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Grand Prix Awards
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NSCF Grand Prix --
Frequently Asked Questions |
Last FAQ Update: September 23, 2002 |
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Grand Prix Calendar
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What is the "NSCF Grand Prix"?
The NSCF Grand Prix is an annual contest sponsored by the National Scholastic Chess Foundation.
It rewards highly active and high-scoring tournament players by awarding "Grand Prix points" to the top finishers in NSCF-conducted tournaments.
A similar event has been conducted for many years by various sponsors of United States Chess Federation tournaments.
How are Grand Prix points calculated?
Points are awarded to the trophy and medal winners in each section ( *except the Unrated Beginners section).
This includes the top 5 scorers (plus ties) in each section, and all others scoring 2.5 points or more in a 4-game tournament section. It excludes class trophy winners who have not scored more than 2 points.
The number of Grand Prix points awarded is exactly equal to the score achieved in the tournament,
with one exception: perfect scores are awarded an extra half point bonus.
Thus, a score of 4.0 is awarded 4.5 "GP points".
Tell me that again?
Let’s try an example. Ashley plays in four K/1 sections.
- In the first tournament, (s)he scores 2 points and finishes in a tie for 8th place. He is awarded no GP points, because he was not among the top 5 plus ties.
- By the second tournament, having attended some NSCF classes, he scores 3.0 points and ties for 6th place. He is awarded 3.0 GP points.
- In the third tournament, he finishes second with 3.5 points. He is awarded 3.5 GP points for a total of 6.5 GP points.
- In the fourth tournament he outclasses everyone and scores a perfect 4-0 to win the tournament. He is awarded 4 points plus a .5 point bonus. He now has 11 GP points, and has become the Grand Prix Leader in the K/1 section. Here’s a synopsis:
Name Place Score GP points GP total
Ashley 8 2.0 0 (not listed)
Ashley 6-9 3.0 3.0 3.0
Ashley 2 3.5 3.5 6.5
Ashley 1 4.0 4.5 11.0
How many awards are there?
Awards have been upgraded to attractive plaques with the winner's name engraved.
They will be awarded as follows:
K/1: Top 5 plus ties
Primary: Top 10 plus ties
Elementary: Top 10 plus ties
Reserve: Top 10 plus ties
Championship: Top 5 plus ties (NOTE CHANGE*)
In addition, three private lessons will be awarded to the Champion in each section.
Note: A minimum of 12 points is required to qualify for an award.
What happens if a player moves between sections?
Adjustments are made to the score of a player who wishes to move from one section to another.
In a move to a higher-ranked section, the total from the old section is migrated to the new one,
after making point adjustments to account for the difference in the strength of competition between the sections.
These point adjustments are made for each tournament in which the player had a qualifying score (a "qualifying tournament"),
according to the following chart:
K/1 to Elementary = subtract 0.5
Primary to Elementary = subtract 0
Elementary to Reserve = subtract 0.5
Primary to Reserve = subtract 0.5
Reserve to Championship = subtract 1.0
From these relationships, one can calculate others, such as Primary to Championship = subtract 1.5
Note: All half-point bonus points are excluded when calculating section-switching points.
I definitely need an example of that one.
Sure. It’s easy. Let’s say Ashley decides he wants tougher competition and wants to
compete in Primary sections instead.
In the K/1 section, he earned 11 points across 3 qualifying tournaments.
This included a bonus of .5 points for a perfect score.
Upon moving to the new section, his GP points for that section are calculated as follows:
(3 + 3.5 + 4.0) – (3 x .5) = 9
These 9 points will be added to his GP total for the Primary section.
If he moves back to the K/1 section, the reverse calculation
will be used to adjust points earned in Primary sections.
How often can a player move between sections?
As often as he wants, but he will be awarded only for one section.
To determine which section, the following criteria will be used, in the tie-breaking order listed:
- The section in which the player has had Grand Prix results most often.
- If tied, the section with the highest ratio of Grand Prix results over total tries in that section.
- If still tied, the section in which the player has the highest standing.
- If still tied, the most recent section played in.
What happens if sections are combined?
If two sections of unequal strength are combined, each player's score will be increased when awarding points to the lower section.
For example, if the Championship and Reserve are combined, a player scoring 2.5 points will be awarded 3 Reserve Section Grand Prix points.
Note: A player scoring 3.5 points will be awarded 4 points (no bonus) . A player scoring 4 points will be awarded the usual 4.5 points.
*Note: The Chappaqua 6-12 section will be treated as a Reserve section.
How will players and parents be informed of the standings after each tournament?
As soon as possible after each tournament, GP points will be calculated and the results posted on the NSCF web site (www.nscfchess.org).
In addition, the bulletin boards at Grand Prix tournaments will be posted.
The standings will list the current top 15-25 players plus ties.
Exactly what tournaments are on the NSCF Grand Prix circuit?
All NSCF-sponsored tournaments indicated by an asterisk(*) on the posted "Tournament Schedule" page at
www.nscfchess.org.
This list includes certain Chappaqua tournaments, excludes Hunter, State and National tournaments.
The 2003 circuit includes the Fall 2002 schedule and the Winter-Spring 2003 schedule.
Grand Prix Calendar
Why are the Hunter tournaments excluded?
This NYC tournament draws players from a different community.
If there is a demand for it, a separate NYC "circuit" may be considered for the future.
What if a dispute arises regarding the rules and how they affect the standings?
The NSCF Executive Director reserves the right to unilaterally resolve all disputes
regarding the Grand Prix. As a general guideline, rule changes will not be made in mid-season,
but helpful suggestions will be considered for the future.
How do I sign up?
Simply register for and play in a NSCF tournament, and you are automatically competing in the NSCF Grand Prix! Tournament registration forms are distributed at NSCF schools and events, and may be obtained online at
www.nscfchess.org. Or call the NSCF office: 914-683-5322.
* modified September, 2002
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