Join the Hoosier Chess Circuit! Win medals and track your progress!
Earn at least 300 HCA points for every Circuit you attend!
What is the Circuit? The Circuit is a series of monthly, informal chess competitions open to students in grades PK-12.
When: Third Sunday of every month, 1:15-5pm EST. Arrive between 12:45-1:15pm.
Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 2200 S High St, Bloomington, IN 47401 (park in the upper parking lot and enter the doors adjacent to the playground).
Who: Any child in grades PK-12, including beginning players and competition veterans! We want you to join our Circuit. Players from all cities and states are invited.
Time control: G25;d5 (5-second delay). Clocks may not be placed at all boards right away. We will place a clock at a board that does not have one when a match is going long.
Sections: Matches are now divided into smaller grade-level sections: 3rd/Under, 6th/Under, 12th/Under, and PK-12 Unrated. Only the PK-12 Unrated section is unrated. If playing in a rated section, you must have an active USCF membership.
4 matches every month,
USCF-rated and unrated
What is the schedule?
The first match begins at 1:30pm. Subsequent matches will start as soon as possible. The event will end at 5pm. Arrive at the playing site no later than 1:15pm. If you arrive later than that, call 812-318-2875 right away.
Entry fee:
$5 in advance (register here)
$10 if registering on-site (between 12:45-1:15pm) - You can pay on-site via PayPal, Venmo, cash, or check. These payment methods are only available for on-site registration, not advance registration.
Note: The Circuit is free for children on free and reduced lunch and families on public assistance (e.g. SSI, SNAP).
How much is it?
Get rewarded for your hard work
Prizes and perks:
Medals to top three finishers in each section every month. These awards give children something tangible to work toward, and provide recognition for focus, effort, and sportsmanship as well as performance.
Monthly themes: Every month brings a new theme to the Hoosier Chess Circuit! In addition to our regular chess competitions, players and families can look forward to a rotating variety of themed activities, decorations, special treats, and other surprises. Themes may celebrate holidays, seasons, or creative chess-related ideas, making each Circuit a fresh and memorable experience. Our goal is to make the Circuit more than just a tournament—it’s a fun, welcoming community event that children look forward to attending month after month. The chess competition, medals, HCA points, and free game analysis remain at the heart of every event, regardless of the theme. Watch for monthly announcements to discover what’s coming next!
Free game analysis with skilled coaches: Our team of experienced chess instructors is eager to work with your child between Circuit matches to review and analyze their notated games. Receiving immediate feedback and guidance in the middle of tournament play is tremendously beneficial for chess improvement. For each game reviewed, players receive 25 extra HCA points (see below).
HCA Points System: In addition to US Chess ratings, all players also participate in the Hoosier Chess Academy’s in-house points system. Every match you play—whether rated or unrated—earns you points in our circuit standings. As you collect points, you climb levels unique to HCA. Advancing in the HCA points system comes with year-round recognition and rewards. The system is designed to motivate steady participation and give every child a sense of progress, no matter their starting point.
