2026 Vermont State Championship and Fall Tournament is October 24th in Middlebury, Vermont

2026 Stick Season Self-Paired

Saturday, November 21, 2026 · Burlington, Vermont

NOTE: Preregistration and an up-to-date AGA membership are required! See registration in 2 easy steps below!

Event Details

Date/Time

Saturday, November 21st, 2026 @ 10:00 AM

Location

Fletcher Free Library
Fletcher Room
235 College Street
Burlington, Vermont 05401

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Fletcher Free Library

The Fletcher Free Library is the public library serving Burlington, Vermont. It is located at 235 College Street, in an architecturally distinguished Beaux-Arts building, constructed in 1902 with funding support from Andrew Carnegie. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Parking

Paid public and private lots and garages, as well as metered on-street spaces, are available in multiple locations around the venue. Be mindful of No Parking signs, and remember to lock your doors and remove all valuables from your vehicles. There are also free on-street spaces a few blocks away on Maple Street and Adams Street, but availability varies based on time of day, as these are residential streets. For more options, you can visit the Downtown Burlington Parking website.

Fletcher Room

Once you have parked, enter the Fletcher Free Library from College Street. The tournament will take place in The Fletcher Room. There are restrooms available, and library staff can help you find your way.

Schedule

10:00 AM Venue opens for setup
10:30 AM suggested start of game 1
1:00 PM suggested start of game 2
3:00 PM suggested start of game 3
After all the games are over, we will hold a drawing for prizes. You must play at least one game to be eligible for the prize drawing.
All games must finish by 5:30 PM! The Library closes at 6:00 PM.

Entry Fee

Free!

This is a free event. You are welcome to make donations directly to the Fletcher Free Library.

Format

Self-Paired, AGA-Rated
Players choose who to play, time settings, and the handicap. We recommend assigning appropriate handicaps based on the rating difference. See TD if you need help.
Players must record the results of each game (sheets provided) and return them to the TD before the end of the event.
You can play as few or as many games as time allows.
You can arrive whenever you like. See the schedule for suggested game start times to ensure you have available opponents.
You may play the same opponent more than once, but please consider playing others if they have not had a chance to play.

Time Control

Fischer Bonus Time
Recommended minimum: 25 minutes main time + 15 seconds added per move
See the "How to set the game clocks" video below

Rules

Japanese rules
6.5 komi for even games
0.5 komi for handicap games

Divisions

Self-Paired

The Self-Paired Division is open to all AGA members, and we suggest normal handicaps for all games. Handicap should be based on the difference in rating/rank. Ask TD if you have questions.

Food/Drinks

The organizers will provide a few light snacks and beverages. Lunch is not provided; however, several food establishments are within walking distance of the venue.

Nearby food spots:

Church Street Marketplace offers several dining options.

The Downtown City Market Co-op features a hot bar, salad bar, deli, and a variety of grab-and-go options.

Here is a list of additional restaurants in Burlington.

Note: Games can run long, restaurant wait times may be long, and we must finish our games before 5:30 PM. It may be a good idea to order to-go; otherwise, we recommend bringing your own lunch.

Hotels and Lodging

There are several hotels, motels, resorts, and B&Bs in and around Burlington, Vermont. If you search a wider area, there are usually cheaper options within a 45-minute drive. While we don't have a list of recommendations, here are a few links to help in your search for accommodations:

Hello Burlington

Google Travel

Airbnb