11th Annual Potomac Open

11th Annual Potomac Open 
July 19-21, 2024
Rockville, Maryland

Registration Page

 

Championship, U2300, U2100, U1900, U1700, U1500: 5SS, Rnd 1 Game/90+inc/30, Rnds 2-5, Game/110 inc/30 -- (2-day schedule: Rnds 1-2 Game/45 inc/30)
U1250 and U1000: 5SS, Game/90 d/5 with Rnds 1-2 at Game/45 d/5;
U1250 3-day schedule: all rounds Game/90 d/5

Playing Site

Rockville Hilton,1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD

We aim to create a pleasant environment for playing chess. Below are the answers we received at a previous tournament to the question of what do we do better than other tournaments.
 

Tournament Features

• We pair rounds as early as possible and start rounds on time→ You have time to get ready and don't have to waste your time waiting for the round to start
• Players like the way we run our events→ Survey results from a previous Maryland Open
• 30" increment time control in the top six sections → No more clock smashing scrambles at the end of the game.
• Score-based prizes → See the advantages below.
• Additional 1st place prizes to clear first when there is no 5-0 player in the section, added to your score prize→ More prize money
• Clocks provided in ALL sections → All you need to do is show up.
• Minimum ratings to play in the top six sections → Less mismatch games.
• Sets and board provided for everyone→ No more carrying around pieces and a board, just bring a clock.
• Free Sunday morning Continental breakfast → Relax, have some coffee and a danish before you start your game.
• Texting or emailing of pairings to your cell phone available → No rush at the pairing chart before the round
• $128/$128 per night room rate → Relax and stay at the tournament hotel. $5 EF discount if staying at hotel. Reserve a room
• Hotel next to DC Metro stop→ Take the Metro directly to the tournament.
• Shorter time controls in lower sections → Less waiting around between rounds.

Prizes

This tournament will pay prizes based solely on your final score. All the prizes are guaranteed. If the total pay out in the Open section is less than $1500, extra money will be added to the pay out of the top score group to bring the total to $1500.

Advantages over place-based scoring

Less Waiting

Your score determines your prize. Once you finish your last game, you can receive a check.

Less Uncertainty

Your prize does not get lowered if others tie with you. For example, if there are two 5-0 players, both receive the full amount for 5-0.

Less short draws

The total payout is always higher when games are decisive.

Championship (minimum rating 2100)  - $1750  $900  $500  $190  $55  (FIDE rated)
Under 2300 (minimum rating  2000)     -  $1650  $800  $400  $170  $45  (FIDE rated) 
Under 2100 (minimum rating  1700)     -  $1650  $800  $450  $170  $45  (FIDE rated) 
Under 1900 (minimum rating 1500)      -  $1300  $700  $350  $125
Under 1700 (minimum rating 1300)      -  $1300  $650  $330  $110
Under 1500 (min rating 1100 or unr)    -  $1100  $550  $275  $110
Under 1250 (or unrated)                         -  $500    $250  $125  $50
Under 1000 (only 2-day, no adult unr)  -  $250     $125   $50    $20   (Trophies to top 5 and top U800)

Adult Unrated may not enter U1000. All unrateds and are limited to a maximum prize of $100 in the U1000, $200 in the U1250, and $400 in the U1500 section. Balance goes to player(s) with same score or is divided among players in next lower score group.

Entrance Fees

Early (online or mail by 7/5) $124
Regular (online or mail by 7/16 $134
Late (online by 7/19) $139
At-the-door (cash or credit card) $150.

Special Entrance Fees

Under 1250 section: all entrance fees $45 less.
Under 1000: all entrance fees $65 less. 
Free early entrance to GMs.  nothing will be subtracted from any prizes.
$45 discount EF for IMs. nothing will be subtracted from any prizes.

$5 discount if staying at hotel.

 

Mail Registrations to:
Maryland Chess Assn.
1827 Thornton Ridge Road
Towson, MD 21204

Mailed registrations should include name, section, schedule(2-day or 3-day). The chief TD for the tournament will be Mike Regan. If you have any questions about the tournament email him at Click here to show mail address.

Advance Registrations

Schedules

3-day schedule Champ - U1500: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Saturday 11am and 5:30, Sunday 9:30 am and 3:30.
2-day schedule Champ - U1500: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Saturday 11am, 2:15 and 5:30, Sunday 9:30 am and 3:30.
U1000 and U1250 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Saturday 11, 1:00 and 3:00, Sunday 9:30 am and 12:45 pm.
U1250 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Friday 7 pm, Saturday 11 and 3:00, Sunday 9:30 am and 12:45 pm.

Byes

Half point byes: all must commit before rd 3

Reentries:

all, $80 except U1000 and U1250 $40. You can reenter any schedule taking 1/2 point byes for unplayed games. If you reenter with a single 1/2 point bye, the cost is $70/$35. If you reenter with two 1/2 point byes, the cost is $60/$30.

Hotel Rates: $128 per night! $5 EF discount if staying at hotel. Reserve a room

Parking : $8 for day guest and $15 overnight. Parking is free in Metro parking lot over the weekend.

Rooms are limited. So make your reservations early.

Rule Variations 

• In sections that the organizer provides clocks, if both players are not present at the start of the round, the tournament director will start white's clock.
• Any player forfeiting a round must pay a $50 fine before being allowed to play in a future tournament organized by MCA or Baltimore Chess.
• The electronic score keeping devices, ChessNoteR and eNotate, cannot be used at this tournament.
• All players with provisional ratings will have 100 points added to their rating for determining section eligibility
• Players with byes who are eligible to play in a lower section that also has a bye player may get paired in that section as a house player. They will still have the bye for standings in their original section. The game in the lower section does count for standings and must be played.