We are looking forward to welcoming players from across Scotland to the Megafinal on Saturday. If you’ve entered, you should have received these details in an email.
Health
Do not attend if you feel unwell. It is very helpful if you let us know in advance if you cannot come.
Hand sanitiser and hand washing facilities will be available. Please encourage your child to use them before and after each game.
Venue
The Dining Hall, Edinburgh Academy Senior School, 42 Henderson Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5BL (Map)
The Academy is approximately a 25 minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley train station.
Lothian Buses service 36 stops outside the Academy. Services 23 and 27 serve Dundas Street and services 24, 29 and 42 serve Kerr Street/Raeburn Place.
Parking restrictions do not apply in the immediate area on a Saturday, but do closer to the City Centre. You are advised to check local signs. Please get in touch if you are a Blue Badge holder.
To get to the Dining Hall, once in the campus, walk around the left side of the Main Building
The Main Building of Edinburgh Academy with the Dining Hall inset
Schedule
Please arrive for 9.30am and check your child’s details. If you find that your child is in the wrong section, please let a member of the LJC team know. The approximate timings for the day are:
Round 1 – 10:00
Round 2 – 11:00
Round 3 – 12:00
Round 4 – 13:30
Round 5 – 14:30
Round 6 – 15:30
Prizegiving should be around 16:30. Times are subject to change, but rounds will not start before the stated time.
If you decide to leave before your child has played in the final round it is important that you let a member of the LJC team know.
Supervision between games
Players are only supervised whilst in the playing hall, therefore parents and careers are responsible for their child between games. As sitting-out space is limited, we would ask that the number of people accompanying a player is kept to a minimum and that you use the outdoor space when your child is not playing.
Ball games are allowed on the tarmaced surface at the front of the school with soft balls only. You may sit on grassy areas, but games are not allowed on the grass. You may like to bring a picnic chair or mat. Dogs, apart from Assistance Dogs, are not allowed on-site.
Tournament Rules
Your child will be involved in six games throughout the day – i.e. it is not a knockout. Clocks will be used in all sections, and players will have 25 minutes each to make all their moves. There will be a demonstration of how to use the clocks before the first round for players not used to them. Scoring is 1 point for a win, ½ point for a draw and 0 points for a loss. Pairings and Standings will be published on chess-results.com and posted around the venue.
Only players and officials are allowed in the playing hall. Mobile phones and other electronic communication devices, such as smart watches, should be switched off during play and preferably left outside the playing hall.
Players will be split into five mixed gender sections:
Under 8s
Under 10s
Under 12s
Under 14s
Under 18s
Depending on final numbers, the Under 8s may be merged with the Under 10s, and the Under 14s with the Under 18s, but prizes and qualification spots will be awarded for the 5 sections above.
Qualification rules
The top boy and top girl in each section will receive trophies with medals for second and third placed boys and girls. These players will qualify for the Gigafinals(*). Please note that ties for third place will all qualify but tiebreak rules will be used to determine trophies and medals.
(*) Note that where there are fewer than four eligible players in a section (for example only 2 girls in the under 8s) then only the top player will receive a qualification place.
All players scoring a minimum of 4 points will qualify for the Gigafinal.
In addition; U-7s, U-9s and U-11s scoring a minimum of 3½ points will qualify for the Gigafinal.
Refreshments
Unfortunately we are not able to offer refreshments. There are cafes, takeaways and supermarkets within a few minutes walk.