📅 Round Times 🕒 ♟️

💰 Sections & Prizes 🏆

🎯 Prize Notes ℹ️

Total prize fund: $1,000 (based on 32 entries; 50% guaranteed).

Econ entries: win 50% of the calculated prize.

Unrated players: maximum prize $60 (except in the top section).

Small sections may be merged.

A player who withdraws during the tournament is not eligible for prize money.

Players must play at least 2 rounds to be eligible for prizes.

♟️ Play-Up Rules 🔼

Players are placed into sections based on March 2026 USCF Rating Supplement.

A player may play up to one higher section. Play-up fee: +$17.

To play up: rating supplement must be within 300 points of the rating cutoff for the higher section, and within 200 points for the highest section.

Double play-up is not allowed.

⏱️ Bye Rules 📝

½-point byes are available for any round (maximum 2).

Byes must be requested at least 1 hour before that round’s start, except last-round byes: last-round bye must be requested no later than before Round 3.

0-point byes are available for any round. A last-round 0-point bye is equivalent to withdrawing.

ℹ️ Other Important Notes 🚗🧾

A time control written as G/M dN means each player gets M minutes per game and a delay of N seconds per move (delay before the clock starts ticking).

All players must have a US Chess (USCF) ID to play.

Notation during the game is mandatory.

Clocks are not required, but we recommend you bring your own. BAC does not loan out clocks except during the last 10 minutes of the round. You must know how to set your own clock to the correct time control.

Econ players may upgrade to Regular before the tournament begins (a change fee and the balance difference will apply).

Only players are allowed in the playing area; spectators will be asked to wait outside the playing room when games are ready to start.

Changes or requests can be submitted at: bayareachess.com/request.

📧 Questions? Contact Us 🏅

Email: events@bayareachess.com

WhatsApp / chat: bayareachess.com/askbac

We’d love to see you at the board—good luck and have fun! 🎉♟️