UPDATE (3/12, 3:30pm): DUE TO UNEXPECTED CHANGES TO VENUE TIMINGS & SPACE AVAILABILITY, THE TOP TWO SECTIONS ARE NOW CLOSED AND THE BOTTOM SECTION IS NOW 5 ROUNDS. PLEASE REFER TO SCHEDULE BELOW.

IMPORTANT NOTE: 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.

💲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

Registration Deadline:

3-day option: March 13, 12:00 PM

2-day option: March 13, 11:59 PM

Format: Swiss, 6 rounds

Eligibility: Open to all

Rating Supplement: March 2026

Requirement: Active USCF ID

⏱️ Schedule

UPDATE:

SCHEDULE FOR 1400-1799 & 1800+ = 6 ROUNDS

SCHEDULE FOR under 1400 = 5 ROUNDS

⏱️ Time Controls

UPDATE:

TIME CONTROLS FOR 1400-1799 & 1800+ = 6 ROUNDS

TIME CONTROLS FOR under 1400 = 5 ROUNDS

🎯 Sections

💵 Fees

REMINDER: 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.

Regular entry: $148

Econ entry: $111 — eligible for 50% of 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:

🔄 Changes, Withdrawals & Refunds

All requests (including withdrawal or schedule changes) must be submitted at: bayareachess.com/request.

Changes (date/reschedule, player, etc.):

Withdrawals (partial 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! 🏅🎉