About the Tournament

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The University Battle of Alberta is an annual weekend event that takes place between mid January and mid February. 

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Since 2009, members the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge Chess Clubs have gathered in Calgary or Edmonton to enjoy an event that is both competitive and social.  Non-university community members have always been welcome to join and have been a big part of the event.

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The tournament is comprised of active games and is unrated to keep costs low (and encourage participation).  The top four performances of the tournament by university players count towards their team score.  There is no limit to how many players a university can bring (again, encouraging participation).​

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Games end early on the Saturday  evening to make time for a group meal at a restaurant.  Normally some of the students from the host city will offer places in their homes for members of visiting teams (though often it is deemed easier to stay at a hotel close to the tournament site). 

2014 saw the first year of participation by Calgary's Mount Royal University.  It was also the first year the tournament was held within university facilities, with Mount Royal acting as a host (previously tournaments took place at the Calgary or Edmonton Chess Clubs).  

The 2016 tournament sees Edmonton's MacEwan University participating for the first time.  It is also the first time the University of Alberta will host the tournament within its facilities.