Who can take part?
You don't have to live in Staffordshire, anyone can take part.  You must be under 18 on 1st September in the year of the competition.  So you can be any age up to 17, but you can't be older.

Where is it held?
The Junior Congress is normally held inside school grounds.  In recent years, it has been held either in Stafford or Newcastle-Under-Lyme.

What is the timetable?
You should arrive for registration between 9.00 and 9.15.  Your first game starts at 9.30am, and you should play 6 games during the competition.

Round 1	9.30 - 10.30 am
Round 2	10.40 - 11.40 am
Round 3	11.50 - 12.50 pm
Round 4	1.05 - 2.05 pm
Round 5	2.15 - 3.15 pm
Round 6	3.25 - 4.25 pm

You play one game in each round, and each round is followed by a break for refreshments etc.

Prizes and trophies are presented just before 5pm.

Refreshments.
Throughout the day, light refreshments (hot and cold drinks, assorted rolls, crisps, sweets, cakes, fresh fruit etc) will be available.

Prizes.
Most of the entrance money, less grading fees etc, will be awarded as prizes.

How are the age groups organised?
There are eight separate age groups: Under 8, under 9, under 10, under 11, under 12, under 14, under 16 and under 18.  During the tournament, you will only compete against opponents from the group you play in.

e.g.  If you were 10 years old (year 6) on 1st September, you should normally enter the Under 11 section.

Rate of play.
You have 30 minutes to complete all your moves in each game.  You should be able to use a chess clock.

Are there any trophies?
Yes, there are trophies.  If you have some connection with the county of Staffordshire and play well in this competition, you might be able to win one of them.  You should either:

• Be born in Staffordshire.
• Be living in Staffordshire.
• Go to school or college in Staffordshire.
• Currently play for an official Staffordshire Junior Chess Team.

A Staffordshire Girls Champion trophy will be awarded to the highest placed girl in each age group who satisfies one of those conditions.  If a girl wins the Champion's trophy in any group, the Girls Champion trophy will be awarded to the next highest placed girl in that group who satisfies one of the conditions.

Please note:
These trophies are a reward for good chess players who have some connection with Staffordshire.  If you could have played for Staffordshire in a junior chess team competition, but you chose to play for a team competing against them instead, you won't be allowed to compete for any of these trophies for at least twelve months afterwards.

Each winner keeps their trophy for twelve months before returning it.