OVERVIEW

The TCC Youth Grand Prix is a six-tournament series designed to bring together Canada’s strongest young chess players in a competitive and motivating environment. The series will serve as a platform for rising talents to compete head-to-head under rigorous conditions and strive toward international standards.

Each event is a rapid Swiss tournament, and players will collect system points based on their performance. The best 4 results from each player’s events will count toward the final standings. The overall winner of the Grand Prix earns a full sponsorship to the Kavala International Open Chess Tournament 2026, held in Greece in late July–early August, one of Europe’s most prestigious nine-round open tournaments, where top performers have the chance to compete for IM/GM norms and other international titles.

This series is not a CYCC or OCC qualifier, but rather an elite competition aimed at preparing Canada’s youth for international success.

ELIGIBILITY

• Age: Open to players 20 years old or younger (born in 2006 or after)
• Rating: Minimum of 1700 CFC (regular or active) or 1600 FIDE (standard, rapid, or blitz)
• Critical Date: Ratings will be checked based on CFC’s Thursday, November 13 update

WHEN

Saturday, November 15, 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.

FORMAT & RULES

• System: Swiss Pairing
• Time Control: G/20 min + 5 sec increment
• Rounds: 5 rounds per event
• Byes: Maximum 1 half-point bye available in rounds 1–4
• Ratings: All events are CFC and FIDE rated
• Sections: One unified section

GRAND PRIX POINTS & TIE BREAKS

• Players earn Grand Prix points based on placement in each event
• Best 4 results for each player will count for final standings
• Point-Awarding System: TBA
• Tie-break system: TBA

CAPACITY

60 Players

ROUND TIMES

Arrival: 1:40 p.m. No check-in on site.

Welcome Address: 1:50 p.m.

– Round 1: 2:00 p.m.
– Round 2: 3:00 p.m.
– Round 3: 4:00 p.m.
– Round 4: 5:30 p.m.
– Round 5: 6:30 p.m.

Closing Ceremony: As soon as Round 5 ends

Break between Rounds 3 and 4

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 November 15, 2025

– A paid CFC Membership is not required

PRIZES

A. Grand Prix Champion

• Full sponsorship to represent the TCC at the Kavala International Open 2026
• Free round-trip flight to Greece
• Free hotel accommodation for 8 nights
• Free entry fee

B. Per Event Prizes

• Gold Medal – 1st Place
• Silver Medal – 2nd Place
• Bronze Medal – 3rd Place

ENTRY FEE

$60/player

IMs receive free entry if they register by November 1 (two weeks prior to the event)

BYES

Maximum of 1 half-point BYE available during rounds 1-4

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

• $55 back if you notify us by November 12, 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 (recording is optional) will be provided. Complimentary access to public wi-fi.​

CONTACT

For questions, concerns, and withdrawals email:

[email protected]

ORGANIZERS

Toronto Chess Centre – Alex Ferreira, Mark Plotkin, Panagiotis Tsialas