Congratulations! If you are reading this you may have qualified for the Sussex Megafinal. This page is intended to give you some idea of what to expect. If you do not find the information you need, please let us know.

The aim of the day is simply to enjoy a great day's chess against the best in the county and make some new friends! Good luck!

Age-Groups
The competition is organised into age groups: Under 7, Under 8, Under 9, Under 10, Under 11, Under 12, Under 13, Under 14, Under 15, Under 16, Under 17, and Under 18.

For 2010, your age will be based on how old you were at midnight on 31st August 2009. So, for example, children born between 1st September 2000 - 31st August 2001 (usually in school year 4) will have been age 8 on 31st August and so will be in the Under 9 category.

Scoring
You will score:

• 1 point if you win
• 0.5 point if you draw
• 0 points if you lose

Sometimes there may be an uneven number of players so one player does not have a match. This is called a 'bye' and you will score 1 point. You will probably have the chance to be paired with a player from another section for a 'friendly'.

Chess Clocks

Some games, especially in the older age groups, may be played using chess clocks which measure the time taken by each player. Don't worry if you have not used one before; they are quite simple to use and will be explained at the start of the competition.

To get a feel for the scale of the event, have a look at the report and pictures from last years Megafinal HERE.

At your school chess club, you probably played one or two rounds each week. At the Megafinal you will play all 6 rounds in a day and you will know by the time you go home if you have qualified for the next stage (the Gigafinal).

Everyone plays in all rounds - it is not a 'knockout' competition.

Timetable:

The players you are drawn against is decided by the 'swiss' system, whereby players on the same number of points play each other. So, for example, if you win in Round 1 and so have 1 point you will play someone else who has 1 point in the next round.

Light refreshments (hot and cold drinks, snacks, hot dogs, toasted sandwiches etc) will be on sale throughout the day.

Matches will take place in a large playing hall where silence must be maintained at all times. If you need help, put your hand up and a referee (called an 'arbiter' in chess) will come and help you.

There will be several other classrooms around the school where your adult carer can wait for you and where you can relax, chat and play after your game.

The highest placed boy in each age group becomes the Supremo, and qualifies for the Gigafinal.

The highest placed girl in each age group becomes the Suprema, and qualifies for the Gigafinal.

Everyone scoring 4 points or more (out of a possible 6) qualifies for the Gigafinal.

There are two Gigafinals - southern and northern. Qualifiers from the Sussex Megafinal will compete in the southern Gigafinal.

In 2010 the southern Gigafinal will be held at Wellington College, Berkshire:-

U7 - U10 boys will compete on Saturday 3rd July. U11 - U18 boys, plus all girls, will compete on Sunday 4th July.

More details about the format of the Gigafinal will be available here nearer the time.

Supervision:
Parents and carers are responsible for their children during the tournament, and should supervise them when they are not in a playing area.
Parents and carers are not permitted in the playing area once play is underway.