What is a Quad Tournament?
A quad tournament is a simple, player-friendly chess format. Four players are grouped together by rating and play a round-robin. That means everyone plays everyone else once.
Each player plays three games total.
Quads are popular because they are efficient, competitive, and fair. You get a full afternoon of chess against players close to your level, with no long waits between rounds.
How Quads Are Organized
Players are sorted from highest rating to lowest rating.
Players ranked 1–4 form the top quad
Players ranked 5–8 form the next quad
Players ranked 9–12 form the next quad, and so on
Each quad plays a three-round round-robin.
If the total number of players is not a multiple of four, the remaining players usually compete in a small three-round Swiss section, following US Chess guidelines.
Scoring and Winners
Scoring is straightforward:
Win = 1 point
Draw = 0.5 points
Loss = 0 points
The player with the most points wins their quad. There is no overall tournament champion. Every quad has its own winner.
If players tie for first place, the tournament director applies standard tie-breaks.
Why Players Like Quad Tournaments
Quad tournaments offer several advantages:
You play opponents close to your rating
Everyone has a realistic chance to win their section
No early elimination or uneven pairings
Clear schedule with only three rounds
Time Controls and Schedule
Most scholastic quad tournaments, including MVP Chess, use a G/25 d5 time control. This allows games to be long enough for real thinking while still keeping the event moving. With three rounds, a full quad typically lasts about 2.5 hours, which works well for students and families.
This is the fastest time control that still affects a US Chess Regular rating. Games played at G/25 d5 count the same toward a player’s rating as longer time controls like G/45 d5 or even G/90+30, making quads an efficient way for scholastic players to earn meaningful rated experience.
How to Prepare for a Scholastic Quad
Quad tournaments are especially effective for scholastic players because everyone competes against opponents close to their rating.
Use simple, reliable openings you already know
Focus on basic tactics and endgames
Stay focused. You will play three games in one sitting
Good rest, hydration, and a light snack go a long way toward helping students maintain energy and concentration.
Quad Tournaments at MVP Chess
MVP Chess focuses on scholastic quad tournaments as an accessible way for students to gain tournament experience and earn US Chess ratings.
Our quads are designed to give young players meaningful games against peers of similar strength, without the stress or time commitment of all-day tournaments. This format supports steady improvement and a positive competitive experience.
Quads are a core part of how we build a healthy scholastic chess ecosystem in the DMV.
A Community Resource for DMV Scholastic Chess
MVP Chess is not the only organization supporting scholastic quad tournaments in the DC–Maryland–Virginia area. Several local clubs and organizations help provide small-format events that are critical for player development.
Organizations that support scholastic chess and quad-style events in the DMV include:
For a complete calendar of chess events in the region, including quads, scholastic tournaments, and open events, players and families should consult the Virginia Chess Clearinghouse, which aggregates listings from across the DMV.
(This section may be updated over time as the local scholastic chess community grows.)
