19th Annual SPICE Cup Open

19th Annual SPICE Cup Open

November 19 - 24, 2025
Hilton Bellevue - 300 112th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98004

9SS, G/90; +30

$12,500 in prizes - Guaranteed. GM, IM, WGM, WIM norms are possible.

One section, minimum rating 2000 rating FIDE or 2200 USCF required.
November 2025 FIDE ratings will be used to determine pairings and prizes.

Prizes

$5000-3000-2000, Top U2450: $500-250 , Top U2300: $500-250.

Special prizes (which can be won in addition to place or class prize):

• Top Female: $500
• Top Senior (50+): $500
• Brilliancy Prize: $100

Limited free hotel accommodation available for GMs.  Players receiving conditions may not take any byes without express permission from the organizer.

All equipment (sets, boards, clocks) provided.

Anti-cheating measures will be strictly enforced.

Entry Fee

• GMs: Free entry.
• Foreign IMs: $250 by 9/15, $300 by 10/15, $350 after.
• USA Flag IMs: $395 by 9/15, $445 by 10/15, $495 after.
• Foreign FIDE-rated players (2000+): $395 by 9/15, $445 by 10/15, $495 after.
• US players 2200+ FIDE: $595 by 9/15, $645 by 10/15, $695 after.
• US players 2000-2199 FIDE: $895 by 9/15, $945 by 10/15, $995 after.

Entries

Register online at https://nwchess.com/OnlineRegistration/ or send registration form and payment to: Washington Chess Federation, 4174 148th Avenue NE, Building I, Suite M, Redmond, Washington 98052.   Limited space available; please register early.  Registration will stay open until capacity is reached or by the deadline of 11/18 at 12:00 PM (noon) PT.  Partial refunds (less PayPal fees + $20 processing fee) are available until the registration deadline.   For further information, email WCF President Josh Sinanan at [email protected] or call 206-769-3757.

Schedule

• Wednesday 11/19: Arrival & Check-in – 3:00-4:30 PM, Rd. 1 – 5:00 PM.
• Thursday 11/20: Rd. 2 – 10:00 AM, Rd. 3 – 4:00 PM.
• Friday 11/21: Rd. 4 – 10:00 AM, Rd. 5 – 4:00 PM.
• Saturday 11/22: Rd. 6 – 11:00 AM.
• Saturday 11/22: SPICE Cup Blitz Championship (9SS, G/3; +2) – 7:00 PM.
• Sunday 11/23: Rd. 7 – 11:00 AM, Rd. 8 – 5:00 PM.
• Monday 11/24: SPICE Cup Rapid Championship (5SS, G/15; +5) – 10:00 AM.
• Monday 11/24: Rd. 9 – 4:00 PM, Closing Ceremony – 8:00 PM or ASAP.

Bye Policy

Players may request up to two half-point byes in rounds 1-7 if announced by the start of the tournament.  Zero-point byes are available for any round.

Hotel Rates

$199 for a  King room or 2 Queens.  Complimentary guest room Wi-Fi and event day parking.  Discounted overnight parking of $18 per vehicle per night.  Many area restaurants within 1-2 miles of the hotel.  For online hotel reservations, use the booking link.  Group Code: WACFRL.  For phone reservations, call the hotel at 425-455-1300 and reference the Chess SPICE Cup.  Cut-off date for discounted hotel reservations is October 30, 2025.

Important notice for prize winners

All prizes will be paid within 8 weeks after the conclusion of the tournament.

Prize checks are written only to the winners, not to third parties.

If you are a resident alien: Please complete Form W-9.

If you are a non-resident alien: Please complete Form W-8BEN.