NO!  All players in grades K-12 are welcome to play.  Though the event is billed as "High School Nationals", all players up to and including 12th graders are welcome and encouraged to compete.  Players are grouped into "Sections" where they compete only with other players in that section.  

Players must be USChess members and have active ID #s.  A one-year or two-year membership is available for purchase (See "Step 1" above)

Players must then also register for the tournament in the section they wish to play.  They may also register for side events and special events as well.

Otherwise, NOTHING is required!  No minimum skill level, no qualifying tournaments or events...  Just sign up and play with others from around the nation!

Registration will open sometime in January/February (usually about 10-12 weeks prior to the tournament).  Registration fees will also be posted at that time.  Historically, entry fees start under $100 per player and increase as the tournament gets closer.

Registration fees will increase closer to the tournament date, so register AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!  The first entry fee increase will likely happen at or near the end of February.  So make sure that your fundraising goals have been met by then!

Players can play in the section for which they are rated*.  New/Unrated players must play and compete in the Unrated section or the Championship section.  The Championship section is where all the best players in the country will play and where all the best teams will be competing for the top prizes.  That section can expect many Master level players.

Players with ratings may "play up" in higher rated sections, and that might be useful if a school group is trying to win team awards in a certain section.  If team players are spread out into various sections, there is less chance to earn a team award.  Team awards are based on the top 4 scores for a team in any give section.

*How does a player get a rating?  Players earn a rating by playing in rated events.  Check the ICCA Tournament Schedule for rated events, but MANY local clubs run small, regular rated events as well.  Don't know where to look?  Email me! Secretary@ILChessCoach.org

**Do players need to have ratings?  No!  An unrated player will, however, only be allowed to play in specific sections.

Yes.  Team awards are based on the Top 4 scores from players on a team in each section.  So if you have 6 players playing in the Unrated Section and 4 of them end the tournament with 3.5 points each, your team score would be 14 (3.5+3.5+3.5+3.5).  Every other team with enough players to qualify as a team in that section will have the same formula applied, and the team with the top score wins that award.

That means, if you want to compete for team awards, it would be wise to try and position as many of your players in that section as possible.  If you need help understanding how best to do this, ask a friend!

The full event schedule will be found on the event website once it's made live.

Side Events will begin on the Thursday of the event weekend.  This includes Blitz and Bughouse tournaments as well as Grandmaster appearances and more.

Opening Ceremonies will be around noon on the Friday of the event.  Rounds usually run Friday 1pm, 6pm; then Saturday 9am, 1:30pm, 6pm; then Sunday 9am and 1:30pm.

Awards Ceremony is usually around Sunday evening 6pm.

So depending on what you want to participate in, you may want to arrive Thursday morning or evening or even Friday morning.  Everyone can plan on being completely finished with events by Sunday evening.

The main tournament is 7 rounds of Swiss-paired games.  Each game is G/90; d10.  So these games can last up to about 4 hours.  Start times are about 5 hours apart played over the course of 3 days (Friday-Saturday-Sunday).  Players must take notation and use a clock, all standard US Chess rules apply.

Since these are very long time controls, it's a good idea to plan for players having lots of free time, especially early in the tournament when games tend to finish earlier in the round.  You can schedule meals together, practices together, or other activities.  However, this is also an opportunity for players to meet and discuss chess with players from all over the country.  Encourage your players to discuss their games with their opponents in the skittles area.  Or encourage them to take advantage of any booths/activities in the event.  Often, Master level players are sitting at tables right next to you just waiting to analyze a game.  Or play one!  The Skittles area is a great place for players to engage in fun, friendly games of chess, blitz, bughouse, or whatever!  Nationals is the biggest chess party ever, with a chess tournament going on around it.  😄

NO!  Nationals is a US Chess National event.  Players are individual members competing against one another for top prizes.  The school program they play with/for may offer more support and organize the arrangements, but it is not necessary!