La Palma Chess Club
Winter Session 2025/2026 Schedule
Nov. 7 through Jan. 30, 2026
| Friday | Rnd | Session/Tournament | Fee* | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ------------ | --- | All 13 weeks | $70/$50 | tbd |
| 11/7/2025 | 1 | Leigh Hunt Memorial | incl | - |
| 11/14/2025 | 2 | Leigh Hunt Memorial | Incl | - |
| 11/21/2025 | 3 | Leigh Hunt Memorial | Incl | - |
| 11/28/2025 | - | CLOSED | - | - |
| 12/5/2025 | 4 | Leigh Hunt Memorial | Incl | - |
| 12/12/2025 | 5 | Leigh Hunt Memorial | Incl | - |
| 12/19/2025 | 6 | Leigh Hunt Memorial | Incl | - |
| 12/26/2025 | - | CLOSED | - | - |
| 1/2/2026 | 1 | Three Groups #10 | Incl | - |
| 1/9/2026 | 2 | Three Groups #10 | Incl | - |
| 1/16/2026 | 3 | Three Groups #10 | Incl | - |
| 1/23/2026 | 4 | Three Groups #10 | Incl | - |
| 1/30/2026 | 5 | Three Groups #10 | Incl | - |
Entry Fee
$70 for the session which includes both tournaments. Or, tournaments can be entered individually. All fees $20 less for La Palma residents.
Advance Registration
Advance registration here. LPCC is limited to 80 players due to the COVID epidemic. So, those interested in playing are strongly encouraged to take advantage of advance registration and register early. Be advised that LPCC events have sold out on or before round 1.
Masks
For COVID-19 protection, all players and spectators may be required to wear a mask in the playing hall and other indoor areas. Mask mandates are subject to change.
USCF Membership
Since all tournament games are USCF rated, players must have an active USCF membership to play in tournaments. See Tournament Director to get assistance on this.
Tournament Details
NN
A 7-round Swiss in two sections
No tournament round on Nov. 23 due to the American Open
Registration: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Rounds start at 7 p.m.
Sections:
The Elites (Class A and up) and the Workers (Class B and below, including unrateds)
Prizes, each section:
- 1st place, $200
- 2nd place, $100
- 3rd place, $75
- First Class A, B, C, D or under: $25
- Best game (either section), $50
- Special prizes, combined sections: Runner up for best game, Biggest rating gain
Time control: Game/1:55, d/5
Byes: One half-point bye may be taken. An irrevocable last round half-point bye is allowed only if declared before the first round starts
33rd Annual Club Championship
A 7-Round Swiss in one section.
Registration: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Rounds start at 7 p.m.
Prizes:
- 1st. Place: $500
- 2nd. Place: $250
- 3rd. Place: $150
- Bonus prize for a perfect 7-0 winning score: $100
- Class prizes: 1st. A, B, C, D and under: $25
- Best game (as judged by IM Jack Peters), $25
- Biggest upset: Special prize
- Special prizes: Any player making a breakthrough, for the first time, into
a higher rating class; best game runner-up; best endgame; best save*.
* Save: conversion of a lost position into a win or a draw.
Time control: Game/1:55, d/5
Byes: Two half-point byes may be taken. An irrevocable last round half-point bye is allowed only if declared before the first round starts.
Chess: Is It Rocket Science?
A 7-round Swiss in two sections.
Victory goes mostly not to the one who plays the perfect game, but to the player who does not make the last mistake.
No tournament round on Nov. 29
Registration: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Rounds start at 7 p.m.
Sections:
The Apollo Division: open to all players.
The Spaceball Gang: for players rated under 1800
Prizes, each section:
- 1st place, $80
- 2nd place, $40
- 3rd place, $25
Other Prizes:
First Class A, B, C, D and under: $20 each
Special Prizes
Special prizes for biggest upset and longest winning endgame, either section
Time control: Game/1:55, d/5
Byes: Two half-point byes may be taken. An irrevocable last round half-point bye is allowed only if declared before the first round starts
NN Swiss
A 6-round Swiss in two sections, plus a Ladder Match night.
Registration: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Rounds start at 7 p.m.
Sections:
The Bosses, open to all players
The Working Class, open to those rated under 1800
Prizes, each section:
- 1st place, $60
- 2nd place, $30
- 3rd place, $20
Other Prizes:
First Class A, B, C, D and under: $20 each (combined sections)
Biggest rating gain: Special prize
Special Prizes
Special prizes for biggest upset, and to any player making a breakthrough, for the first time, into a higher rating class.
Time control: Game/1:55, d/5
Byes: One half-point bye may be taken. An irrevocable last round half-point bye is allowed only if declared before the first round starts
Remember, It's Just a Game!
A 6-Round Swiss in one section.
No game on Sept. 6
Prizes:
- 1st. Place: $200
- 2nd. Place: $150
- 3rd. Place: $100
- Best A Player: $50
- Best B Player: $50
- Best C/below Player: $50
- Best game (as judged by IM Jack Peters): $50
- Biggest upset: Special prize
Registration: 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Rounds: Rounds start at 6 p.m.
Time control: Game/1:55, d/5
Byes: One half-point bye may be taken. An irrevocable last round half-point bye is allowed only if declared before the first round starts.
The Crypto Pawns...Beware!
A 3-round Swiss in two sections
No tournament round on Nov. 23 due to the American Open
Registration: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Rounds start at 7 p.m.
Sections:
Upper section: 1800 rating or higher. Lower section: 1799 or below. No cross - overs.
Prizes, each section:
- 1st place, $50
- 2nd place, $30
- 3rd place, $20
- First Class A, B, C, D or under: $25
Time control: Game/1:55, d/5
Byes: None
One Night Stand: A Ladder Match
One night ladder match tournament.
Registration: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Format: Player rated #1 plays #2, #3 plays #4, etc. Games will be rated, and under our usual time control.
Round: Round start at 7 p.m.
Prizes: Special prize for each winner
Time control: Game/1:55, d/5
Byes: None
10th Leigh Hunt Memorial Chess Open
A 6-round Swiss in one section. Remembering our late tournament director and one of our top players.
No game on Nov. 28
Registration: 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Rounds: Rounds start at 6 p.m.
Prizes:
- 1st. Place: $300
- 2nd. Place: $200
- 3rd. Place: $150
- 4th. Place: $100
- Bonus prize for a perfect 7-0 winning score (Forfeit wins and byes don't count): $50
- Class prizes: A: $50
- Class prizes: B: $50
- Class prizes: C: $50
- Class prizes: D and below: $50
- Best game (as judged by IM Jack Peters): $50
- Special prize: Biggest Upset
Time control: Game/1:55, d/5
Byes: Two half-point byes may be taken. An irrevocable last round half-point bye is allowed only if declared before the first round starts.
Separating Tarrasch from the Trash
A 5-round Swiss in two sections.
Registration: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Rounds start at 7 p.m.
Sections:
Upper Section: Players rated 1800 or higher.
Lower Section: Players rated 1799 or below, No cross-overs to the higher-rated section.
Prizes, each section:
- 1st place, $100
- 2nd place, $50
- 3rd place, $30
Time control: Game/1:55, d/5
Byes: One half-point bye may be taken. An irrevocable last round half-point bye is allowed only if declared before the first round starts.
IM Jack Peters Simultaneous Exhibition and Lecture
International Master Jack Peters will give a lecture and then simultaneously play all challengers up to a limit of 25 players
If you are enrolled in the entire Winter program and wish to play in this, please reserve a board with the Tournament Director
Registration: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Lecture & games start at 7 p.m.
Prizes: TBD
The Dabster Chronicles
A 3-round Swiss in three sections.
Sections:
Expert (1850+), Bungler (1601 - 1849), Patzer (1600 or under)
Prizes, combined sections:
- 1st. place $50, 2nd $25
- Special prizes: Best game, Biggest Upset.
Registration: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Rounds start at 7 p.m.
Time control: Game/1:55, d/5
Byes: None
Three Groups #10
This will be a 5 round swiss system. Higher rated opponents will initially be paired with lower rated players within their section. No playing up or down allowed.
Sections:
Section 1: Ratings 1700 and above
Section 2: Ratings 1300-1699
Section 3: Ratings 1299 and below
Prizes, each section:
- 1st. place $100
- 2nd. place $40
- 3rd. place $30
- Special prizes: Best game (((?))), Biggest Upset.
Registration: 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Rounds: Rounds start at 6 p.m.
Time control: Game/1:55, d/5
Byes: One half-point bye may be taken. An irrevocable last round half-point bye is allowed only if declared before the first round starts.