January CYCC & OCC Qualifier
January 11, 2026
Plan Ahead
OVERVIEW
CYCC and OCC Qualifiers are a great way for students to get involved in tournament competition and practice their chess skills. These are low-stress events where junior players can be qualified to compete in the Canadian Youth Chess Championships and the Ontario Chess Challenge. There is no better place to start competing than our CFC and CMA rated tournaments!
A. Age
Players are divided into age groups (U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18), so they get to play opponents of roughly their age. We have had participants as young as 5 years-old, competing for kindergarten qualification or simply looking to gain experience! Chess is a game and kids, no matter how young, love playing with other kids!
B. Skill Level
The only skill requirement is to have a working knowledge of the movement of the pieces. Players will be instructed by our experienced floor staff to carry themselves quietly and respectfully. If this is their first time playing with a chess clock, they will also be taught how to use it.
WHEN
Sunday, January 11, 2026
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 January 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
CAPACITY
160 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 Quick Rated and CMA Rated for all Sections
FORMAT
Swiss System
TIME CONTROL
G/20 min + 5 sec increment
ROUND TIMES
Arrival: 10:40 a.m. No check-in on site.
Welcome Address: 10:50 a.m.
– Round 1: 11:00 a.m.
– Round 2: 12:00 p.m.
– Round 3: 1:30 p.m.
– Round 4: 2:30 p.m.
– Round 5: 3:30 p.m.
Closing Ceremony: As soon as Round 5 ends
Lunch break between Rounds 2 and 3
DEFAULT TIME
No default time for showing up late in a game but your clock shall be started.
CFC ID & CFC MEMBERSHIP
– Players must obtain a free CFC ID by no later than January 11, 2026
– 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!
QUALIFICATIONS
– Players with a score of at least 50% (2.5/5.0) will be qualified to compete in the 2026 Canadian Youth Chess Championship
– Players with a score of at least 60% (3.0/5.0) will be qualified to compete in the 2026 Ontario Chess Challenge
PRIZES
– 1st Place: Gold Medal and $100 Coupon for a chess class at Canada’s Chess Youth Club
– 2nd Place: Silver Medal and $50 Coupon for a chess class at Canada’s Chess Youth Club
– 3rd Place: Bronze Medal and $20 Coupon for a chess class at Canada’s Chess Youth Club
In the event of a tie for a medal-winning position, all tied players earn a prize.
To be eligible for the prizes, a player must score at least 2.5/5.0
ENTRY FEE
$60/player
BYES
Maximum of 2 half-point BYEs available during rounds 1-4
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.
PAYMENT METHOD
By eTransfer to [email protected] with the player’s full name mentioned as a note. Deadline: January 9, 2026, 11:59 p.m. No cash on-site.
REFUNDS
– $55 back if you notify us by January 8, at 11:59 p.m.
– $30 if you notify us before Round 1 pairings are posted
– No refund after Round 1 pairings are posted
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
CYCC and OCC Qualifiers are a great way for students to get involved in tournament competition and practice their chess skills. These are low-stress events where junior players can be qualified to compete in the Canadian Youth Chess Championships and the Ontario Chess Challenge . There is no better place to start competing than our CFC and CMA rated tournaments!
A. Age
Players are divided into age groups (U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18), so they get to play opponents of roughly their age. We have had participants as young as 5 years-old, competing for kindergarten qualification or simply looking to gain experience! Chess is a game and kids, no matter how young, love playing with other kids!
B. Skill Level
The only skill requirement is to have a working knowledge of the movement of the pieces. Players will be instructed by our experienced floor staff to carry themselves quietly and respectfully. If this is their first time playing with a chess clock, they will also be taught how to use it.
WHEN
Sunday, January 11, 2026
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 January 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
CAPACITY
160 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 Quick Rated and CMA Rated for all Sections
FORMAT
Swiss System
TIME CONTROL
G/20 min + 5 sec increment
ROUND TIMES
Arrival: 10:40 a.m. No check-in on site.
Welcome Address: 10:50 a.m.
– Round 1: 11:00 a.m.
– Round 2: 12:00 p.m.
– Round 3: 1:30 p.m.
– Round 4: 2:30 p.m.
– Round 5: 3:30 p.m.
Closing Ceremony: As soon as Round 5 ends
Lunch break between Rounds 2 and 3
DEFAULT TIMES
No default time for showing up late in a game but your clock shall be started.
CFC ID & CFC MEMBERSHIP
– Players must obtain a free CFC ID by no later than January 11, 2026
– 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!
QUALIFICATIONS
– Players with a score of at least 50% (2.5/5.0) will be qualified to compete in the 2026 Canadian Youth Chess Championship
– Players with a score of at least 60% (3.0/5.0) will be qualified to compete in the 2026 Ontario Chess Challenge
PRIZES
– 1st Place: Gold Medal and $100 Coupon for a chess class at Canada’s Chess Youth Club
– 2nd Place: Silver Medal and $50 Coupon for a chess class at Canada’s Chess Youth Club
– 3rd Place: Bronze Medal and $20 Coupon for a chess class at Canada’s Chess Youth Club
In the event of a tie for a medal-winning position, all tied players earn a prize.
To be eligible for the prizes, a player must score at least 2.5/5
ENTRY FEE
$60/player
BYES
Maximum of 2 half-point BYEs available during rounds 1-4
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.
PAYMENT METHOD
By eTransfer to [email protected] with the player’s full name mentioned as a note. Deadline: January 9, 2026, 11:59 p.m. No cash on-site.
REFUNDS
- $55 back if you notify us by January 8, 11:59 p.m.
- $30 if you notify us before Round 1 pairings are posted
- No refund after Round 1 pairings are posted
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
