1st Vermont Speed & 960 Chess Championships

The VT Speed & 960 championships will consist of 3 different events, all taking place on July 23rd. All events will have only 1 section. Register in advance here: https://forms.gle/FVKaLkwLHxvcmyuD6

Chess 960. If you're not familiar, this is a chess variant where the back rank is randomized with two rules: the rooks must be on opposite sides of the king, and the bishops must be of different colors. There are 960 positions that fulfill these rules. The format will be a four round Swiss, with a time control of 10+5. It will not be USCF rated, but will follow USCF Quick rules. If there is not a clear winner, there will be a blitz 960 playoff between the top contenders. 

Blitz. This will be a 9 round Swiss with a time control of G3+2. It will be USCF Blitz rated. 

Bullet. This format is a bit more complicated, but should be really fun. The time control will be 1+1. It will also be a 6 round Swiss, but each pairing will play a match of 5 games. The pairings will be based on match points, not individual game points. To get 1 match point, you need 3 or more points in the match. To get 0.5 match points, you need 2.5 points. Less gets 0 match points. It will not be USCF rated, but will follow USCF Blitz rules. 

Schedule: On site registration for the other events allowed any time before the posted start times. Advance registration is greatly preferred. Chess 960 begins at 10am. Blitz begins at 1pm. Bullet begins at 3pm. All rounds will be paired as quickly as possible. 

Entry fee: $5 advance entry per event if both form and payment are sent by July 21st. On-site / late registration: $10 per event. Send entry fees via PayPal to [email protected] or Venmo to @collinshayden. A USCF membership is only required for the blitz tournament. 

Location: Putney Community Center. 10 Christian Square, Putney VT. 

Parking: There is a parking lot on the other side (west) of the main road through Putney. Please park there rather than next to the Community Center. 

Equipment: We have extra boards and clocks, but you are of course welcome to use your own. 

Prizes: Trophies and the State Champion title will be awarded to the top finisher in each event. Only Vermont residents will be eligible for the title and trophy, but all are welcome to participate. 

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.