The Belize Chess Federation is pleased to announce the return of the Belize National Chess Championship Cycle. Following a successful 2023 Cycle, the Belize Chess Federation is committed to providing a platform where the nation's finest chess minds can showcase their skills, compete at the highest level, and vie for the prestigious title of Belize National Chess Champion.
The 2024 Championship Cycle takes heavy inspitation from the World Chess Championship Cycle and will consist of five qualifying tournaments followed by wild card selections for a spot in the Challengers Tournament.
The winner of the Challengers Showdown will the have the opportunity to challenge the reigning Belize Chess Champion - Alfred Awe - to a match for the title of Belize Chess Champion.
Disputes
Although a success, the 2023 Cycle had a few disputes about the rulings. Based of feedback from players and last years event, the BCF has carefully considered different scenarios and all selection criteria and seeding for the Challengers Tournament shall be detailed in this article. The BCF board shall have final say on any disputes that may arise from rules that are unclear.
National Chess Championship Cycle 2024
Path to National Chess Champion
The 2024 Cycle will consist of several qualifying events to select the top 8 players who will compete in the Challengers Tournament 2024.
The winner of the Challengers Tournament will then challenge the 2023 National Chess Champion - Alfred Awe for the title of Belize Chess Champion.
Qualifying Tournaments:
The road to the National Championship begins with a series of qualifying tournaments. Chess players from all over Belize will have the opportunity to showcase their abilities in tournaments held in Stann Creek, Orange Walk, Belize, Cayo, and Belmopan. A final Wild Card Invitational Tournament shall be held to determine the last Qualifier.
Stann Creek Tournament - Saturday, 8th June 2024
Cayo Tournament - Saturday, 29th June 2024
Belize City Tournament - Saturday, July 20th 2024
Belmopan Tournament - Saturday, 31st August 2024
Orange Walk Tournament - TBD
The information for each event will be posted on the belizechess.com website and the "Belize Chess Federation" Facebook page, so make sure to follow them to stay updated.
Challengers Selection Criteria:
This years selection criteria has been modified to include a Wild Card Selection Tournament as well as qualification based on rating.
Note: Any player can enter qualifying events however only Belizean Citizens will be selected for the Challengers Tournament.
The selection process for the Open section of the National Championship is designed to identify the most talented and deserving players. Here's how it works:
1st Place Winners
The top player from each qualifying tournament (a total of 5) will automatically secure a spot in the National Championship.
In the event a previous winner wins another event, the second-place player shall qualify.
Top Championship Points
All players shall accumulate points throughout the events they participate in. The players who accumulate most points across any two tournaments in the grand prix will also earn a place in the championship.
Points shall be awarded as follows: 1st place: 160 points 2nd place: 130 points 3rd place: 110 points 4th place: 90 points
All players are free to participate in all events however only points from their two best events of each player will be counted.
Wild Card Invitational Tournament
An online invitational qualifier will be held to select the Wildcard for the event. The Wild Card tournament will be a double elimination.
The Format
The Online Wildcard Qualifier Invitational is set to be an enthralling contest that will determine the most deserving player for the final spot in the Grand Finale. Here are the key format details:
1. Single Elimination: The tournament will follow a single-elimination format. Every game will be crucial.
2. Best of Three Matches: Each match in the invitational will be decided based on the best of three games. This allows players to showcase their consistency and adaptability during the event.
3. Tiebreaker Blitz Matches: In case a tie occurs after three games, a best-of-one 5+5 blitz match will be played.
4. Time Control: To maintain a competitive balance, each player will be granted 20 minutes for their moves.
5. Convenient Match Scheduling: To accommodate the players' schedules and ensure their best performance, matches will be scheduled at a time that is convenient for both participants.
6. Invitation: The BCF Board will decide on players to Invite. Invitation shall be focused on chess ability, therefore invitation and seeding shall be based on the following criteria: 1. Rating, 2. Championship Points, 3. Chess.com Rating, 4. Qualifying Tournament Placing, 5.District Ranking.
Highest Rating
Highest rated player who has not yet qualified through one of the above methods.
Player must have played in at least one BCF event in the 2024 Cycle.
Seeding
The seeding for the Challengers Tournament shall be as follows:
Qualification Method | Seeding | Tiebreak |
Main Events | 1st - 5th Seed | Number of Championship Points, Head to Head, BCF Rating |
Championship Points | 6th Seed | Head to Head, Rating |
Wild Card Invitational Tournament | 7th Seed | |
Highest Rating | 8th Seed | Championship Points |
The Challengers Tournament:
Once the qualifiers are completed, the top eight players of the open section will battle it out at a the George Price Center for the right to challenge the Belize National Chess Champion 2023 - Alfred Awe.
The format for the Challengers Tournament will be G30 (30 Minute for each player per game) time control with notation.
The tournament will follow a Double Elimination format.
Players will engage in Best of One matches with a time control of G30.
*In the event of a draw, a 5+5 minute blitz tiebreak will be played.
In the Grand Finals, a best-of-one match will be played, if the player coming in from the winners finals loses, a 5+5 Minute game will be played. If this game ends in a draw, the player from the winners finals will be declared the winner.
The Challengers Tournament will be a thrilling and intense double elimination tournament. The double elimination structure guarantees that each player will have multiple opportunities to showcase their skills and fight for victory, even if they face an initial setback. It's a true test of resilience, adaptability, and skill.
The 2024 Belize Chess Championship Match
The title match will be played with the National Chess Champion against the winner of the Challengers Tournament.
The Championship match shall be a best of 5 match. G30 With Notation
The Date, time and location of the match will be determined after the Challengers Tournament.
Tie Break
In the event of a tie, both players will play a 15 minute game to determine the Champion. If this game is drawn, the Championship Match will end in favor of the Current Champion.
Junior National Chess Championship Cycle 2024
Path to National Chess Champion - U15
The 2024 Junior Cycle will consist of several qualifying events to select the top 8 players who will compete for the title of Belize Junior Chess Champion.
Event:
The National Junior Championship shall be a single round robin tournament consisting of 7 rounds. Time control for the event will be G-15.
The player to accumulate the most points will be crowned the Belize Junior Chess Champion 2024.
In the event of a tie, a 5+5 Blitz Match will be played to determine the winner.
Junior Championship Selection Criteria:
The BCF has implemented a few changes to the 2024 Junior Chess Championship. This will make the Junior Championship more inline with the Open Section.
Note: Any player can enter qualifying events however only Belizean Citizens will be selected for the Challengers Tournament.
Note: Player must be 15 years old or younger at the day of the championship.
The selection process for the Junior section of the National Championship is designed to identify the most talented and deserving players. Here's how it works:
1st Place Winners
The top player from each qualifying tournament (a total of 5) will automatically secure a spot in the National Championship.
In the event a previous winner wins another event, the second-place player shall qualify.
Top Championship Points
All players shall accumulate points throughout the events they participate in. The players who accumulate most points across any two tournaments in the grand prix will also earn a place in the championship.
Points shall be awarded as follows: 1st place: 160 points 2nd place: 130 points 3rd place: 110 points 4th place: 90 points
All players are free to participate in all events however only points from their two best events of each player will be counted.
Wild Card Invitational Tournament
An online invitational qualifier will be held to select the Wildcard for the event. The Wild Card tournament will be a double elimination.
The Format
The Online Wildcard Qualifier Invitational is set to be an enthralling contest that will determine the most deserving player for the final spot in the Grand Finale. Here are the key format details:
1. Single Elimination: The tournament will follow a single-elimination format. Every game will be crucial.
2. Best of Three Matches: Each match in the invitational will be decided based on the best of three games. This allows players to showcase their consistency and adaptability during the event.
3. Tiebreaker Blitz Matches: In case a tie occurs after three games, a best-of-one 5 blitz match will be played.
4. Time Control: Each player will be granted 10 minutes for their moves.
5. Convenient Match Scheduling: To accommodate the players' schedules and ensure their best performance, matches will be scheduled at a time that is convenient for both participants.
6. Invitation: The BCF Board will decide on players to Invite. Invitation shall be focused on chess ability, therefore invitation and seeding shall be based on the following criteria: 1. Top 10 Rating, 2. Championship Points, 3. Top chess.com Rating, 4. Qualifying Tournament Placing, 5.District Ranking.
Highest Rating
Highest rated player who has not yet qualified through one of the above methods.
Player must have played in at least one BCF event in the 2024 Cycle.
Seeding
The seeding for the Challengers Tournament shall be as follows:
Qualification Method | Seeding | Tiebreak |
Main Events | 1nd - 5th Seed | Number of Championship Points, Head to Head, BCF Rating |
Championship Points | 6th Seed | Head to Head, Rating |
Wild Card Invitational Tournament | 7th Seed | Head to Head, Rating |
Highest Rating | 8th Seed | Championship Points |
In the event that a Junior Tournament cannot be held, a second wildcard qualification spot will be added.
Cash Prizes and National Chess Champion Trophy:
To make the competition even more enticing, generous cash prizes will be awarded to the winners of the National Championship. The exact prize amounts will be announced closer to the event date.
As with last year, the Belize Chess Federation proudly continues a longstanding tradition set by the Belize National Youth Chess Foundation (BNYCF) - the prestigious traveling trophy. Drawing inspiration from the BNYCF, this esteemed tradition adds an extra layer of significance and honor to the tournament. The traveling trophy is bestowed upon the victors of each year's championship.
This coveted trophy not only celebrates the individual triumphs of the winners but also embodies the spirit of unity and friendly competition within the Belizean chess community. As the trophy traverses from one deserving champion to the next, it not only represents their triumph but also connects them to a lineage of past champions who have left their mark on the rich chess heritage of Belize.
Conclusion:
With the stakes at their highest, the Belize National Chess Championship 2024 promises to be a spectacle of strategic brilliance, nerve-wracking battles, and unforgettable moments that will crown the Belize National Chess Champion in a manner befitting the rich legacy of chess in Belize.
For more information feel free to reach out to us or any of our board members.
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