Special Appearance

GM Susan Polgar

GM Susan Polgar

Exclusive Events with GM Susan Polgar

Saturday: 9:30-10:30 AM – Parents + Coaches Seminar, 11:30-12:30 PM – SPFNO Girls Workshop, 1:30-2:30 PM – GM Susan Polgar Book Sale + Signing!

Sunday: 1-4 PM – GM Susan Polgar Simul!

Honored Guest

FM Megan Lee

FM Megan Lee

Appearance by FM Megan Lee!

Saturday: 11:30-12:30 PM – SPFNO Girls Workshop, 2:30-3:30 PM – Game Analysis, 3:30-4:30 PM – All-Comers Blitz!

SPFNO for Girls & Boys

The prestigious annual Susan Polgar National Open Championship for Girls and Boys (SPFNO) was created in 2006 and is sponsored by the Susan Polgar Foundation (SPF) to give more opportunities to young chess players in the United States.

Prizes include over $100,000 in Scholarships to Webster UniversityThe top-scoring player in each 2-day Championship section (Girls sections only) in the SPFNO will earn qualification for the prominent Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls.

19th Susan Polgar Foundation National Open for Girls and Boys

October 26-27, 2024

Venue

  • Hilton Bellevue: 300 112th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98004.  See location in Google Maps.
  • Phone: 425.455.1300, request the Washington Chess Federation room block.  Group Code: 905.
  • For online hotel reservations, use Booking link.
  • Cut-off date for discounted hotel reservations is October 4, 2024.

Parking

  • Complimentary parking is available in the Hilton Bellevue parking lot for all tournament participants, family members, and guests.

Registration

Please register online at: https://chessreg.com/

Event Guide

Shared google spreadsheet

WhatsApp Channel

For pairings + important updates: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KLE6c6zWc68CH8FQn6Pmme

Procedure & Protocols

Pairings will be posted on ChessReg.com and near the playing hall before each round. Face masks are optional. If interested, please bring your own mask.

Contact Us

Josh Sinanan
Chief Organizer, WCF President
Email: WashingtonChessFederation@gmail.com, Cell: 206.769.3757

Jacob Mayer
Chief Tournament Director
Email: Jacob.MayerChess@gmail.com, Cell: 206.697.5625

Ben Radin
Registration Coordinator
Email: Ben@ChessReg.com

Tournament and Side Event Information

Time Controls, Round Times, Entry Fees, and Event Details!

  • 2-DAY CHAMPIONSHIP SECTIONS

    K-5 Open                         K-5 Girls

    K-8 Open                         K-8 Girls

    K-12 Open                       K-12 Girls

    FORMAT: A five-round Swiss in six sections, as shown above.
    TIME CONTROL: G/60; +30.  Game in 60 minutes with a 30-second increment.
    RATING: Dual NWSRS and US Chess Rated.  K-12 sections also FIDE rated.
    ROUND TIMES: Saturday 10/26 @ 10AM & 1:30PM.  Sunday 10/27 @ 10AM, 1:30PM, 5PM.  Awards ~ Sun. 8:30PM.
    PRIZES: Trophies awarded to the top-scoring individuals in each section.  The highest-finishing high school player in the K-12 Girls and K-12 Open 2-day Championship Sections win scholarships to Webster University, each valued at over $50,000!
    WA State Elementary Qualifier!
    ENTRY FEE: $85 by 10/3, +$15 10/4-10/18, +$35 10/19 or after.

  • 1-DAY SCHOLASTIC SECTIONS (Sat-only)

    K-1 U700                         K-3 Open

    2-3 U700                         4-6 Open

    4-6 U700                         7-12 Open

    FORMAT: A five-round Swiss in six sections, as shown above.
    TIME CONTROL: G/25; +5. Game in 25 minutes with a 5-second increment.
    RATING: NWSRS rated.  Open sections also US Chess rated.
    ROUND TIMES: Saturday 10/26 @ 9:00AM, 10:45AM, 12:15PM, 1:30PM, 2:45PM.  Awards ~ 4:30PM.
    PRIZES: Trophies awarded to the top-scoring individuals in each section.  Medals for first-time players who do not earn a trophy.
    WA State Elementary Qualifier!
    ENTRY FEE: $50 by 10/3, +$15 10/4-10/18, +$35 10/19 or after.

  • ALL SECTIONS

    Open to all students in grades K-12.  Grade is based on 2024-2025 school year.  Registration and payment deadline Friday Oct 25 @ 5PM at chessreg.com.  On-site registration available for side events only.  Pay by Zelle (ID: washingtonchessfederation@gmail.com), Venmo (ID: @WAChess), SettleKing, cash, or check made payable to Washington Chess Federation.  Trophies for top-scoring individuals and teams.  Higher of October 2024 US Chess or current NWSRS rating will be used to determine section and pairings.

  • US Chess Membership

    US Chess membership required for the 2-day Championship Sections, the 1-day Scholastic Open Sections (K-3 Open, 4-6 Open & 7-12 Open), and for the SPFNO Blitz Championship.
    Join or renew your US Chess membership here.

  • Parents & Coaches Seminar

    Sat, 10/26 @ 9:30-10:30AM.
    Led by GM Susan Polgar and WCF President Josh Sinanan.
    Description: A 1-hr seminar for parents and coaches that focuses on how best to guide children on their chess journey.  Ask questions and hear tips from Susan Polgar, who is herself a chess parent and former coach of the successful Webster University Chess Team.
    Entry Fee: Free!

  • Gabby Face Painting

    Sat, 10/26 @ 11AM-3PM.
    Description: Local face painter Gabby Carrillo will be on site for a few hours offering her fantastic face painting services to anyone who is interested!
    Limit one face paint per person. Gabby will be located nearby the parent waiting area. Be sure to check out this talented artist at work, and perhaps get your face painted too!

    Entry Fee: Free!

  • SPFNO Girls Workshop

    Sat, 10/26 @ 11:30-12:30PM.
    Description: Join Susan Polgar, Megan Lee, and local chess leaders for a special 1-hr workshop that focuses on empowering girls through chess. Learn how Susan Polgar broke through gender barriers to become the first woman to earn the Grandmaster title!
    Entry Fee: Free!

  • Susan Polgar Book Sale & Signing

    Sat, 10/26 @ 1:30-2:30PM.
    Description: A book sale & signing by GM Susan Polgar.  Get your exclusive autographed copy of “Learn Chess The Right Way”, Vols. 1-5, and “A World Champion’s Guide to Chess”!  Purchase 3 books or more to receive a complimentary copy of the newly released bestseller May The Best Player Win, by Kyla Zhao.

  • FM Megan Lee Game Analysis

    Sat, 10/26 @ 2:30-3:30PM.
    Description: Have your game reviewed by FIDE Master and two-time WA State Champion Megan Lee!  Learn valuable skills and strategies from one of Washington State’s top players!
    Entry Fee: Free!

  • All-Comers Blitz with FM Megan Lee!

    Sat, 10/26 @ 3:30-4:30PM.
    Description:  Challenge FM Megan Lee to a game of blitz chess!
    Entry Fee: Free!

  • SPFNO Puzzle Solving Competition

    Sat, 10/26 @ 5:30-6PM.
    Format: Solve 20 chess puzzles in 30 minutes.  Write solutions on paper.  Evaluation based on accuracy, speed, and completeness.  One solution per puzzle only, entire move sequence for both sides required for full credit.  One section.
    Entry Fee: $25 by 10/18, $40 after.  On-site registration: 4:30-5:15PM.  No memberships required.
    Prizes: Trophies awarded to Top 5 1000+ and Top 5 U1000 contestants.  Ties broken by time used to complete puzzles.

  • SPFNO Blitz Championship

    Sat, 10/26 @ 6:30-9PM.
    Format: A 2-section, 8-round single Swiss in two sections: K-5 & 6-12.  US Chess Blitz rated; US Chess membership required.
    Time Control: G/5; d0.
    Entry Fee: $25 by 10/18, $40 after.
    On-site registration: 5:30-6:15PM.  First round at 6:30PM, rounds approximately every 15 minutes thereafter.
    Rating: Highest of Oct. 2024 US Chess Regular rating, US Chess Blitz rating, and current NWSRS rating used to determine pairings and prizes.
    Prizes: Trophies awarded to Top 5 players in each section.

  • Special Discount!

    • Bundle Puzzle and Blitz side events to receive a $10 discount.
  • GM Susan Polgar Simul

    Sun, 10/27 @ 1-4PM.
    Description:  GM Susan Polgar will play up to 20 opponents simultaneously.
    GM Polgar plays white on all boards.  Open to all ages and players rated <2000!
    Entry Fee: $60 by 10/18, $80 after.
    Prizes: A medal will be awarded to any player who scores a win or a draw against GM Susan Polgar!  Games still going at 4pm will be adjudicated.