Swiss system. Earlier editions may use a different format.
EVERY GAME IS A STEP FORWARD
Your next move.
Your own path.
A place to think deeper, test yourself, and grow through classical chess. Welcome to Path to Masters.
By SCA Chess Academy · For players who love a challenge
NEXT ON THE PATH · PTM 4
17 October 2026
Yew Chung International School Puxi · Building B, 4F
THE SERIES, AT A GLANCE
Make every game count.
Games played.
Stories made.
Browse each edition and the final standings.
Explore results ↗02 / YOUR PLAYER CARDGet to know
your chess.
Your colours, your strongest rounds, your rivalries.
Meet the players ↗03 / THE SCA COMMUNITYA little friendly
competition.
Explore Standard, Rapid and Blitz rating lists.
See the power ranking ↗THE TOURNAMENT ARCHIVE
Every edition.
Another step.
Simple standings, memorable performances, and the games behind your player card.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE MOVES
Find your player card.
A growing record of your Path to Masters journey.
How player statistics are calculated
Coverage: verified results from PTM 1, PTM 2 and PTM 3. PTM 4 registrations are shown separately and are not counted as completed participations.
A win scores 1, a draw ½ and a loss 0. Colour and round percentages = points scored ÷ games played × 100. Byes, forfeits and unplayed games are excluded from these percentages and from rivalries, but remain in official tournament totals. The number of games is shown so small samples are clear.
Favourite Opponent is the player against whom you have the largest positive head-to-head score margin. Nemesis is the player against whom you have the largest deficit. Wins score 1, draws ½ and losses 0. A title requires at least two played games, a score margin of at least 2 points, and one clear leader; tied leaders leave the title blank. Your score is shown first.
Players are linked by FIDE ID where available. Exact unique name and federation matches may connect records without an ID. Five older entries with different federations have been linked following organiser confirmation. Ratings show their source and verification date. Missing ratings are shown as a dash, never zero.
SCA STUDENTS & COMMUNITY
The power ranking.
Celebrate progress. Find your next milestone.
| Rank | Player | FIDE ID | Standard | Change vs September |
|---|
Includes enrolled students, alumni and FIDE-only participants from the SCA list. Select a group to narrow the ranking. Equal ratings share a rank; unrated entries are unranked. Changes compare the current and previous monthly lists, not the previous week. This is a dated snapshot, not an automatic live feed.
READY FOR THE NEXT ROUND
Good chess starts
with clear rules.
The current PTM format, plus everything you need for 17 October.
45 minutes per player, plus 10 seconds after every move.
No draw offers before move 40.
Bring a pen. Scoresheets are supplied.
At the board
Ratings & pairings
This tournament is not FIDE-rated. FIDE Standard ratings are used for pairings; Rapid or Blitz ratings are used when no Standard rating is available. FIDE Rules of Chess apply.
Recording moves
Record your moves until your remaining time drops below five minutes. The supplied event notice asks players to confirm with an arbiter before stopping. Follow the Chief Arbiter’s event briefing.
Tie-breaks & play-off
The published order is points, direct encounter, Median Buchholz, Buchholz, then progressive score.
The notice states that if points and tie-breaks 1–3 remain tied, the first and second placed players play a sudden-death play-off. The notice does not specify the play-off time control or draw procedure; these must be announced by the Chief Arbiter.
Play-off window: 17:15–17:30, if required. Awards follow the play-off.
Fair play & tournament etiquette
Keep the playing hall quiet. Respect opponents, arbiters and staff. Direct rules questions and disputes to the arbiter. Check the tournament group for updates and corrections to player details.
Prizes
A trophy for the winner, medals for the top three, and certificates for the top five.
Questions? Use the tournament WeChat group or support@scachess.com.