Rules and Conditions for the Annual Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls
(March 2007)
July 29 – August 3, 2007 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey
1. The tournament will be played during the U.S. Open Championship each year. Starting time of each round will be at 11:00 A.M. The time control will be 90 minutes for the entire game with 30 seconds increment added on per move. This is the approved FIDE time control. Registration will be required at pre-tournament registration.
2. Each state will be allowed one representative. Alternates may be substituted as the official representative no later than June 1. (If there are an odd number of entrants in the tournament, the Chairperson of the Polgar Committee may allow the host state to enter an additional qualified player.) The Chairperson of the Polgar Committee may allow exceptions for cause from the entry deadline of June 1. Should the state affiliate fail to respond to the notice for this tournament, the Chairperson of the Polgar Committee and/or USCF may determine in its sole discretion the candidate from that state. Alternates may be substituted as the official representative no later than June 1.
3. All players must be under the age of 19 as of August 15 of the year in which the tournament is held, and have been enrolled, in a school (up to 12th grade) located in the state they represent. Home schooled students who are under the age of 19 on August 15 of the year in which the tournament is held and who have never attended college on a full time basis prior to June 1 of the year in which the tournament is held, are eligible to represent the state in which they reside. Proof of eligibility will be the responsibility of the players and of the state official certifying the representative and alternate.
Exception: If a player graduates from high school early and already attends college, she may still represent her state if nominated. This is solely the decision of each state. However, that player may not win the scholarship.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Unlike the Denker Tournament of High School Champions, the participants of the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls DO NOT have to be High School students. Any qualifier under the age of 19 (by August 15 of the year in which the tournament is held) is eligible!
4. Players will be required to play in and complete all six rounds of the tournament. Failure to do so, without permission of the Tournament Director, will result in a forfeiture of expense monies.
5. Player will be required to furnish the Tournament Director with a legible and complete score sheet.
6. Players will be required to furnish the Tournament Director an emergency phone number and an e-mail address of a parent/guardian.
7. Players are responsible for their own travel and hotel expenses.
8. Players who complete the tournament will receive an equal amount from the sum of $5,000 in travel stipend, which is provided by the Susan Polgar Foundation.
9. The prize fund, sponsored by the Susan Polgar Foundation and the US Chess Trust, will be $1,250 divided into four scholarship prizes: 1st $500, 2nd $300, 3rd $250, 4th $200. These prizes will be paid to the players directly by the Susan Polgar Foundation and the US Chess Trust, but only upon receipt of proof of enrollment in a college, trade or technical school.
There will also be a $500 Ursula Foster scholarship awarded to the highest finisher who is under the age of 14. This is donated by the family of the late Ursula Foster in her memory. If there are ties then the money will be divided.
10. The winner of the tournament will be crowned the Susan Polgar National Invitational Champion. In case of ties, co-champions will be recognized and each will receive the Champion’s Plaque or Trophy.
11. Texas Tech University agrees to award a four-year academic scholarship to the highest finishing player who has not graduated from high school by August. In the case of ties for these scholarships, tie-breaks used will be:
1. Modified Median
2. Solkoff
3. Cumulative
4. Cumulative of Opposition, in that order.
12. It is the goal of the Polgar Committee to have all 50 states (2 for California and 2 for Texas) and the District of Columbia represented. Consequently, we strongly encourage each state affiliate and the District of Columbia to hold a scholastic championship tournament to determine its girls’ champion. Failing this, rating criteria may be acceptable.
13. A scholastic girls’ champion or the highest rated girls’ scholastic player in a state that has no state affiliate of the USCF should contact the Chairman of the Polgar Committee who is currently:
FM Paul Truong c/o Polgar Chess Center 103-10 Queens Boulevard (Suite 1C) Forest Hills, NY 11375 – Tel: (212) 748-9587 – E-mail: PaulTruong@aol.com
14. The Chairman of the Polgar Committee and its members may elect to award 2 or more wild cards each year for the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls based on very special circumstances and in its sole discretion.
15. Additional Optional Events:
– Susan Polgar National Invitational Blitz Championship for Girls
– Susan Polgar National Invitational Puzzle Solving Contest for Girls
– Susan Polgar National Invitational Chess Training Program for Girls
These events are opened to all participants and alumni of the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls.
16. In addition, the Polgar Committee will award three automatic qualifying spots at the 2009 SuperNationals Chess Championship to the top finishing girls in the open division of the Elementary (K-6), Junior High (K-9) and High School (K-12) Championship sections.
The Polgar Committee will also award automatic qualifying spots to the top finishing girls in each section of the annual Susan Polgar National Open Championship for Girls and the annual Susan Polgar World Open Championship for Girls (must meet age requirement).
17. Contact info:
The Susan Polgar Foundation (www.SusanPolgarFoundation.org) PolgarFoundation@aol.com
Contact: FM Paul Truong
Phone number: 212-748-9587
E-mail: PaulTruong@aol.com
Contact: GM Susan Polgar
Telephone: (718) 897-4600
E-mail: SusanPolgar@aol.com
Thank you for everything you do for young girls in this country!