National Scholastic Chess Foundation
 


NSCF Grand Prix -- Frequently Asked Questions
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.

How are Grand Prix points awarded?
Players in all sections are eligible for Grand Prix points. Points are awarded to all players scoring more than 0 in a tournament section. The point scoring method gives a higher relative number of points to the better performing players.

Commencing with the 2009-2010 season, competition is by grade categories. The number of points awarded to a given score is based on the strength of the section a player competes in. Regardless of how many different sections a player competes in throughout the tournament season, a single total point score is accumulated for that player, and compared to others in the same grade category.

For a 4-game tournament section, points are awarded according to the following table:

 
Score
Section
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
Championship
1000
707
500
354
250
177
125
88
Reserve
250
177
125
88
63
44
31
22
Elementary
177
125
88
63
44
31
22
16
Primary
88
63
44
31
22
16
11
8
2-5 Novice
44
31
22
16
11
8
6
4
K-1
31
22
16
11
8
6
4
3

To find your Grand Prix point score, find the row for your section and the column for your score in that section. For example, a score of 3 out of 4 in an Elementary section is awarded 125 points. Points are awarded down to section scores of 0.5 regardless of how that score was obtained (byes count).

For tournament sections of more or less than 4 rounds, scores are prorated on a percentage basis. The Grand Prix Tables and Formulas page presents tables for various numbers of rounds, and explains the formulas and rationale usd to construct the tables.

Tell me that again?
Let's try an example. Ashley, a third grader, plays in four tournaments during the Fall.
  • In the first tournament, she plays in the 2-5 Novice section and scores 2 wins and 2 losses for a total score of 2. Examining the above table, we can see she is awarded 11 Grand Prix points.
  • In the second tournament, she scores 2 wins, a draw and a loss for a score of 2.5 and is awarded 16 more points.
  • In the third tournament, having attended some NSCF classes, she outclasses everyone and scores a perfect 4-0 to win the 2-5 Novice section. She is awarded another 44 points.
  • In the fourth tournament, she joins the US Chess Federation and plays in the USCF rated Primary section, where she scores 3-1 and is awarded 44 more points. She now has 11+16+44+44 = 115 Grand Prix points, and finds herself listed among the leaders in the Primary grade competition.
Ashley may also choose to play in other rated sections throughout the season. All Grand Prix points earned in those sections will be added to her final score, but being a third grader she only competes for the Primary grade Grand Prix awards.

How many awards are there?
  1. All winners receive attractive plaques with the winner's name engraved. They will be awarded in 5 categories, as follows:
      K-1 (pre-K thru 1st):Top 5 plus ties
      Primary (grades 2-3): Top 5 plus ties
      Elementary (grades 4-5): Top 5 plus ties
      Middle School (grades 6-8): Top 5 plus ties
      Overall (grades K-12): A special recognition award to the top overall player.
  2. The top player in each category will be recognized as the category Champion, and the top K(or pre-K), 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 9th graders will be recognized as grade Champions, IF that person is not the champion for that category. If the grade champion finished 2nd-5th, this will be instead of the place plaque. For example, if a second grader finishes 2nd in the Primary category there will be a Primary Champion, a Second Grade Champion, and 3rd-5th place awards in the Primary category.
  3. Every player who receives a plaque will get a free entry in the Grand Prix Awards Ceremony tournament, which is usually held the following Fall.
  4. All Champions (category and grade) will get free entries to the 2011 Westchester County Championships, normally held in March of the following year.
  5. The Overall Champion will get free entries to all Youth-Adult Events held in the 2010-2011 season.
What tournaments are on the NSCF Grand Prix circuit?
All tournaments entitled "NSCF Scholastic Grand Prix tournaments" which can be found on the 2009-2010 NSCF Grand Prix schedule at nscfchess.org.. The 2009-10 circuit includes the Fall 2009 schedule and the Winter-Spring 2010 schedules.

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 leader's total point scores posted on the Grand Prix page at nscfchess.org . In aliition, the bulletin boards at selected Grand Prix tournaments will be posted. The standings will list the top 20% or more of the players in each grade category, and the overall top 40 plus ties.

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 Grand Prix tournament, and you are automatically part of the Grand Prix competition. The tournament schedule and registration procedure can be found on the 2009-2010 NSCF Grand Prix schedule at nscfchess.org.




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