The Fine Print:

1. Age & Residency:   Players must be at least 5 years of age and younger than 19 on the day of the tournament and enrolled in grades K-12 in a public or private school or schooled at home. Players must live full-time in Oregon or attend an Oregon public or Oregon private school full-time. Section placement at the tournament is based on grade level and ratings. If a student is enrolled in a school with non-traditional grade-level designations, the OSCF will use date of birth to determine the appropriate grade level, based on State of Oregon guidelines for the “typical” entry of a child in kindergarten when he or she is 5 years old on Sept. 1. Note that all other students — regardless of date of birth — are considered by the OSCF to be in whatever grade they are enrolled in at school. For home-schooled students, OSCF will use the student’s ESD-designated grade level. Verification of grade-level status or residency may be required. If there is any question regarding player eligibility, grade level or residency, please address it to the OSCF Board prior to registering for the tournament. OSCF Board decisions are final.
2. Participation:   OSCF championship qualifier tournaments must be held in Oregon, be NWSRS or USCF rated (or both), have a time control of G/25 or longer, be open to all players, and be certified by OSCF. Qualifiers are normally listed in green font on the NWSRS calendar and advertised as qualifiers in advance of the event.  Note that a certain minimum number of games must be played for certain team events to count as a qualifier; contact OSCF or league coordinator for details.
3. Experience:   Games must be played; byes and forfeits do not count. Some tournaments are NWSRS rated only, some are USCF rated only and some are NWSRS/USCF dual rated. Be sure to read the fine print when registering for any tournament so you understand the number of rated games that will be played and which type of rating system will be used.  That said, “rated” games for purposes of developing an “established” rating do not need to be played at OSCF qualifier tournaments; club coaches can submit games for NWSRS rating, and non-qualifier tournament games that are NWSRS rated can count as well.
4. By Invitation:  In order to accommodate players with established ratings whose commitment to chess is demonstrated, but who otherwise have not met the eligibility requirements listed above prior to the cutoff date, the OSCF Board may, at its sole discretion and at the request of a coach, parent, or player, invite additional players to participate in a given year’s State Championship.