Halloween Tournament 2025

$45.00

Presented by and fundraiser for Stephenson Elementary PTA

2026 OSCF State Championship Qualifier

Free USCF membership to new and renewing scholastic players!

In-Person Event only

Date and Location

Sunday 11/2/2025 Stephenson Elementary, 2627 SW Stephenson St, Portland, OR 97219

Tournament Runs from 9:00am - 4pm. Please arrive no later than 8:30am and check-in or you may be given a bye in round 1.

Details

The Halloween Tournament is a beginner-friendly chess tournament for players of all ages, with special emphasis on making sure scholastic players have fun. Players are divided into sections based on strength. Each person plays all rounds, regardless of whether they win, lose, or draw their games.

Registration: 100% preregistered by 5:00pm the Friday before the event. No on-site registration. Click here for preregistration list.

Check-In: 8:00-8:30am. Due to our increased tournament participation, we now require Check-In! Players who fail to check-in will be given a Round 1 Bye, so that everyone on-site has a round 1 opponent.

Entry: $45

Ratings: USCF rated (USCF memberships required for all participants. Rose City Chess gives free memberships to all scholastic players. Adult players may add USCF membership to their cart by clicking here).

Equipment: Chess sets, clocks, notation sheets, and pencils all provided.

Format: Players are grouped in sections according to playing strength. Four Sections: Open/U1200/U900/U600. Tournament Director may make slight adjustments to separate siblings, etc. U900 and U600 Sections play five rounds of G/25;+5 (each player gets 25 minutes of thinking time, plus a 5 second bonus after every move). Open and U1200 Sections play four rounds of G/45;+5.

Schedule:

All Sections Check-In 8:00-8:30am.

Player’s meeting 8:45am

U900/600 Section Schedule:

Round 1 9:00am-10:00am

Round 2 10:00am-11:00am

Round 3 11:00am-12:00pm

Lunch Break 12:00-1:00pm

Round 4 1:00pm-2:00pm

Round 5 2:00pm-3:00pm

Awards Following Round 5

Open/U1200 Schedule:

Round 1 9:00am-10:30am

Round 2 10:30am-12:00pm

Lunch Break 12:00pm-12:30pm

Round 3 12:30pm-2:00pm

Round 4 2:00pm-3:30pm

Awards Following Round 4

Prizes: Individual Medal awards for top 3 in each section, along with all plus/even score finishers. Team Plaque Awards for Top 3 Points scored by Co-ed teams (at least one female player) in Open + U1200 Section, Top 3 Points scored by Co-ed teams in U900 section, and Top 3 Points scored by Co-ed teams in U600 sections. Best Costume prizes awarded at end of tournament. Check or Treat prizes given out each round!

Food and Beverage: Stephenson PTA will sell concessions at the event. Pizza lunch is available for preorder.

Sustainability Statement

We put a lot of thought into having awesome SWAG and Awards. We’ve also switched from trophies to medals, award letters, custom ribbons, e-gift cards, and objects that have some practical use other than collecting dust. Participants still get enduring, physical symbols that recognize their achievement. The awards are just a bit easier on the environment!

Presented by and fundraiser for Stephenson Elementary PTA

2026 OSCF State Championship Qualifier

Free USCF membership to new and renewing scholastic players!

In-Person Event only

Date and Location

Sunday 11/2/2025 Stephenson Elementary, 2627 SW Stephenson St, Portland, OR 97219

Tournament Runs from 9:00am - 4pm. Please arrive no later than 8:30am and check-in or you may be given a bye in round 1.

Details

The Halloween Tournament is a beginner-friendly chess tournament for players of all ages, with special emphasis on making sure scholastic players have fun. Players are divided into sections based on strength. Each person plays all rounds, regardless of whether they win, lose, or draw their games.

Registration: 100% preregistered by 5:00pm the Friday before the event. No on-site registration. Click here for preregistration list.

Check-In: 8:00-8:30am. Due to our increased tournament participation, we now require Check-In! Players who fail to check-in will be given a Round 1 Bye, so that everyone on-site has a round 1 opponent.

Entry: $45

Ratings: USCF rated (USCF memberships required for all participants. Rose City Chess gives free memberships to all scholastic players. Adult players may add USCF membership to their cart by clicking here).

Equipment: Chess sets, clocks, notation sheets, and pencils all provided.

Format: Players are grouped in sections according to playing strength. Four Sections: Open/U1200/U900/U600. Tournament Director may make slight adjustments to separate siblings, etc. U900 and U600 Sections play five rounds of G/25;+5 (each player gets 25 minutes of thinking time, plus a 5 second bonus after every move). Open and U1200 Sections play four rounds of G/45;+5.

Schedule:

All Sections Check-In 8:00-8:30am.

Player’s meeting 8:45am

U900/600 Section Schedule:

Round 1 9:00am-10:00am

Round 2 10:00am-11:00am

Round 3 11:00am-12:00pm

Lunch Break 12:00-1:00pm

Round 4 1:00pm-2:00pm

Round 5 2:00pm-3:00pm

Awards Following Round 5

Open/U1200 Schedule:

Round 1 9:00am-10:30am

Round 2 10:30am-12:00pm

Lunch Break 12:00pm-12:30pm

Round 3 12:30pm-2:00pm

Round 4 2:00pm-3:30pm

Awards Following Round 4

Prizes: Individual Medal awards for top 3 in each section, along with all plus/even score finishers. Team Plaque Awards for Top 3 Points scored by Co-ed teams (at least one female player) in Open + U1200 Section, Top 3 Points scored by Co-ed teams in U900 section, and Top 3 Points scored by Co-ed teams in U600 sections. Best Costume prizes awarded at end of tournament. Check or Treat prizes given out each round!

Food and Beverage: Stephenson PTA will sell concessions at the event. Pizza lunch is available for preorder.

Sustainability Statement

We put a lot of thought into having awesome SWAG and Awards. We’ve also switched from trophies to medals, award letters, custom ribbons, e-gift cards, and objects that have some practical use other than collecting dust. Participants still get enduring, physical symbols that recognize their achievement. The awards are just a bit easier on the environment!

Participant Instructions

  • Participant List: TBA

    Schedule:

    9:30-9:45AM: Check-In

    9:50AM: Players’ Meeting

    10:00AM: Round 1

    11:00AM or ASAP: Round 2

    12:00PM or ASAP: Lunch Break

    12:30PM or ASAP: Round 3

    1:30PM or ASAP: Round 4

    2:30PM (approximate): Tournament Complete

    Location: Hillsdale UCC, 6948 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219. The tournament takes place in the fellowship hall downstairs.

    Food and Beverage: Pizza Lunch available for preorder at registration. Scroll down and select as an add-on.

    Ratings: US Chess dual rated. USCF membership given free for new and renewing players. (We will sign them up.) Notation required. Don’t worry if you can’t notate perfectly. Mistakes are okay.

    Equipment: Chess sets, clocks, notation sheets, and pencils all provided.

    Format: Players are separated into groups by rating. Players play all four rounds, regardless of wins or losses. Please let us know ASAP if you intend to withdraw.

    Time Control: G/25;+5