BayAreaChess Open Cash Day $Swiss
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About This Tournament
🏆 Cash Day Swiss — USCF-Rated Cash-Prize Event
We invite adult and advanced youth players to join our USCF-rated Cash Day Swiss. This is a four-round Swiss event with G/60 d5 time control, sections based on the published USChess rating supplement, and substantial cash prizes. Whether you’re chasing prize money or competitive practice, we’d love to see you at the board! ♟️
📅 Registration & Deadlines
Online registration closes: 12:00 a.m. the day of the tournament.
Onsite registration: Available subject to capacity (additional onsite fee applies).
Late fee: A $20 late fee may be applied beginning one day before the tournament or when the event reaches capacity.
USCF membership: Must be active to play.
For registration changes: Change Form ℹ️
⏱️ Schedule & Time Control
Round | Start Time |
|---|---|
Round 1 | 9:30 a.m. |
Round 2 | 12:00 p.m. |
Round 3 | 2:30 p.m. |
Round 4 | 5:00 p.m. |
Item | Detail |
|---|---|
Time Control | G/60 d5 (game/60 minutes with 5s delay; four rounds) |
♟️ Sections & Rating Rules
Players will be placed by their published USChess rating (supplement for the event) into one of these sections:
Section | Rating Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
1800+ | 1800 and above | Highest section |
1400–1799 | 1400–1799 | |
1000–1399 | 1000–1399 | |
Under 1000 | Below 1000 | Unrated players placed here |
Additional policies:
A player may pay to play one section higher when the rating difference is within a 300-point range. Double play-up is not allowed.
Eligibility for the highest section requires a published USChess rating within 200 points of that section.
Small sections may be merged at the director’s discretion.
🎯 Byes
Half-point byes: Up to 2 half-point byes allowed. Request at least 1 hour before that round’s start, except the last-round bye. The last-round bye must be requested no later than the start of Round 3.
Zero-point byes: Available for any round.
Prize eligibility: Players must play at least 2 rounds to be eligible for prizes.
💰 Prize Fund & Distribution
Prize Fund: $1,000 based on 32 entries (50% guaranteed).
Econ entries: Winners receive 50% of the calculated prize.
Unrated winners: Maximum $60 (except in the top section).
Withdrawals: Players who withdraw during the tournament are not eligible for prize money.
Payment methods: Prizes paid by check (mail), PayPal, or Zelle.
Section prize breakdown:
Section | 1st Place | 2nd Place |
|---|---|---|
1800+ | $200 | $60 |
1400–1799 | $100 | $60 |
1000–1399 | $100 | $60 |
Under 1000 | $100 | $60 |
Class prizes (additional):
Class | 1st Place |
|---|---|
U2000 | $100 |
U1600 | $100 |
U1200 | $60 |
🧾 Entry Fees
Item | Fee |
|---|---|
Regular entry | $59 |
Econ entry | $44 |
Play-up fee | +$17 |
Onsite fee | +$23 (applies when registering onsite) |
Membership discount | BayAreaChess subscribers: More info. Not redeemable onsite. |
🔄 Withdrawals & Refunds
Withdrawals before the tournament day may receive a partial refund, subject to a 4% processing fee.
Withdrawals on the tournament day are not eligible for a refund.
Players who withdraw during the event forfeit prize eligibility.
🔁 Change Requests & Fees
Timing | Fee |
|---|---|
Until 2 days before the event | $7 change fee |
1 day before the event | $15 change fee |
Fee exemptions (no change fee):
Playing up to a higher section
Requesting byes
ℹ️ Additional Information & Contact
Event details and policies: Cash Day Info ♟️
Change requests: Change Form
For questions: 📧 events@bayareachess.com
We look forward to your participation — good luck and enjoy the competition! 🏅
BayAreaChess Open Cash Day $Swiss
Jan 31, 2026
$44.00-$76.00 USD