The First City Chess Club is proud to announce the launch of our End of School Year Swiss Championship, a multi-week, USCF-rated tournament designed to bring structured, competitive play to our growing chess community in Leavenworth.
This event marks an important step forward for the club as we continue building a consistent environment for players to learn, compete, and improve over the board.
♟ Tournament Overview
The championship will be conducted as a 3–4 round Swiss tournament, played across multiple weeks during our regular Thursday meetings.
Format Details:
- USCF Rated (Dual Rated: Rapid & Quick)
- Time Control: G/30 (no delay or increment)
- Pairings: One round per week
- Entry Fee: Free
This format allows players to experience tournament play in a manageable structure while still gaining official rated games.
📅 Schedule
- Round 1: Thursday, April 23
- Round 2: Thursday, May 7
- Round 3 (and possibly Round 4): Thursday, May 14
Due to campus scheduling constraints, adjustments may be made to ensure all rounds are completed:
- Rounds 2 and 3 may both be played on May 7, or
- Rounds 3 and 4 may both be played on May 14, depending on available time and facility access.
♜ Why This Tournament Matters
This is more than just a tournament—it represents a shift in the club’s mission.
First City Chess is moving toward:
- Consistent rated competition
- Structured improvement pathways
- A stronger local chess ecosystem
For newer players, this is an opportunity to:
- Establish a USCF rating
- Gain experience in a real tournament setting
- Learn how multi-round events are conducted
For experienced players, it provides:
- Regular competitive games
- A chance to build rating and consistency
- A foundation for preparing for larger regional tournaments
♛ USCF Membership Requirement
All participants must have an active USCF membership.
Players who are not yet members can:
- Coordinate through the club for assistance with registration
- Or Register directly through the US Chess Federation
Our goal is to make the process accessible while continuing to grow the club’s official footprint within the broader chess community.
♚ Looking Ahead
As the KCKCC campus transitions into summer hours, First City Chess may adjust its meeting time, date, or location following the conclusion of this event.
If necessary, the club will transition to online play during the summer months to maintain continuity and engagement.
Additional updates will be provided as details are finalized.
♞ Get Involved
As the club grows, we are actively seeking members interested in supporting tournament operations.
Opportunities include:
- Tournament Directors (TDs)
- Assistant Tournament Directors (ATDs)
The club is willing to sponsor required Safe Play registration for eligible members.
This is an excellent opportunity for those who want to contribute to the long-term development of competitive chess in the area.
♟ Register Now
Players can register and view full tournament details here:
👉 https://www.kingregistration.com/event/FC3-EoY-Champ2026
♜ Join the First City Chess Community
We meet most Thursdays from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at:
KCKCC Pioneer Career Campus (Room 146)
All players are welcome—scholastic, casual, and competitive.
♟ Final Thoughts
The End of School Year Swiss Championship is a foundational event for First City Chess.
It represents not just a tournament, but a commitment to:
- building stronger players
- creating consistent competition
- and growing a lasting chess culture in the First City
We look forward to seeing you at the board.