2026 Tri-Valley Chess Tournament

New Addition!!  Save the date, Saturday Feb 21st.  More information coming soon!

 

2026 Benjamin Chess Tournament

Date: Saturday, February 07, 2026

Location:
Benjamin Elementary School
6006 Ireland Grove Road
Bloomington, IL 61705

Parking: Carpooling recommended. Parking on the grass is prohibited

Sections, Number of Rounds, and Time Limits:
- Lower Primary (K-1), Upper Primary (2-3), Elementary (4-5): 5 rounds G/30 Delay 5
- Junior High (6-8): 4 rounds G/45 Delay 5

Entry Fee: $25, checks made payable to Benjamin Elementary Chess Club.
Registration by 7:00 PM Thursday, February 05, 2026.

Check-in and all changes are due by 8:30 AM on Saturday. Changes submitted after 8:30 AM will result in a first-round bye.
The first round will begin at 9:00 AM, with subsequent rounds following as quickly as possible.

Eligibility: USCF membership is required for all players except K-3 (JTP acceptable). Grade 4-8: Ensure USCF memberships are valid through Feb 7, 2026.

Team: Trophies for top 3 teams per section.
Individual: Trophies for top 5, 'Biggest Upset,' 'Unrated' in each section.
Grade Level: Top 5 Each Grade.
K-1: All participants receive medals.

***NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK ALLOWED***
Concessions will be available that support Benjamin School.

Food Service: Breakfast Items, Gondolas, Indian Food, Pizza, Samosa, Snacks and Beverages will be available.
For questions or more information, contact Rajkumar Thirupparkadal, Benjamin Chess Club Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also reach me at (309) 531-8642.

 

How do Individual Tie Breaks Work?

Tiebreak Systems Overview

1. Modified Median System

• Definition: Used when players tie with an even score (exactly half of the maximum possible score).
• How it works:
  • For players with even scores: Exclude both the highest- and lowest-scoring opponents’ scores.
  • For players with non-even scores:
    • If tied with a plus score: Disregard only the lowest-scoring opponent’s score.
    • If tied with a minus score: Disregard only the highest-scoring opponent’s score.

2. Solkoff System

• Definition: Similar to the Median system, but no opponents’ scores are discarded. All opponents’ scores are included in the calculation.

3. Cumulative System

• Definition: Adds up the cumulative (running) score for each round.
• How it works:
  • Example: If a player’s results are win, loss, win, draw, loss, the cumulative scores per round would be 1, 1, 2, 2.5, 2.5. The total is 9 (1+1+2+2.5+2.5).
  • If another player’s sequence is 1, 2, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, the total is 10.5 (1+2+2.5+2.5+2.5).
  • The player who scores earlier generally has a higher tiebreak, as they likely faced tougher opposition later.
  • Adjustments:
    • Subtract 1 point for each unplayed win or full-point bye.
    • Subtract 0.5 point for each unplayed draw or half-point bye. 

4. Cumulative of Opposition

• Definition: Calculate the cumulative tiebreak points for each opponent (as above), then sum these values for all opponents.