BC Youth Chess Championship Tournament 2025 (BCYCC)
Official BC Chess Federation Youth Championship Tournament (BCYCC)
[Open to all B.C. Juniors (born after: Jan 1, 2007)]
Date: March 22- 23, 2025, Saturday & Sunday
Flyer: 
2025-BC-Youth-Chess-Championship-Flyer.pdf
[Previous Champions 1999-2024]
Chess Equipment sponsor by Penny Chess Club
Skittles in Multi-purpose Room 2 sponsor by Burnaby Junior Chess Club
You MUST have a CFC ID to register in this tournament
Chess Federation of Canada (CFC) requires all BCYCC players to have a valid CFC ID. If you do not have a CFC ID, you can register one for free. To attend BCYCC, you just need a CFC ID and DO NOT need to pay for a CFC membership.
Register for a FREE CFC ID:
1) Check whether you already have a CFC ID here - https://www.chess.ca/en/ratings/. Do not register for another CFC ID if you already have one. If you do not have a CFC ID, proceed to the next step.
2) Following the instructions on this page to register your FREE CFC ID - http://chess2inspire.org/CFC_ID_Free_Registration_Instructions.
Limited 300 seats, reserve your seat now
Qualifier for the 2025 Canadian Youth Chess Championship (CYCC) with $6150 Subsidy
BCYCC is a qualifier tournament for the the CYCC in Surrey, BC - July 8-11, 2025
2025 Canadian Youth Chess Championship (CYCC) Info: https://juniorstomasters.site123.me/2025-canadian-youth-chess-championship
CYCC Qualification Rules:
- Score 50% or more in the BCYCC to qualify for the same section in the CYCC
- Total number of byes cannot exceed 50% of the BCYCC rounds
- Scores including byes or games against different age groups may require CFC approval
BCYCC Play up rules:
If a player wants to play in an age category older than the one you qualify for, you can do so.
BUT: if you qualify in a certain age category to play at the CYCC, that is the only age category that you can play in the CYCC.
IE: if one player who is 9 years old wishes to play in the U14 section at the BCYCC, if s/he qualifies for the CYCC, the only age category that the player can enter at the CYCC is the U14 section.
The same would go for girls that would like to play in the open section for their age group (or in an older age group). if a girl plays in the open section and/or an older age group, and qualifies to go to the CYCC, then the only section in which the player can play in the CYCC is the section that they qualified from at the BCYCC.
CYCC top finishers in each age group will be awarded with travel bursary and officially represent Canada at the World Youth & Cadet Chess Championships:
- World Cadet (U8/U10/U12) Chess Championship - 2025 (Date & Location TBD)
- World Youth (U14/U16/U18) Chess Championship - Sept 30th to Oct 13th, 2025, Durres, Albania
CYCC Play up rules - please refer to the CFC Handbook section 708 here.
BCYCC Organizing Team: Glen Lee, Ron Hui, Jeremy Hui, Jonah Lee, Ryan Lo, Ping Yu, An Yu, Michael Lo, Lara Lo
Tournament Director: Stephen Wright (FIDE International Arbiter)
Volunteers: Ping Yu, An Yu, Ryan Lo, Glen Lee, Ron Hui, Michael Lo, Lara Lo
Tournament Hall Location (free parking):
Bonsor Recreation Complex (Banquet Hall & Active Studio, 2nd floor)
6550 Bonsor Ave, Burnaby, BC V5H 3G4
Skittles/Waiting rooms (accommodates 190 people):
- Bonsor Recreation Complex (Arts Room, 2nd floor, accommodates 80 people)
- Saturday: 9:00am - 6:30pm
- Sunday: 9:00am - 6:30pm
- Bonsor Recreation Complex (Multi-purpose Room 1, accommodates 60 people)
- Saturday: 1:00pm - 6:30pm
- Sunday: 2:30pm - 6:30pm
- Bonsor Recreation Complex (Multi-purpose Room 2, accommodates 50 people)
- Saturday: 1:00pm - 6:30pm
- Sunday: 9:00am - 6:30pm
Please do not wait or stay in the hallways, and make best use of the skittles/waiting rooms.
Sections and Round Time: 12 sections by age and gender (see below for details)
Dates: March 22-23, 2025, Saturday & Sunday
Format for All Sections: U8 / U10 / U12/ U14/ U16 / U18 - 5 rounds Regular Swiss
Rating: CFC rated. CFC ID is required to join this tournament. Register for a FREE CFC ID if you do not already have one - http://chess2inspire.org/CFC_ID_Free_Registration_Instructions.
Registration fee:
- Early Bird - before Feb 23th mid-night $85 (first family member pays full fee, $10 off for 2nd or higher member of the family)
- Regular - ends Mar 21th 2pm, $95 (first family member pays full fee, $10 off for 2nd or higher member of the family)
Refund:
- Cancellation with full refund - 48 hours before event starts (before 9am March 20th), send request with the player's name and section to michael.lo@chess2inspire.org
Prizes:
- Open Sections First Place or tied First Place - title of Champion and name(s) engraved on the section's perpetual trophy
- Girls Sections First Place or tied First Place - title of Champion and name(s) engraved on the perpetual plaque
- Top 5 players in the Open sections and Top 2 players in the Girls sections (after tie break) - financial support towards attending CYCC (guaranteed CYCC subsidy as listed below if more than 210 total entries) + trophy
| Prizes | Computer tie-break on ties Must attend CYCC to claim the CYCC subsidy |
|
| Open | 1st Place | $250 CYCC subsidy + trophy |
| 2nd Place | $150 CYCC subsidy + trophy | |
| 3rd Place | $125 CYCC subsidy + trophy | |
| 4th Place | $75 CYCC subsidy + trophy | |
| 5th Place | $50 CYCC subsidy + trophy | |
| Girls | 1st Place | $250 CYCC subsidy + trophy |
| 2nd Place | $150 CYCC subsidy + trophy |
Tie break (Computer tie-break, no playoff):
- direct encounter (FIDE rule - only valid if all the tied players have met each other),
- individual cumulative score,
- cumulative score of opponents.
Forfeits:
- Forfeits wait time for G90+30 games is 60 minutes after a round starts (i.e. your game will be forfeited if you do not show in 60 minutes after a round starts)
- Forfeits wait time for G50+10 games is 30 minutes after a round starts (i.e. your game will be forfeited if you do not show in 30 minutes after a round starts)
12 Sections - by Age and Gender (may combine if too few players in a section)
| Sections | ||
| Under 8 (Born on or after Jan 1st 2017) | Open | Girls |
| Under 10 (Born on or after Jan 1st 2015) | Open | Girls |
| Under 12 (Born on or after Jan 1st 2013) | Open | Girls |
| Under 14 (Born on or after Jan 1st 2011) | Open | Girls |
| Under 16 (Born on or after Jan 1st 2009) | Open | Girls |
| Under 18 (Born on or after Jan 1st 2007) | Open | Girls |
All Sections Round Time
| U8 / U10 / U12 / U14/ U16 / U18 | |
| Saturday Time Control: G50+10 |
Round 1 - 9:30am |
| Round 2 - 11:45am | |
| Round 3 - 2:30pm | |
| Sunday Time Control: G90+30 |
Round 4 - 9:00am |
| Round 5 - 1:30pm | |
Check in: No check-in required. Please arrive on time before 9:00am. Check the pairing posted online or on-site and make sure that you are paired. If you are not paired, inform the TD or the organizers immediately. Forfeits wait period for G50+10 games is 30 minutes after a round starts (i.e. your game will be forfeited if you do not show in 30 minutes after a round starts). Forfeits wait period for G90+30 games is 60 minutes after a round starts (i.e. your game will be forfeited if you do not show in 60 minutes after a round starts).
Venue - Bonsor Recreation Complex (Banquet Hall & Active Studio, 2nd floor), Burnaby [Free Parking]
[Bonsor Recreation Complex (Banquet Hall, 2nd floor) - 6550 Bonsor Ave, Burnaby, BC V5H 3G4]
Public Transit Planner - 9 minutes walk from the Metrotown Skytrain Station
Onsite Free Parking
Food & Drinks:
- 4 minutes walk to the Metrotown Mall food court
- 14 minutes walk to the Crystal Mall food court
Rules
- Bye request – Maximum 2 requested ½ point byes (last round 0 point bye) at least 1 hour before the round starts
- Forfeits wait time for G90+30 games – 60 minutes grace period before the game is forfeited
- Forfeits wait time for G50+10 games – 30 minutes grace period before the game is forfeited
- Online registration only - Onsite registration is NOT allowed
- Chess notation is required for All sections.
- Chess sets and clocks are provided
- May use player's CFC, FIDE, CMA, NWSRS or foreign rating for pairing on TD's discretion
- Players must inform the TD if s/he is not able to play in any round(s). Player not show up for any round without notice will be forfeited from the tournament, and requires a legitimate reason and TD’s approval to re-enter the tournament
- Player with flu or COVID symptoms is not allowed to enter the tournament hall
- CYCC subsidy subject to CYCC rules
Residency Rule
All participants must reside in B.C. and:
- have resided in B.C. for a total of at least six months in the 12 months prior to the start of the Championship; or
- have resided in B.C. for the three months prior to the start of the Championship.
Nut Free Policy - Food/snack contains nuts or traces of nuts are not allowed and will be disposed. Thank you for helping to keep our children safe.
FAQs
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Go through this section (FAQs) first. If you cannot find an answer here, you are welcome to contact us by email at michael.lo@chess2Inspire.org, we usually reply within 24 hrs.
What is a chess rating?
A chess player's rating is a calculated numerical estimate of his/her strength, based on his/her results in tournament play against other players. It is calculated and maintained by chess federations/organizations (e.g. CFC & CMA in Canada). This is a 'rated' tournament, the organizer will submit results to CFC, which carries out the calculations and publishes the results. If you do not have a rating currently, you will have one after this tournament.
You can check your current rating following the links below:
If I lose a game, do I still play in the next round?
You will play in all of the rounds even if you lose some of your games, so stay and play on.
What is a "bye"? Can I skip one or more of the rounds?
You can request for 'byes' (not playing in one or more rounds). For example, a bye in round 3 means you will not play in round 3. Players must inform the Tournament Director if s/he is not able to play in any round(s). Player not show up for any round without notice will be forfeited from the tournament, and requires a legitimate reason and the Tournament Director’s approval to re-enter the tournament. Check the 'Tournament Rules' section for details.
Do I need a membership to enter the event?
No membership is required to join the tournament.
What is Chess Notation?
Chess notation enables you to record your games for playback later. Chess competitions require move recording at scholastic to championship levels. Here are two tutorials for Algebraic Chess Notation and a score sheet template to practice:
- Video Tutorial for Juniors: https://www.chesskid.com/learn/videos/how-to-keep-score-algebraic-notation
- Text Tutorial: https://blog.chesshouse.com/how-to-read-and-write-algebraic-chess-notation
- Score sheet template: https://new.uschess.org/sites/default/files/wp-thumbnails/2019/10/Scoresheet.pdf
If you are new to recording games, you should practice it even when you are playing online games.
What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
See venue information above.
What can/can't I bring into the tournament hall?
Absolutely no alcohol, nuts and food (including snacks) inside the tournament hall. Bottled drinks (water and juice) are allowed.
What is the refund policy?
Full refund of the entry fee is available 48 hours before the event starts, send request with your name to michael.lo@chess2inspire.org. Refund DOES NOT include your donation to Zeffy (registration platform).
Refund of donation to Zeffy (registration platform) - At the bottom of the Confirmation page, you can optionally donate to Zeffy (default is 15% of the entry fee, please make sure to set it to your desired donation amount). Any donation to Zeffy goes to Zeffy directly. To make changes or refund of your donation, please contact Zeffy via email, chat or phone - https://www.zeffy.com/home/contact.
Can parents stay in the tournament hall?
Parents are allowed to stay and take photos in the first 5 minutes of each round, please be quite and DO NOT talk to any of the players. Parents must leave the tournament hall after the first 5 minutes of each round. Parents of players under 10 must stay in the Skittles/Waiting to pickup your children.
Where can I get food and drink?
See venue information above.
