Two or three times a year Portishead Junior Chess organise a major ECF rated Rapidplay at Somerset Hall. Typically 100+ young chess enthusiasts enter. Some are well seasoned in tournament chess. For many, however, especially in the younger age groups, this will be their first experience - and so our priority is to make sure it is a good one! 

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Play is over 6 rounds and players will play in all rounds. This is not a knockout tournament, but each round players will be paired with another player who is on the same or similar score.This is the Swiss system and it ensures that as the tournament progresses everyone will be paired against an opponent of a similar level. 

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Players are grouped in sections according to their age, although a player may ask to "play up" in an older section.

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Each player has 15 minutes on the clock plus and extra 15 seconds for every move played. For those who have never played with a clock before, everything will be explained. The important thing to note is that players have loads of time and shouldn't rush their moves. For more information and entry to the next tournament, see below: