OVERVIEW

The Ontario Youth Chess Championship is the prime junior chess competition in Ontario and the official provincial qualifier to the nationals. Each year, dozens of young players compete in the OYCC for a chance to become provincial champions and receive a bursary to represent Ontario in the Canadian Youth Chess Championship.

The 2026 OYCC will be hosted by the Toronto Chess Centre on May 9-10 at the St. Robert Catholic High School. Every Ontario-based player up to 18 years of age is welcome to play in order to gain experience or compete for one of the top spots! Prospective volunteers and sponsors are welcome!

Games will be played with a classical time control, and all participants are required to record their moves. Sections are divided by age and gender category, and results will contribute to players’ regular CFC ratings.

The event is open to players 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 OYCC offers an excellent entry point into regular rated play and a chance to be inspired by others on the same journey.

WHEN

Saturday & Sunday, May 9 – 10, 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 May 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

ELIGIBILITY

Open to all Ontario-based players, born after January 1, 2008. 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 May 9, 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!

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, $500 Bursary towards the 2026 Ontario Youth Chess Championship, AND $500 Coupon for a chess class at Canada’s Chess Youth Club

– 2nd Place: Silver Medal and $200 Coupon for a chess class at Canada’s Chess Youth Club

– 3rd Place: Bronze Medal and $100 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 Canadian Youth Championship Championship. If the winner of any given section decides not to attend the 2026 CYCC, 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 April 30 at 11:59 p.m.): $120

– Late Bird (after April 30): $130

BYES

Maximum of one half-point bye possible during the first three rounds. Multiple bye-requests, or requests for Rounds 4 & 5, will be zero-point. Bye requests must be made in advance.

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: May 7, 2026, 11:59 p.m. No cash on-site.

REFUNDS

• $115 back if you notify us by April 30, at 11:59 p.m.
• $60 back if you notify us by May 7, at 11:59 p.m.
• No refund after May 7

OTHER INFO

Sets, clocks and scoresheets 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