2026 Paul Gavlick Rhode Island Rapid & Blitz State Championship (Providence, RI) – $1,000 Prizes + Free Pizza

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026

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Tournament for ALL AGES – Rhode Island Rapid and Blitz State Championship – Play in One Event or Both Events Same Day

Open to OUT-OF STATE Players – Eligible to win all trophies – RI Champions will receive separate 1st Place Champion Trophies

REGISTRATION OPEN – GO TO BOTTOM OF PAGE

Location:
La Salle Academy – 612 Academy Ave, Providence, RI 02908

Events & Times:
RI State Rapid Championship: starts at 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
RI State Blitz Championship: starts at 1:30 pm – 3:45 pm

Lunch Break: 12:50 – 1:20 pm
FREE PIZZA for anyone who registered for Both Events

Format
Rapid Tournament: 5SS; G/10+3 = 5 Single Round Swiss (5 Rds.) each gets 10 min + 3 sec. increment per game
Blitz Tournament: 5DSS; G/3+2 = 5 Double Round Swiss (10 Rds.) each gets 3 min +2 sec. increment per game

IMPORTANT
* Regular Ratings will be used only for pairings & prizes
* This Event does not affect your regular USCF Rating.
* Only USCF Rapid (Quick) and Blitz Rating will be affected

Sections & Prizes: $1,000 Guaranteed Prizes plus Trophies
$500 Prize Fund Each for Open Section for Both Rapid & Blitz Tournaments
* OPEN SECTION: $500 – Both Rapid & Blitz Tournament $250-$150-$100 (each event), Championship Trophies 1st, 2nd, 3rd
* Class Prize Top U1900 Championship Trophy (Open Section) – 1st place Championship Cup Trophy
* Class Prize Top U1600 Championship Trophy (Open Section) – 1st place Championship Cup Trophy
* Class Prize Top U1300 Championship Trophy (Open Section) – 1st place Championship Cup Trophy

3 Scholastic Sections: – Both Rapid & Blitz Tournament: Trophies 1st, 2nd, 3rd places for
* High School Section (Grade 9-12) – Trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place, for Both RAPID & BLITZ
* Middle School Section (Grade 6-8) – Trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place, for Both RAPID & BLITZ
* Elementary School Section (Grade K-5) – Trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place, for Both RAPID & BLITZ

Entry Fees
Open Section: Special Price = $40 to play in Both Championship Events includes Pizza.
If you Play in Only One Event = $25 for Rapid Only / EF, $25 for Blitz Only
GM’s, IM’s, WGM’s, WIM’s FREE. EF will Not be deducted from prizes

3 Scholastic Sections: Special Price = EF $30 to play in Both Championship Events, includes Pizza
EF $30 Both Events = includes Out-of-State players, or R.I. Gr. K-12 players who do not play in RI OSCA Leagues
If you play in only one event: EF $20 registration for Only Rapid Event; EF $20 for Only Blitz Event

SPECIAL DISCOUNT: for R.I. Scholastic OSCA League Players Gr. K-12 only pay $20 for both events
Must Register by March 12, 2026 (for Discount, Players must be from R.I. and MUST play in the OSCA High School, Middle School, or Elementary School Leagues)

* There will be a $10 Late Entry Fee for registering Day Before 3/13 & Day of the Event 3/14; may get 1/2 point bye in Rd 1

* Registration at Bottom of Page *

Discount Entries for 1st-Time USCF Tournament Players and Siblings
* 1st-Time Tournament (Age 3-18) Discount $44 = Includes FREE $24 USCF “Youth” Membership (Not Renewal)
* 1st-Time Tournament (Age 19-24) Discount $53 = Includes FREE $33 USCF “Young Adult” Membership (Not Renewal)
* 1st-Time Tournament (Age 25-64) Discount $74 = Includes FREE $54 USCF “Adult” Membership (Not Renewal)
* 1st-Time Tournament (Age 64-99) Discount $68 = Includes FREE $48 USCF “Senior” Membership (Not Renewal)
* Siblings Discount – 2 Siblings (Gr. K-12) – 2 Entries for both Rapid and Blitz Events -$10, Only $25 Each

Paul W. Gavlick (1935 – 2012), of North Providence, RI. played for more than 40 years, several years holding the title of RI Speed Chess Champion. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and spoke fluent polish. Paul was one of the most active chess players in Rhode Island, playing every week at the Rhode Island Chess Club in Providence, and the Blackstone Chess Club in Pawtucket. At the Sven Brask Chess Club in Plainville, MA, he was the Howard Cook Memorial co-champion in 2006 and 2009. In other yearly contests at the club, he won the “Ironman” Award in 2007, the “Most Improved Player” Award in 2009, and was the “Ironman” co-champion in 2010, and played chess until age 77. His Son Paul Gavlick III and Grandson Evan Gavlick, currently coach a free chess program for children in North Providence. Information about Paul Gavlick here: https://www.uschess.org/index.php/Obituaries/Paul-W.-Gavlick.html

Additional Information
* The winners of the Open Sections will hold the Title(s) of 2026 R.I Rapid Champion, and 2026 RI Blitz Champion
* Winners of Scholastic Section will hold Title(s) of 2026 Elementary, Middle, High School – R.I. Rapid Champion / Blitz Champions
* Both Events are Open to Out-of-State players. Eligible to win all trophies. RI Champions will receive a separate trophy
* Chess sets & Chess Clocks will be provided. Check-in: Please arrive at least 10-15 minutes before the tournament starts
* This event does not affect your regular rating. Rapid & Blitz Ratings are used, regular rating used for pairings only if no ratings
* Parking in Rear. Plenty of parking, please go to back parking lot and see stairs to the rear entrance to LaSalle Academy
* R.I. Rapid Championship from 10:00 am -1:00 pm (2.5 – 3 hours). R.I. Blitz Championship from 1:30-3:45 pm (2 hours)
* FREE PIZZA. Lunch Break 12:45-1:15 pm for those players who sign up for both the Rapid & Blitz championship events
* USCF Membership is required in both sections. USCF Rapid and Blitz Rules apply.

* Chief TD & OSCA Organizer Frank DelBonis, is a La Salle Academy Graduate ‘Class or 1983’ and played on the chess team

La Salle Academy is a private Roman Catholic college preparatory school run by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded by the Christian Brothers in 1871

Ocean State Chess Association is the Official R.I. State Affiliate of the United States Chess Federation