2021 U.S. Class Chess Championships
July 23 - 25, 2021
2021 U.S. CLASS CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS
A US CHESS NATIONAL EVENT!
July 23 - 25, 2021
Houston, TX
$12,500 Prize Fund Guaranteed - GPP: 30
3 or 2-Day Schedule Available
G/90 + 30-second increment
(2-Day Schedule, Games 1 & 2 - G/60, 10-second delay)
MASTER & EXPERT are FIDE RATED using FIDE Rules
July 2021 Rating Supplement used for pairings and Prizes
Free entry for GMs and WGMs. IMs and WIMs also get free entry, but will be deducted from winnings.
PLEASE BRING YOUR CHESS SET AND CLOCK. THOSE ARE NOT PROVIDED BY THE TOURNAMENT ORGANIZERS. FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, THERE WILL BE A CHESS STORE ON LOCATION SELLING CHESS RELATED ITEMS BEFORE THE START OF THE 2-DAY AND 3-DAY SCHEDULES.
* * * * * * * *
SPECTATOR POLICY
SPECTATORS (NON-PLAYING INDIVIDUALS) WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE TOURNAMENT ROOM DURING TOURNAMENT PLAY. PLAYERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR GAMES MAY STAY IN THE TOURNAMENT ROOM TO WATCH OTHER GAMES UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THEY LEAVE THE PLAYING HALL, AT WHICH POINT THEY ARE CONSIDERED SPECTATORS AND MAY NOT RE-ENTER THE TOURNAMENT HALL UNTIL THE NEXT ROUND.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION
LOCATION
DoubleTree by Hilton
15747 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Houston, TX 77032
(take the JFK exit off of Beltway 8 in north Houston near IAH Airport)
- Complimentary Hotel Self-Parking;
- Free Shuttle Service from Bush Int'l (IAH) Airport to/from Hotel - please call hotel for pick-up service (281-848-4000);
- Basic Internet in Each Room!
- Discounted Hot Breakfast Coupons for hotel guests ($12, exclusive of tax and gratuity)
SPECIAL HOTEL CHESS RATE: $89 & applicable tax
NOTE: PLEASE RESERVE BY JUNE 21 TO ASSURE GROUP RATE. THEREAFTER, RESERVATIONS WILL BE TAKEN BASED ON AVAILABILITY AND PREVAILING RATE.
To Reserve your Hotel Room on line, please click on:
2021 U.S. Class Chess Championships DoubleTree by Hilton Reservations
BE SURE TO PUT "LSO" IN THE GROUP CODE BOX OR YOU WILL NOT GET THE SPECIAL CHESS RATE OF $89 PER NIGHT!
To Reserve your Hotel Room by Phone:
Please call the hotel's direct line at
281-848-4000
and mention U.S. Class Chess Championships, Code "LSO."
SECTIONS & PRIZES
(Players may play up one Class only!)
MASTER (2200+, FIDE Rated*): $1700 - $800 - $500 - $300 - $200
EXPERT (2000 - 2199, FIDE Rated): $1000 - $700 - $350 - $200
CLASS A (1800 - 1999): $750 - $400 - $250 - $150
CLASS B (1600 - 1799): $750 - $400 - $250 - $150
CLASS C (1400 - 1599): $750 - $400 - $250 - $150
CLASS D (1200 - 1399): $500 - $300 - $150 - $100
CLASS E (Under 1200): $500 - $300 - $150 - $100
* Games 1 & 2 of 2-Day Schedule of Master and Expert Section are not FIDE rated
Each Section Champion also gets a Champion's Plaque. In case of ties for first place, the plaque winner will be determined on tie-breaks (MSCO).
Unrated players may only play in any section, except the Master and Expert, but are limited to 50% of prize awarded. There is no such prize limitation if the US Chess Unrated player has a FIDE rating which, when converted to US Chess rating places the player in a Class. See Section 2.7 of The US Chess Rating System . In that instance, they are allowed in the Master or Expert Section (if their rating allows).
In the event of a tie, plaque winners will be determined by US Chess-recommended tiebreaks (MSCO).
SCHEDULES & ROUND TIMES
3-Day Schedule
On-site Registration: Friday (7/23) from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Friday, July 23: 7:30pm
Saturday, July 24: 10am & 5pm
Sunday, July 25: 9:30am & 4pm
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2-Day Schedule
On-site Registration: Saturday (7/24) from 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Saturday, July 24: 10am & 1:30pm, then merges with 3-Day Schedule for Round 3 at 5pm
PAIRINGS, RESULTS, STANDINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING LINK:
TRANSMISSION OF TOP GAMES WILL BE AVAILABE AT: TBD
BYES
Two 1/2-point byes are available for any round. You must advise the Chief Tournament Director and commit to any byes prior to the beginning of Round 3. After the start of Round 3, no voluntary byes may be added, changed or rescinded.
ENTRY FEES
Titled Players: GMs, IMs, WGMs, and WIMs pay no Entry Fee; however, for IMs and WIMs the regular early Entry Fee ($95) will be deducted from any winnings. IF YOU ARE A TITLED PLAYER, register online normally. The entry fee amount is adjusted with the title.REGISTRATION FOR TITLED PLAYERS (GM, IM, WGM, WIM) - $0
Master, Expert, Class A, B and C:
$95 by 7/12; $105 by 7/19; $115 by 7/22, $120 after 7/22 or on site.
Class D and E sections (all, including Juniors, Seniors and Unrated):
$69 by 7/12, $79 by 7/19, $89 by 7/22, $99 after 7/22 or on site.
RE-ENTRY FEE : $50
Re-entry is available prior to the start of Round 3.
Refunds requested on July 23rd are subject to a $10 Fee, deducted from paid amount. No refunds after one hour prior to the start of the respective schedule.
ELECTRONIC NOTATION DEVICES
The only three electronic chess notation devices that will be allowed are the Monroi, Plycounter and the Chess NoteR. You may use any of these devices, but the device must remain on top of the table at all times (you may not hold it under the table in your lap or under the tablecloth). The tournament director has the right to request to see your notation device at any time before, during or after your game. In addition to these three devices, the tournament organizer may use DGT boards in the top boards of the Master Section.
On-line: You may register with a credit card on-line. See button for link at the upper left or bottom left of this page.
ON-SITE REGISTRATION
Friday, July 23 - 5:30PM - 7PM
Saturday, July 24 - 8:30AM - 9:30AM
On-line registration will close at 10 PM on Friday, July 23, 2021, but only registration for the 2-Day Schedule after 3PM.
COVID-19 Procedures
PLEASE READ THE PROCEDURES IN THIS LINK: 2021 U.S. Class COVID-19 Procedures and Waiver Form
It is the responsibility of every player, and parents of minor children, to determine the potential risks and participation in over-the-board chess tournaments. Ultimately, is is an individual decision on whether or not to play. Although the organizers make the tournament available to chess players, it is up to the individual and/or parents to decide if they want to participate in the event. To that end, participants and/or parents are required to abide by the COVID-19 tournament and hotel rules to include the wearing of masks. In order to register, participants (if minors, parents who register the player) are required to read these procedures and check the COVID-19 Procedures box on the registration page. Those who register on-site will be required to sign the form in order to register.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For questions or more info, please call 713-530-7820
OR email