Document
 
TOURNAMENT / COMPETITION
Tango Cafe Trophy
General Rules of the Tournament
Introduction
  •    Tango Cafe Trophy (hereinafter referred to as the Tournament) is organized by Tango Cafe and Maksim Gerasimov Team (hereinafter referred to as the Organizer).
    •    The Tournament is open to all participants in Argentine tango.
    •    Tango Cafe Trophy is a competition where participants compete against each other.
    •    The Tournament is held in the following categories:
    1.    Am/Am Couples
    2.    Pro/Am Couples
    3.    Solo Show Performances
    4.    Group Show Performances
  •     •    The Tournament includes figures only of specific difficulty levels indicated in the registration form.
Tournament Participants
    •    Pro – a dancer or instructor (professional), a full-time teacher at a dance club, a dancer/instructor recognized by the Organizer who works independently, or anyone partnering with a Student/participant.
    •    Am – a student or amateur who competes, performs, and practices dance exclusively as a hobby.

Types of couples and duets:
1.    Pro/Am – couples consisting of a professional and a student.
2.    Am/Am – couples consisting of two amateurs of different genders.
3.    Duets – two people of different or the same gender. Duets may participate only in categories designated specifically for duets.
Classification
Types of competitions:
    1.    Single Dance – competition in one specific dance with division by age groups; counted as one round/appearance.
    2.    Multi Dance – competition based on the total of two or more dances with division by age groups; regardless of the number of dances included, it is counted as one round/appearance.

Age categories:
    1.    “A” – 16–35 years
    2.    “B” – 36–50 years
    3.    “C” – 51–60 years
    4.    “D” – 61 years and older

Difficulty Levels*
    1.    Newcomer (up to 6 months of dance training)
    2.    Bronze (0–2 years of dance training)
    3.    Silver (1–3 years of dance training)
    4.    Gold (3–4 years of dance training)
    5.    Gold Star (more than 4 years of dance training)
    6.    Scholarship (more than 5 years of dance training)

*The list of permitted figures for each level is provided in a separate section.

Levels may be divided into:
    1.    Beginner
    2.    Intermediate
    3.    Full
    4.    Open
Officials
 1.    Tournament Organizer
    2.    Judges recognized by the Organizer
    3.    Scrutineering Committee
    4.    Master of Ceremonies
    5.    Registration Team
    6.    Awarding Team
    7.    DJ
Payment
Participation fees are determined separately for each tournament and are indicated on the registration form, website, or other official sources of the Organizer.
Judging Principles
The Tournament includes the following rounds:
    •    Final – 6 couples
    •    Semi-final – 12 couples
    •    Quarter-final – 24 couples, etc.

Judging is carried out by the judging panel based on the total number of points awarded. Participants receiving the highest number of points advance to the next round according to the maximum number of placements allowed at that stage.
Tango Cafe 5 dance Trophy
A unique category consisting of five dances, where the cumulative score determines the winner of the category.

Order of dances in preliminary rounds and final:
    1.    Tango with Carlos di Sarli Orchestra
    2.    Tango Vals
    3.    Tango with Juan d’Arienzo Orchestra
    4.    Milonga
    5.    Tango with Osvaldo Pugliese Orchestra

The winner receives a cash prize, a trophy, and a diploma.

Judging is conducted by a panel of judges based on the total number of points awarded. Participants with the highest number of points advance to the next round according to the maximum number of placements allowed at that stage.
Registration Requirements
    1.    Registration is the responsibility of the Tournament participants.
    2.    Registration is completed via an electronic registration form.
    3.    Registration is considered valid only after payment of the registration fee and all required charges.
    4.    Participants may register in no more than two adjacent difficulty levels.
    5.    Participants in age categories “B,” “C,” and “D” may compete in their own age group as well as in younger age groups.
    6.    Changes to registration or withdrawal are possible no later than April 15, 2026. After this date, fees are non-refundable.
Participant's Conduct
    1.    While present at the venue, participants must behave respectfully toward all participants, spectators, and organizers.
    2.    Participants must be in the competition hall and ready to perform 30 minutes before the start time of their heat, as indicated in the program. The Organizer reserves the right not to delay the schedule for late participants.
    3.    Participants must accept judges’ scores as final; scores are not subject to appeal.
    4.    If a couple/duet does not appear at the Tournament, the Organizer is not obliged to refund the registration fee or transfer it to a future competition.
Conflict Resolution
All rules listed above are mandatory for participants and officials. In the event of a conflict, the parties shall seek to resolve it amicably in cooperation with the Organizer.
Permitted Elements According to Difficulty Levels
Difficulty Level
Sub-Level
Style – Salon
Style – Free Style

Newcomer

  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cunita
  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cunita

Bronze

Beginner

  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cunita
  4. Ocho
  5. Cruzadas
  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cunita
  4. Ocho
  5. Cruzadas

Intermediate

  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cunita
  4. Ocho
  5. Cruzadas
  6. Ocho cortado
  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cunita
  4. Ocho
  5. Cruzadas
  6. Ocho cortado

Full

  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cunita
  4. Ocho
  5. Cruzadas
  6. Ocho cortado
  7. Parada
  8. Sandwich
  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cunita
  4. Ocho
  5. Cruzadas
  6. Ocho cortado
  7. Parada
  8. Sandwich
Silver

Beginner

  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cruzadas
  4. Cunita
  5. Ocho
  6. Ocho cortado
  7. Parada
  8. Sandwich
  9. Medio giro
  10. Barridas
  11. Calesita
  12. Planeo
  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cruzadas
  4. Cunita
  5. Ocho
  6. Ocho cortado
  7. Parada
  8. Sandwich
  9. Medio giro
  10. Barridas
  11. Calesita
  12. Planeo

Intermediate

  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cruzadas
  4. Cunita
  5. Ocho
  6. Ocho cortado
  7. Parada
  8. Sandwich
  9. Medio giro
  10. Barridas
  11. Calesita
  12. Planeo
  13. Boleo
  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cruzadas
  4. Cunita
  5. Ocho
  6. Ocho cortado
  7. Parada
  8. Sandwich
  9. Medio giro
  10. Barridas
  11. Calesita
  12. Planeo
  13. Boleo

Full

  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cruzadas
  4. Cunita
  5. Ocho
  6. Ocho cortado
  7. Parada
  8. Sandwich
  9. Medio giro
  10. Barridas
  11. Calesita
  12. Planeo
  13. Adornos
  14. Giro
  15. Boleo
  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cruzadas
  4. Cunita
  5. Ocho
  6. Ocho cortado
  7. Parada
  8. Sandwich
  9. Medio giro
  10. Barridas
  11. Calesita
  12. Planeo
  13. Adornos
  14. Giro
  15. Boleo
Gold

Intermediate

  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cruzadas
  4. Cunita
  5. Ocho
  6. Ocho cortado
  7. Parada
  8. Sandwich
  9. Medio giro
  10. Barridas
  11. Calesita
  12. Planeo
  13. Adornos
  14. Giro
  15. Sacadas
  16. Boleo
  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cruzadas
  4. Cunita
  5. Ocho
  6. Ocho cortado
  7. Parada
  8. Sandwich
  9. Medio giro
  10. Barridas
  11. Calesita
  12. Planeo
  13. Adornos
  14. Giro
  15. Sacadas
  16. Boleo

Full

  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cruzadas
  4. Cunita
  5. Ocho
  6. Ocho cortado
  7. Parada
  8. Sandwich
  9. Medio giro
  10. Barridas
  11. Calesita
  12. Planeo
  13. Adornos
  14. Giro
  15. Sacadas
  16. Boleo
  17. Gancho
  1. Caminadas
  2. Baldosa 6 (Paso Basico)
  3. Cruzadas
  4. Cunita
  5. Ocho
  6. Ocho cortado
  7. Parada
  8. Sandwich
  9. Medio giro
  10. Barridas
  11. Calesita
  12. Planeo
  13. Adornos
  14. Giro
  15. Sacadas
  16. Boleo
  17. Gancho
  18. Volcada
  19. Colgada
  20. Soltada
  21. Piernazos
Open

There are no restrictions, except as described in the section “Style Specifications.”

There are no restrictions, except as described in the section “Style Specifications.”

Style Specifications
Argentine Tango – Style: Salon

Performed predominantly in a close embrace. The couple may not break the embrace.
In certain figures, while executing turns and other movements, the embrace may transition from close to open (while maintaining hand contact), but not for the entire duration of the dance.

All movements must be executed within the space of the couple’s embrace.
The couple may use all figures within the framework of the above-mentioned rules.

Figures typical of stage tango, such as jumps, lifts, and acrobatic tricks, are prohibited.

Competing couples must follow the line of dance in a counterclockwise direction and may not remain in one spot.

Neither partner may raise their leg above knee level.

Argentine Tango – Style: Free Style

Tango Free Style is an integration of various styles of Argentine Tango. Different types of embrace are allowed. Hands may be used in leading.

Figures performed outside the space of the couple’s embrace are permitted, including high boleos, ganchos, deep colgadas and volcadas, complex sacadas, as well as soltadas.

The use of show elements such as lifts and jumps is prohibited. Couples may not use movements, figures, or steps that do not belong to traditional tango.
Costume Recommendations
For the Leader

    •    A jacket is mandatory; a full suit is preferred.
    •    It is recommended to avoid bright-colored fabrics.
    •    Shoes designed for Argentine tango.
    •    The use of rhinestones and decorative elements not related to a classic suit is prohibited.

For the Follower

  • A dress or a skirt with a top or blouse.
  • The minimum skirt/dress length must not be more than 10 cm above the knee line.
  • Slits are allowed provided they do not reveal underwear.
  • Shoes designed for Argentine tango.
  • The use of trousers, pantsuits, and jumpsuits is prohibited.
Tango Barre
Show for a group and for solo performance
Difficulty Level
Element Restrictions

Bronze

Prohibited:

  1. Any leg swings above hip level
  2. Helicopter
  3. Jumps
  4. More than two rotations on one leg
Silver

Prohibited:

  1. Helicopter
  2. Jumps
Gold

No restrictions on elements

Costume Recommendations
For Female Participants
    •    A dress or a skirt with a top or blouse.
    •    The minimum skirt/dress length must not be more than 10 cm above the knee line.
    •    Slits are permitted provided they do not reveal underwear.
    •    Shoes designed for Argentine tango.
    •    The use of trousers, pantsuits, and jumpsuits is prohibited.