ICEA Chess Tournament

ICEA Chess is committed to hosting top-quality USCF-rated tournaments in the Los Angeles area. We welcome players of all ages and from any location to compete in some of the most competitive USCF-rated chess events in LA.

In 2025, players with a USCF rating of 2100 or higher can participate in our monthly tournaments for free and remain eligible for cash prizes without any deductions. To claim your free entry, simply complete this form.

For 2100+ Rated Players :

May 10, 2025

  • ICEA Chess@West LA: Monthly OTB USCF-rated Tournament

    May 10, 2025  9:00 am - 6:00 pm
    11555 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

    Registration: https://iceachess.org/tournaments

    Location: 

    ICEA Chess @ West LA

    Nolte Community Center

    11555 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

    See more details

Monthly Tournaments

ICEA Chess @ West LA

ICEA Chess @ West LA hosts a Monthly OTB Chess Tournament on the second Saturday of each month. It typically features four sections (U1000, 1000+, 1600+ and 2000+) to accommodate different skill levels based on the monthly supplement USCF ratings.

The tournament is a one-day event with four rounds for the 1000+ / 1600+ / 2000+ sections, running from 9 AM to 6 PM, with a time control of G/45;+5 (45 minutes for each player, plus a 5-second increment per move).

The U1000 section is designed for players with ratings below 1000, making it an excellent starting point for new players who haven't established a USCF rating yet. This section has three double rounds from 9 AM to 4 PM, meaning players will play two games against the same opponent each round.

During Super Month and the subsequent month, the 2000+ section will feature a classic time control of G/90;+20 (90 minutes per player with a 20-second increment per move). This event will span two Saturdays across two consecutive months (Super Month and the following month).

Schedule

The second Saturday of each Month

Locations

Nolte Community Center

11555 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Upcoming Tournament Date
May 10th, 2025

ICEA Chess @ Irvine (Scholastic)

ICEA Chess @ Irvine hosts a USCF-rated Scholastic Chess Tournament on the first Saturday of each month. The event typically features four sections—K-12, K-8, K-5, and K-3—designed to accommodate various skill levels and grade groups.

This one-day tournament runs from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with a time control of G/25;+5 (25 minutes per player with a 5-second increment per move).

Upcoming Tournament Date
May. 31st, 2025

>> Advance Entries <<

ICEA Chess @ Gardena (Free Scholastic)

ICEA Chess @ Gardena, a free, one-day non-rated youth chess tournament proudly sponsored by the City of Gardena.

📍 Location: Nakaoka Community Center, 1670 W 162nd St, Gardena, CA 90247
📅 Open to: All K–12 students

This event welcomes scholastic chess players of all skill levels to enjoy a fun and well-organized tournament experience.

🏅 All participants will receive medals and certificates in recognition of their efforts.

Upcoming Tournament Date
April 26th, 2025

ICEA Chess @ The Wende (Free Open)

ICEA Chess @ The Wende, sponsored by The Wende Museum, located at Culver City, quarterly hosts an one-day chess tournament that is free and open to everyone. This event invites players of all ages and skill levels to enjoy a competitive and friendly chess experience in a unique and inspiring venue.

Whether you're a seasoned tournament player or new to competitive chess, this is the perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills, connect with the community, and celebrate the timeless game of chess—all at no cost. Join us for an exciting day of strategy, learning, and fun!

Annual Tournaments

ICEA Chess Scholastic Annual Championship

SuperStates SoCal State Championship

FAQs

Q: What is a USCF-rated tournament?A: A USCF-rated tournament is an event sanctioned by US Chess, where the outcomes of the games played are submitted to US Chess for the purpose of player rating. If this is your first USCF-rated tournament, you can refer to this document for more information and insights.
Q: Can I just come by and register onsite?A: Onsite registration is possible, but we strongly encourage players to register online in advance to avoid delays and ensure a spot in the tournament. Please note that onsite registration is subject to availability and space may be limited.
Q: Is the tournament indoors or outdoors?A: Indoors.
Q: As a chess player, do I need to bring my own chess set and clock? Is there anything else I should bring?A: Chess players are responsible for bringing their own chess set,  clock, and scoresheets (The USChess Certified Electronic Notation Devices are allowed in this tournament.). We may have a limited number of sets and clocks available for use, but this is not guaranteed, especially for clocks. Players are responsible for setting up their clocks appropriately before the tournament.
Q: Can I watch the games?A: Spectators are welcome to watch the games as long as they adhere to all tournament rules and respect the players by remaining quiet during the matches. Please maintain a quiet atmosphere and limit your stay in the play hall to no more than 5 minutes (we will keep the play hall door closed during the tournament). For the top board games (usually the top 4 boards), we will have live streaming available, so you can watch those games online from your mobile device at live.iceachess.org.
Q: If I cannot make all rounds, can I skip some of them?A: Absolutely. You can request byes for any rounds by filling out the registration form or emailing team@icea1.org at least one hour before the requested round starts. In the form or email, specify which rounds you would like to skip. You can receive up to one half-point bye in the 1000+/1800+ section (note that a bye for the last round will be a 0-point bye).
Q: If I registered in advance, but I cannot make it later, can I get a refund?A: Unfortunately, registration fees are non-refundable. However, if you are unable to attend the tournament and notify us before the tournament, we can hold your registration for a future tournament at your convenience.
Q: How can I get the prize?A: If you win a prize while still onsite, you will receive a check immediately after the tournament concludes. If you leave before the end of the tournament, we will contact you for digital payment through Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal. You can also reach out to us at team@icea1.org to provide your preferred digital payment method when you see your name listed in the winner’s email, which we send out within one day after the tournament finishes. If you don't receive an email, check your spam folder and ensure you can receive emails from chess@icea1.org or team@icea1.org.
Q: I am 2100+ rated player, since I don’t need to pay the entry fee, am I still eligible for a prize?A: Yes, as a 2100+ rated player, you can play for free and are also eligible for a prize.
Q: My current rating may not qualify me for the section I want to play in, but I am confident I can improve my rating before the tournament. Can I register to play in a higher section for now?A: Yes, you can register for a higher section. However, your section placement will be adjusted prior to the tournament based on your current month's supplemental rating or your most recent rating.
Q: My rating qualified me for a section when I registered, but it fell below the minimum rating requirement for that section before the tournament. Will I still be allowed to play in that section?A: We will also consider your peak rating from the past six months to determine section eligibility. If your peak rating during this period qualifies you for the target section, you will be allowed to remain in that section. Otherwise, your section will be adjusted before the tournament.
Q: I am a foreign player and do not have a US Chess membership yet. Can I still participate in ICEA Chess's monthly tournament? Additionally, if I have an established FIDE rating, will I need to start in the U1000 section?A: Yes, you can absolutely participate in ICEA Chess’s monthly tournament even if you don’t have a US Chess membership yet. However, you will need to sign up for a US Chess membership in order to officially compete in our USCF-rated tournaments. You can register for a membership here: Join US Chess.

If you have an established FIDE rating, we will use it as a reference for section eligibility. We will use following formula (published by USChess in March 2024) to convert your FIDE rating to a USCF rating for the section eligibility and pairing:
USCF = 932 + 0.564 × FIDE (if FIDE ≤ 2000)
USCF = 20 + 1.02 × FIDE (if FIDE > 2000)
Q: I submitted a bye request. Where can I check if it has been recorded?A: Click on the "Pairings & Standings" link and navigate to the "Byes" tab. There, you can verify that your name and the requested bye rounds are correctly listed.

FAQs

Q: What is a USCF-rated tournament?

A: A USCF-rated tournament is an event sanctioned by US Chess, where the outcomes of the games played are submitted to US Chess for the purpose of player rating. If this is your first USCF-rated tournament, you can refer to this document for more information and insights.

Q: Can I just come by and register onsite?

A: Onsite registration is possible, but we strongly encourage players to register online in advance to avoid delays and ensure a spot in the tournament. Please note that onsite registration is subject to availability and space may be limited.

Q: Is the tournament indoors or outdoors?

A: Indoors.

Q: As a chess player, do I need to bring my chess set and clock?

A: Chess players are responsible for bringing their own chess set and clock (scoresheets will be provided, but it would be best to bring your own). We may have limited sets and clocks available for use, but it is not guaranteed.

Q: Can I watch the games?

A: Spectators are welcome to watch the games as long as they adhere to all tournament rules and respect the players by remaining quiet during the matches, and please maintain a quiet atmosphere and limit your stay in the play hall to no more than 5 minutes. (We will keep the play hall door closed.)

Q: I never play a (OTB) chess tournament before, should I bring a chess set or something else?

A: Yes. If you have never played in an over-the-board (OTB) chess tournament before, it is recommended that you bring your own chess set, clock, pencils, and scoresheets. These items are typically required for tournament play. You may also find it helpful to watch this video to become familiar with the rules and expectations of OTB tournaments.

Q: If I cannot make all rounds, can I skip some of them?

A: Absolutely. You can request byes for any rounds by filling out the registration form or emailing team@icea1.org at least one hour before the requested rounds start. In the form or email, specify which rounds you would like to skip. You will get up to one half-point bye for 1000+/1800+ section.

Q: If I registered in advance, but I cannot make it later, can I get a refund?

A: Unfortunately, registration fees are non-refundable. However, if you are unable to attend the tournament, we can hold your registration for a future tournament at your convenience.

Q: How can I get the prize?

A: If you win a prize while still onsite, you will receive a check immediately after the tournament concludes. If you have left before the end of the tournament, we will contact you for digital payment through Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal. You can also reach out to us at team@icea1.org when you see your name listed in the winner’s list.

Q: I am 2000+ rated player, since I don’t need to pay the entry fee, am I still eligible for a prize?

A: Yes, as a 2000+ rated player, you can play for free and are also eligible for a prize. However, a $25 deduction will be applied if you win.

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