2025 Toronto Youth Chess Championship
November 15-16, 2025
Plan Ahead
OVERVIEW
The 2025 Toronto Youth Chess Championship (TYCC) is a CFC-rated tournament for players under 18, returning this year after a multi-year hiatus. This is a serious, competitive event designed for youth who are comfortable with standard tournament conditions, including the use of notation and slower time controls.
Games will be played with a classical time control, and all participants are required to record their moves. Sections are divided by age category, and results will contribute to players’ regular CFC ratings. The TYCC also serves as an official qualifier for the Canadian Youth Chess Championship (CYCC), offering a pathway to national-level competition.
The event is open to players from across the Greater Toronto Area who are looking to compete in a structured, high-quality tournament setting. It’s an ideal opportunity for young chess players who are serious about their development and competitive progress. It is also well-suited for newer players who are seeking their first serious tournament experience. If you are somewhat comfortable with recording your moves and playing longer games, the TYCC offers an excellent entry point into regular rated play and a chance to be inspired by others on the same journey.
WHEN
Saturday & Sunday, November 15 – 16, 2025
WHERE
St. Robert Catholic High School
8101 Leslie St,
Thornhill, ON L3T 7P4
ACCESSIBILITY
From the School’s Main Entrance.
Wheelchair Accessible.
PARKING
Free
REGISTRATION
All players must submit this online form by no later than November 13, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to all Greater Toronto Area-based players, born after January 1, 2007. No prior qualification is needed!
CAPACITY
220 Players
SECTIONS
U8 Open / U8 Girls
U10 Open / U10 Girls
U12 Open / U12 Girls
U14 Open / U14 Girls
U16 Open / U16 Girls
U18 Open / U18 Girls
Sections may be combined, if required.
RATING
CFC Regular Rated
FORMAT
Swiss System
TIME CONTROL
G/45 min + 30 sec increment
ROUND TIMES
Arrival: 10:30 a.m. No check-in on site.
Welcome Remarks: 10:40 a.m.
Saturday
– Round 1: 11:00 a.m.
– Round 2: 2:00 p.m.
– Round 3: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday
– Round 4: 10:00 a.m.
– Round 5: 1:00 p.m.
*Play-offs (if needed): 2:45 – 3:30 pm
Closing Ceremony: As soon as Round 5 and play-offs end.
FORFEIT TIME
The default time for showing up late is set at 30 minutes since the starting of the clock, at which point the missing player loses by forfeit.
RECORDING OF MOVES
Mandatory throughout the game (even in time trouble). All players, including the young ones, should at least attempt to record their moves, regardless of mistakes. The simplest way to do that is by writing the coordinates of the square where the piece was before it moved and the coordinates of the square where the piece moved.
CFC ID & CFC MEMBERSHIP
– Players must obtain a free CFC ID by no later than November 15, 2025
– A paid CFC Membership is not required
First-timers are welcome to reach out to us for instructions on how to generate a CFC ID, which will allow their kids to obtain their very first official chess rating!
QUALIFICATION
– Players with a score of at least 50% (2.5/5.0) will be qualified to compete in the 2026 Canadian Youth Chess Championship
PRIZES
– 1st Place: Trophy, $250 Bursary towards the Ontario Youth Chess Championship, AND $200 Coupon for a CCYC class
– 2nd Place: Silver Medal and $100 Coupon for a chess class at Canada’s Chess Youth Club
– 3rd Place: Bronze Medal and $50 Coupon for a chess class at Canada’s Chess Youth Club
a) In the event of a tie, each prize is won by just one player: the player who ranked the highest based on the tie-breaking criteria (see below)
b) If the Open and the Girls Section in an age group are combined, the top three finishers of both sections (top three in the Open Section and top three among Girls) will receive the respective prizes.
c) If a player is eligible for more than one prize, only the highest one will be preferred to the exclusion of the other.
d) To be eligible for a bursary, a player must score at least 2.5/5.0
e) The bursary amount will be offered to the winner of each section for attendance of the 2026 Ontario Youth Championship Championship. If the winner of any given section decides not to attend the 2026 OYCC, their bursary shall be offered to the highest-placed finisher in such section who does attend the provincials and meets the eligibility requirement of a minimum score of 2.5/5.0.
TIE BREAKS
1 – Direct Encounter / Head to Head
2 – Progressive / Cumulative
3 – Number of Wins
4 – Blitz tie-breaker between top 2 finishers, if needed
ENTRY FEE
– Early Bird (by November 5 at 11:59 p.m.): $120
– Late Bird (after November 5): $130
BYES
Maximum of 1 half-point BYE available during rounds 1-2. Zero-point BYEs after beyond that.
PLAY-UPS
You can play up at no additional cost. For example, if you’re 13 years-old, you can play up in the U16 or U18 Section.
ANTI-CHEATING
As organizers, we are committed to upholding fair play practices. To prevent any actual cheating or the appearance thereof, the following anti-cheating measures will be strictly enforced:
– No parents/patrons/coaches will be allowed anywhere near the players after the first couple of minutes of each round. Should you need any accommodation, please talk to the Chief Arbiter, Alex Ferreira.
– Parents, patrons and coaches are strongly discouraged from using the players’ washrooms. We will open a separate set of washrooms for them. Please contact the Chief Arbiter if you need any accommodation.
– No electronic devices, especially cellphones, will be allowed into the playing hall, except in compliance with FIDE rules. Should you need any accommodations please contact the Chief Arbiter.
PAYMENT METHOD
By eTransfer to [email protected] with the player’s full name mentioned as a note. Deadline: November 13, 2025, 11:59 p.m. No cash on-site.
REFUNDS
– $115 back if you notify us by November 5, at 11:59 p.m.
– $60 back if you notify us by November 13, at 11:59 p.m.
– Zero refund after November 13
OTHER INFO
Sets, clocks and scoresheets will be provided. Complimentary access to public wi-fi.
CONTACT
For questions, concerns, and withdrawals email:
ORGANIZERS
Toronto Chess Centre – Alex Ferreira, Mark Plotkin, Panagiotis Tsialas
OVERVIEW
The 2025 Toronto Youth Chess Championship (TYCC) is a CFC-rated tournament for players under 18, returning this year after a multi-year hiatus. This is a serious, competitive event designed for youth who are comfortable with standard tournament conditions, including the use of notation and slower time controls.
Games will be played with a classical time control, and all participants are required to record their moves. Sections are divided by age category, and results will contribute to players’ regular CFC ratings. The TYCC also serves as an official qualifier for the Canadian Youth Chess Championship (CYCC), offering a pathway to national-level competition.
The event is open to players from across the Greater Toronto Area who are looking to compete in a structured, high-quality tournament setting. It’s an ideal opportunity for young chess players who are serious about their development and competitive progress. It is also well-suited for newer players who are seeking their first serious tournament experience. If you are somewhat comfortable with recording your moves and playing longer games, the TYCC offers an excellent entry point into regular rated play and a chance to be inspired by others on the same journey.
WHEN
Saturday & Sunday, November 15 – 16, 2025
WHERE
St. Robert Catholic High School
8101 Leslie St,
Thornhill, ON L3T 7P4
ACCESSIBILITY
From the School’s Main Entrance.
Wheelchair Accessible.
PARKING
Free
REGISTRATION
All players must submit this online form by no later than November 13, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to all Greater Toronto Area-based players, born after January 1, 2007. No prior qualification is needed!
CAPACITY
220 Players
SECTIONS
U8 Open / U8 Girls
U10 Open / U10 Girls
U12 Open / U12 Girls
U14 Open / U14 Girls
U16 Open / U16 Girls
U18 Open / U18 Girls
Sections may be combined, if required.
RATING
CFC Regular Rated
FORMAT
Swiss System
TIME CONTROL
G/45 min + 30 sec increment
ROUND TIMES
Arrival: 10:30 a.m. No check-in on site.
Welcome Remarks: 10:40 a.m.
Saturday
– Round 1: 11:00 a.m.
– Round 2: 2:00 p.m.
– Round 3: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday
– Round 4: 10:00 a.m.
– Round 5: 1:00 p.m.
*Play-offs (if needed): 2:45 – 3:30 pm
Closing Ceremony: As soon as Round 5 and play-offs end.
FORFEIT TIME
The default time for showing up late is set at 30 minutes since the starting of the clock, at which point the missing player loses by forfeit.
RECORDING OF MOVES
Mandatory throughout the game (even in time trouble). All players, including the young ones, should at least attempt to record their moves, regardless of mistakes. The simplest way to do that is by writing the coordinates of the square where the piece was before it moved and the coordinates of the square where the piece moved.
CFC ID & CFC MEMBERSHIP
– Players must obtain a free CFC ID by no later than November 15, 2025
– A paid CFC Membership is not required
First-timers are welcome to reach out to us for instructions on how to generate a CFC ID, which will allow their kids to obtain their very first official chess rating!
QUALIFICATION
– Players with a score of at least 50% (2.5/5.0) will be qualified to compete in the 2026 Canadian Youth Chess Championship
PRIZES
– 1st Place: Trophy, $250 Bursary towards the Ontario Youth Chess Championship, AND $200 Coupon for a CCYC class
– 2nd Place: Silver Medal and $100 Coupon for a chess class at Canada’s Chess Youth Club
– 3rd Place: Bronze Medal and $50 Coupon for a chess class at Canada’s Chess Youth Club
a) In the event of a tie, each prize is won by just one player: the player who ranked the highest based on the tie-breaking criteria (see below)
b) If the Open and the Girls Section in an age group are combined, the top three finishers of both sections (top three in the Open Section and top three among Girls) will receive the respective prizes.
c) If a player is eligible for more than one prize, only the highest one will be preferred to the exclusion of the other.
d) To be eligible for a bursary, a player must score at least 2.5/5.0
e) The bursary amount will be offered to the winner of each section for attendance of the 2026 Ontario Youth Championship Championship. If the winner of any given section decides not to attend the 2026 OYCC, their bursary shall be offered to the highest-placed finisher in such section who does attend the provincials and meets the eligibility requirement of a minimum score of 2.5/5.0.
TIE BREAKS
1 – Direct Encounter / Head to Head
2 – Progressive / Cumulative
3 – Number of Wins
4 – Blitz tie-breaker between top 2 finishers, if needed
ENTRY FEE
– Early Bird (by November 5 at 11:59 p.m.): $120
– Late Bird (after November 5): $130
BYES
Maximum of 1 half-point BYE available during rounds 1-2. Zero-point BYEs after beyond that.
PLAY-UPS
You can play up at no additional cost. For example, if you’re 13 years-old, you can play up in the U16 or U18 Section.
ANTI-CHEATING
As organizers, we are committed to upholding fair play practices. To prevent any actual cheating or the appearance thereof, the following anti-cheating measures will be strictly enforced:
– No parents/patrons/coaches will be allowed anywhere near the players after the first couple of minutes of each round. Should you need any accommodation, please talk to the Chief Arbiter, Alex Ferreira.
– Parents, patrons and coaches are strongly discouraged from using the players’ washrooms. We will open a separate set of washrooms for them. Please contact the Chief Arbiter if you need any accommodation.
– No electronic devices, especially cellphones, will be allowed into the playing hall, except in compliance with FIDE rules. Should you need any accommodations please contact the Chief Arbiter.
PAYMENT METHOD
By eTransfer to [email protected] with the player’s full name mentioned as a note. Deadline: November 13, 2025, 11:59 p.m. No cash on-site.
REFUNDS
- $115 back if you notify us by November 5, at 11:59 p.m.
- $60 back if you notify us by November 13, at 11:59 p.m.
- Zero refund after November 13
OTHER INFO
Sets, clocks and scoresheets will be provided. Complimentary access to public wi-fi.
CONTACT
For questions, concerns, and withdrawals email:
ORGANIZERS
Toronto Chess Centre – Alex Ferreira, Mark Plotkin, Panagiotis Tsialas
