Tournament Details

Date and Time

  • Saturday August 16, 8:30am-2:00pm
  • Check-in starts at 8:30am and round 1 will start promptly at 9:00am
  • We make round 1 pairings at 8:50am
  • This means if you arrive after 8:50am you will get a bye in round 1 (you will not play a game in round 1)

Location

General Information

  • This tournament has 4 sections:
    • 2 unrated sections (more casual)
    • 2 rated sections (more serious)
  • This is a 4-Round Swiss Tournament
  • Each player will play 4 games (unless you arrive late and get a round 1 bye or there’s an odd number of players in your section and we have to use byes to make pairings)

Unrated Sections (More Casual)

  • The 2 unrated sections are meant for people who have never played in a chess tournament before and would like to get the experience of tournament play without it affecting their official chess rating.
    • Unrated – Novice (better for beginners)
    • Unrated – Open (better for more experienced players)
  • Games in this section are unrated. This means they are a little more casual. It also means that players DO NOT have to be members of the United States Chess Federation.
  • These sections may have to be merged if there are not enough participants in each section.

Rated Sections (More Serious)

  • Participants in this section MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES CHESS FEDERATION (USCF).
  • Joining the USCF requires a once a year payment that varies depending on age and other factors ($18-$45).
  • Click here for more info about joining the United States Chess Federation.
  • This is a 4-Round Swiss Tournament. Time Control: G/30 d/5 (30 minutes for each player with 5 second delay for each move)
  • There are 2 rated sections:
    • Rated – Novice (better for beginners)
    • Rated – Open (better for more experienced players)
  • These sections may have to be merged if there are not enough participants in each section.

Schedule Guidelines

  • Check-In: 8:30 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.
    • There is a strict cutoff for checking-in at 8:50 a.m. due to time needed to create pairings based on the people who show up.
    • If you are late checking-in you will have to take a first round bye.
  • First Round starts at 9:00 a.m.
  • With our time control (G/30 d/5) a game could last up to 1 hour and 15 minutes, but almost never does.
  • As a result, each round will end once all games in the section have finished (Typically before that 1 hour and 15 minutes).
  • We will then take a 5 minute break to get pairings set for the next round.
  • The next round will officially start 5 minutes after the end of the previous round.
  • That timing pattern will continue until all 4 rounds have completed.
  • By following this format it eliminates a lot of wasted time where people aren’t playing, and makes it possible for sections to finish before 2:00 p.m.
  • With all this in mind, it is recommended that people not leave campus during the tournament.
  • If you do, you might miss the beginning of the next round.
  • If a player is not present at the beginning of a round, their clock will run until they arrive.

Entry Fees

  • $10 for all players (unrated and rated sections)
  • We’ve decided to start charging an entry fee for 3 reasons:
    • Pay for renting the venue
    • Pay for better awards
    • Create an incentive for people who sign up to actually show up and play
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Awards

  • Top 3 finishers in each rated section will receive a certificate.
  • All players will receive a small keepsake to commemorate playing in the tournament.

Chess Sets and Chess Clocks

  • Chess sets are provided for all tournament games.
  • With the time control of this tournament a chess clock is not required, but you may bring one if you’d like (just please make sure it meets the standards of tournament play).
  • If you don’t have a chess clock that meets the standards of tournament play and would like to buy one, click here for a chess clock we recommend.
  • We do not get any money if you buy from this link. We just included it to help make your life easier.
  • To be clear, you do not have to bring a chess set or a chess clock. We will provide chess sets, and bringing a chess clock is optional.

Tournament Tips

We encourage anyone new to tournament chess to watch the following videos. It will help you prepare for what to expect on tournament day.

If you feel like you need a little more information to help bring you peace of mind on tournament day, we recommend clicking here to read this article.

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