Why did I create this tournament 5 years ago?

I have always believed making one of these lists is something to be celebrated...thus, I created this tournament to do so 5 years ago. I remember growing up and seeing these USCF Top 100 lists and thinking to myself, "Wow! I want to make/be on these lists. This means I would be in the Top 100 players in the USA for my age and be among the best!" It became a goal of mine for most of my junior playing days.

To give these players an additional honor, I created scholarship prizes to award for the top finishers in each of these tournaments. Finally, I wish to extend another offer as my way of saying, "Congratulations to you for achieving something many wish to achieve but is difficult." If your child registers for the National Junior Chess Congress as well as this USCF Top 100 Lists Tournament, I will return 100% of this USCF Top 100 Lists Tournament, entry fee upon completion of their 5th round of the Congress on Sunday (max of $50/player). However, if the player drops out, takes a last round bye, or for any other reason does not complete all five rounds of the National Junior Chess Congress, then this offer of this refund becomes null and void.

Format:

Eligibility: If your child has achieved a rating that placed(s) him/her in a top 100 List for their age and then his/her name appears/published by the USCF onto this Top 100 List, (By Age or Women and Girls By Age), he/she is eligible to register and compete.

Qualification Lists:

By Age

Women and Girls By Age

- All Online Lists as well as the Blitz, and Quick lists do not qualify. Next, As long as your child was on one of the above 2 lists in any month between June 1, 2022 and June 1, 2024, he/she qualifies. Upon registration, you will be asked to write in the list you were/are on. We will confirm and add you to the Advanced Entries once it is confirmed.

- Age Determination: If you are between the ages of 5-20 as of January 1, 2024, this qualifies you for our age requirement.

- Grouping of Players: All players will be listed from highest USCF rating to lowest and then placed in groups of 10. The top 10 highest rated players will placed in Group 1, the next 10 highest rated players will be placed in Group 2, etc. Rating determination will be as of July 9, 2024. Groups are formed on Wednesday, July 10. Ex: 34 students register. We will have 2 groups of 10 and 1 group of 14.

- Rounds & Round Times: 4 Round Swiss System in Each Group. Thursday: 10am, 2pm Friday: 10am, 2pm

- Time Control: G/75, increment 30 seconds/move.

- Entry Fee: $50 before May 10, $60 from May 11-June 30, $75 on July 1 or after. No registrations after midnight on Tuesday July 9.

- Membership: USCF Rated; USCF Membership Required

Scholarship Awards:

Group 1:	1st Place - $300	2nd Place - $150
Group 2:	1st Place - $225	2nd Place - $100
Group 3:	1st Place - $150	2nd Place - $75

- Scholarship Awards: If there are ties, the winner(s) will be decided by tiebreaks (listed in the National Junior Chess Congress tournament page). The money will be awarded on site to each winner and must be put into a Charles Schwab 529 College Savings Plan account. All money, including investment gains (which grow tax free), can then be withdrawn at age 18 and then be used only for college expenses. The application for this account will be handed to parent of winning player as well as the check made payable to "Schwab 529 Plan" for that player. The parent becomes the custodian for that account with the child listed as the beneficiary.