Tournament Descriptions
Below are description of our regular events. Server Chess events are where moves are entered on a server. Postal chess events are where moves are sent via postal mail or email.
Server Chess Events
Traditional Chess
- Seasonal Server Series
- CCLA North American Server Class Championships
- Herbert W. Gustafson Memorial
- CCLA Server Team Championship
Advanced Chess
Chess Engines Allowed
Postal Chess Events
Seasonal Server Series
There are four seasonal tournaments, Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer Server Series. One round. No prizes. Entrants grouped by rating. Players paired as either a 7-player single round robin, or as a 4-, 5- or 6-player double-round robin. Total number of games played is six to ten, depending on number of entrants and pairing option. Multiple entries permitted.
Time limit: 10 moves/30 days.
Entry fee $6 per section.
- Entry deadline - (Fall): Nov 15.
- Entry deadline - (Winter): Feb 15.
- Entry deadline - (Spring): May 15.
- Entry deadline - (Summer): Aug 15.
CCLA North American Server Class Championships
This is a one or two round event depending on the number of entrants. There are five rating classes, Master/Expert, A, B, C and D. A minimum of 3 entrants per class is required to hold a championship in that class. Classes C and D may be combined, depending on the number of entrants. Each winner of a round one section and all players scoring 75% or better advance to the final round of their class. First place prize in the finals is $20. Pairings may be single round robin or double round robin, depending on number of entrants in a class.
Time limit: 10 moves/30 days.
Entry fee $8.
Entry deadline: April 15.
Herbert W. Gustafson Memorial
Played annually, this special event is named in Herbert W. Gustafson's honor. When Mr. Gustafson passed away in 2008, he left a bequest to CCLA to support chess events like this, a semi-class event with sections of four players with two games per opponent. All games will be by server, with no chess engines allowed. The tournament is open to all residents of the United States and its territories, with no CCLA membership requirement and no entry fee. The prize for winning a section will be a $20 credit that can be used only for CCLA membership dues or, for CCLA members, as entry fees to CCLA events. Section prize is split in the event of a tie.
Time limit: 10 moves/30 days.
Entry fee: none
Entry deadline: October 15.
CCLA Server Team Championship
Played in odd-numbered years, this is one of our most popular events. Teams will consist of six players. Team and individual applications accepted. If you apply as an individual we will assign you to a team based on your rating and a team's needs. The number of divisions, teams per division and games played per opponent depend on the number of entries. Teams are assigned to divisions based on the average team rating. Each player plays one or two games against opponents on his board (Board 1 plays all other Board 1 players, etc.)
Time limit: 10 moves/30 days.
Entry fee $8.
Entry deadline: October 1.
CCLA Quads
This server event is open year 'round to all CCLA players. Chess engines may be used in this event to aid in move selection. Sections issued when filled, with entrants grouped by rating. Players paired as either a 7-player single round robin, or as a 4-, 5- or 6-player double round robin, six to ten games played depending on number of entrants. Multiple entries permitted. One round. No prizes.
Time limit: 10 moves/30 days.
Entry fee $6.
Caution: Players must complete all Traditional Chess games before entering any Advanced Chess section.
CCLA Server Championship
Annual tournament open to all CCLA players rated 2000 and over. The event may be one or two rounds depending on the number of entrants and involve one or two games per opponent depending on the number of players in a section. Section winners and ties advance to the final round. Prizes: First place $50, second place $25 and third place $10.
Time limit: 10 moves/30 days.
Entry fee $10.
Entry deadline: April 15.
Note: The Advanced Chess event allows the use of chess engines in selecting your move during this event.
Postal en Prise
This event (new in 2023) is open entry, with sections issued as soon as we have 4 entries within a 300-point rating range. Section prize is $ 10.00, with ties sharing the prize money. Multiple entries permitted. Entry fee is $ 5.00 per section.
NOTE: All CCLA postal tournaments use a time limit of 10 moves in 30 days. All moves must be sent in algebraic notation unless both players agree upon another unequivocal notation such as standard descriptive, ICCF numeric, etc. at the beginning of the game. Players may exchange moves via email in all postal events when both players are agreeable. Note: continuous membership in CCLA is required by our ByLaws, or all games, prizes and advancements will be forfeited.
Postal CCLA Championship
Open to the twelve highest-rated players who enter. The winner receives a $50 first prize and title of CCLA Champion. Second place receives $ 25.00, third place $10.00. CCLA Champions are no longer seeded into ICCF's USCCC or NA Invitational. Multiple entries are not permitted; only one entry per event. A minimum of 3 entrants is required or event will not be held in that year. Entry fee is $8 per section; deadline for entry is September 15th.
NOTE: All CCLA postal tournaments use a time limit of 10 moves in 30 days. All moves must be sent in algebraic notation unless both players agree upon another unequivocal notation such as standard descriptive, ICCF numeric, etc. at the beginning of the game. Players may exchange moves via email in all postal events when both players are agreeable. Note: continuous membership in CCLA is required by our ByLaws, or all games, prizes and advancements will be forfeited.
Postal Challenge Matches
Two games against the opponent of your choice. Thematic matches in some openings can be facilitated through a CCLA coordinator (lists appear in the Chess Correspondent from time to time.) Note: matches are arranged by the players themselves, then fees are sent in and an official match number is issued. CCLA does not arrange matches and new members cannot "enter" matches like they do other events.
Entry fee is $3 for each player.
NOTE: All CCLA postal tournaments use a time limit of 10 moves in 30 days. All moves must be sent in algebraic notation unless both players agree upon another unequivocal notation such as standard descriptive, ICCF numeric, etc. at the beginning of the game. Players may exchange moves via email in all postal events when both players are agreeable. Note: continuous membership in CCLA is required by our ByLaws, or all games, prizes and advancements will be forfeited.
Postal Team Championship
The number of divisions, teams and games played per opponent is strictly a function of the entries. Teams are assigned to divisions based on the average team rating of their six players. Each player plays one or two games against opponents on his board (Board 1 plays all other Board 1 players, etc.) Entry fee is $8; deadline for rosters is June 1 in odd-numbered years.
NOTE: All CCLA postal tournaments use a time limit of 10 moves in 30 days. All moves must be sent in algebraic notation unless both players agree upon another unequivocal notation such as standard descriptive, ICCF numeric, etc. at the beginning of the game. Players may exchange moves via email in all postal events when both players are agreeable. Note: continuous membership in CCLA is required by our ByLaws, or all games, prizes and advancements will be forfeited.
Postal Leadership
The annual Leadership dates from 1916. Entrants are assigned by rating into Leadership sections and play six or eight games. Leadership section prizes are $15 for 1st and $10 for 2nd. Multiple entries are not permitted; only one entry per event.
Entry fee is $8 per section; deadline for entry is September 15th.
NOTE: All CCLA postal tournaments use a time limit of 10 moves in 30 days. All moves must be sent in algebraic notation unless both players agree upon another unequivocal notation such as standard descriptive, ICCF numeric, etc. at the beginning of the game. Players may exchange moves via email in all postal events when both players are agreeable. The use of chess engine is permitted to aid in move selection in this Postal Advanced Chess Event.