2026 Toronto Youth Chess Championship
December 5 – 6, 2026
Plan Ahead
OVERVIEW
The Toronto Youth Chess Championship is the premier junior chess competition in Toronto, bringing together the city’s strongest and most ambitious young players for a weekend of exciting over-the-board competition. Each year, players from across Toronto compete for championship titles, trophies and the opportunity to test themselves against the best youth talent in the city. Section winners will receive bursaries to represent Toronto in the provincial youth chess championship.
The 2026 Toronto Youth Chess Championship will be hosted by the Toronto Chess Centre on December 5 – 6 at Stephen Lewis Secondary School. All Toronto-based players up to 18 years of age are welcome to participate, whether they are aiming for a championship title, building tournament experience or taking their next step in competitive chess. 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 designed for young players seeking a structured, high-quality tournament environment. It is an excellent opportunity for experienced competitors to challenge themselves against their peers while also providing a welcoming introduction to classical rated chess for newer tournament players. If you are comfortable recording your moves and playing longer games, the Toronto Youth Chess Championship is a great place to develop your skills, gain valuable competitive experience and become part of Toronto’s thriving youth chess community.
WHEN
Saturday & Sunday, December 5 – 6, 2026
WHERE
Stephen Lewis Secondary School
555 Autumn Hill Blvd,
Thornhill, ON L4J 8X2
ACCESSIBILITY
From the School’s Main Entrance.
Wheelchair Accessible.
PARKING
Free
REGISTRATION
All players must submit this online form by no later than December 3, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to all Greater Toronto Area-based players, born after January 1, 2009. No prior qualification is needed!
GTA Core: a) Toronto (the city itself), b) Peel Region: Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, c) York Region: Aurora, Markham, Vaughan, etc., d) Halton Region: Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills, e) Durham Region: Ajax, Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, Uxbridge, Scugog, Clarington, Brock
GTA Extended Area (Southern Ontario): a) Guelph, b) Hamilton, c) Newmarket, d) Kitchener, e) Niagara, f) London, g) Peterborough, h) Barrie
CAPACITY
240 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 December 5, 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 2027 Canadian Youth Chess Championship
– Players with a score of at least 60% (3.0/5.0) will be qualified to compete in the 2027 Ontario Chess Challenge
PRIZES
– 1st Place: Trophy, $250 Bursary towards the Canadian Youth Chess Championship, AND $200 Coupon for a chess class at Canada’s Chess Youth Club
– 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 2027 Ontario Youth Championship. If the winner of any given section decides not to attend the 2027 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 29 at 11:59 p.m.): $120
– Late Bird (after November 29): $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: December 3, 2026, 11:59 p.m. No cash on-site.
REFUNDS
- $115 back if you notify us by November 29, at 11:59 p.m.
- $60 back if you notify us by December 3, at 11:59 p.m.
- No refund after December 3
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 Toronto Youth Chess Championship is the premier junior chess competition in Toronto, bringing together the city’s strongest and most ambitious young players for a weekend of exciting over-the-board competition. Each year, players from across Toronto compete for championship titles, trophies and the opportunity to test themselves against the best youth talent in the city. Section winners will receive bursaries to represent Toronto in the provincial youth chess championship.
The 2026 Toronto Youth Chess Championship will be hosted by the Toronto Chess Centre on December 5 – 6 at Stephen Lewis Secondary School. All Toronto-based players up to 18 years of age are welcome to participate, whether they are aiming for a championship title, building tournament experience or taking their next step in competitive chess. 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 designed for young players seeking a structured, high-quality tournament environment. It is an excellent opportunity for experienced competitors to challenge themselves against their peers while also providing a welcoming introduction to classical rated chess for newer tournament players. If you are comfortable recording your moves and playing longer games, the Toronto Youth Chess Championship is a great place to develop your skills, gain valuable competitive experience and become part of Toronto’s thriving youth chess community.
WHEN
Saturday & Sunday, December 5 – 6, 2026
WHERE
Stephen Lewis Secondary School
555 Autumn Hill Blvd,
Thornhill, ON L4J 8X2
ACCESSIBILITY
From the School’s Main Entrance.
Wheelchair Accessible.
PARKING
Free
REGISTRATION
All players must submit this online form by no later than December 3, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to all Ontario-based players, born after January 1, 2009. No prior qualification is needed!
CAPACITY
240 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 December 5, 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 2027 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: Trophy, $250 Bursary towards the 2027 Ontario Youth Chess Championship, AND $200 Coupon for a chess class at Canada’s Chess Youth Club
– 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 2027 Ontario Youth Championship Championship. If the winner of any given section decides not to attend the 2027 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 29 at 11:59 p.m.): $120
– Late Bird (after November 29): $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: December 3, 2026, 11:59 p.m. No cash on-site.
REFUNDS
- $115 back if you notify us by November 29, at 11:59 p.m.
- $60 back if you notify us by December 3, at 11:59 p.m.
- No refund after December 3
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
