2026 March BAC Real FIDE Championship (Cupertino)
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About This Tournament
💲2026 BAC REAL FIDE Championship ♟️
Join us for another BAC REAL FIDE Championship! Space is limited: only 58 seats available! Whether you're playing for rating, prizes, or practice, we’d love to see you at the boards!
📅 Event Overview
Dates: March 13–15, 2026
Format: Swiss, 6 rounds
Eligibility: Open to all
Rating Supplement: March 2026
Requirement: Active USCF ID
⏱️ Schedule
Option | Day / Time |
|---|---|
3-day option | Fri 6:30 PM; Sat 9:30 AM, 1:50 PM, 6:10 PM; Sun 9:30 AM, 2:00 PM |
2-day option | Sat 9:00 AM, 11:20 AM, 1:50 PM, 6:10 PM; Sun 9:30 AM, 2:00 PM |
Note: | Players in both schedules will merge in Round 3 (1:50 PM) and compete for the same prizes |
⏱️ Time Controls
Option | Rounds | Time Control |
|---|---|---|
3-day option | All rounds | G/90 +30 |
2-day option | Rounds 1–2 | G/55 d5 |
Rounds 3–6 | G/90 +30 |
🎯 Sections
Rating Range | Rated |
|---|---|
1800+ | USCF & FIDE |
1400–1799 | USCF & FIDE |
Unrated & under 1400 | USCF only |
💵 Entry & Fees
Regular entry: $148
Econ entry: $111 — eligible for 50% of prizes
Important: If you do not select a registration tier (Regular or Econ), the system will automatically choose the Econ entry fee. Select Regular if you want to be eligible for the full prizes.
Play-up Fee: +$28 (if you choose to play up one section)
Membership Discount: Sign in with the email associated with your BAC membership to receive any applicable discount.
Bundle CashBack: Get $10 cashback when you also register for Blitz (cashback processed within 7 days of the tournament).
Online late fee: +$30 (may start on March 12th or when reaching capacity)
Onsite entry fee: +$33 (subject to availability, no membership discount)
🆙 Play-up Rules
Players may play up one section only.
Double play-up is not allowed.
Unrated players may play up to any section.
⏸️ Bye Rules
½-point byes available for any round. Maximum of 3 byes.
0-point byes available for any round (players must play at least half the rounds to be eligible for prizes).
Note: Changes to the last two rounds' byes after Round 3 starts, or playing in fewer than 3 rounds, will result in any earned prize money being donated to BAC.
💰 Prizes — $4,000 Guaranteed
Unrated players: Maximum prize $200 (except in the top section).
Small sections may be merged.
Players who withdraw during the tournament are not eligible for prize money.
Section prize tables:
Section | Eligibility | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1800+ | All | $500 | $200 | $170 |
u2000 | $300 | $170 | — |
Section | Eligibility | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1400–1799 | All | $500 | $200 | $160 |
u1600 | $300 | $170 | — |
Section | Eligibility | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Under 1400 | All | $500 | $200 | $160 |
u1200 | $300 | $170 | — |
🔄 Changes, Withdrawals & Refunds
All requests (including withdrawal or schedule changes) must be submitted at: bayareachess.com/request.
Changes (date/reschedule, player, etc.):
By March 11: $7 fee
After March 11: $15 fee
After the tournament has started: No rescheduling or refund
Withdrawals (partial refund):
By March 11: $7 + 4% processing fee deducted
After March 11: $20 or 50% (whichever is lower) + 4% processing fee deducted
After the tournament has started: No refund
ℹ️ Additional Information
Boards and pieces provided.
Notation: Required
Clocks: Optional — you may bring your own. Please know how to set your clock.
Food & Drink: Only water allowed in the playing area.
Spectators: Only players allowed in the playing area; spectators will be asked to wait outside the playing room when games are about to start.
📧 Questions / Contact
Email: events@bayareachess.com 📧
Chat / WhatsApp: bayareachess.com/askbac 💬
Good luck and enjoy the games! 🏅🎉
2026 March BAC Real FIDE Championship (Cupertino)
Mar 13-15, 2026
$83.00-$148.00 USD