Provided by HAL TERRIE, Chair
The US Open committee had little activity during the 2022-23 term. At the 2022 workshop, the plan for the one-weekend format of the US Open (set to begin in 2025) was presented. There were to be a seven-day schedule, a six-day schedule, and a four-day schedule, with all merging at round 7. The Invitational tournaments would be reduced from six rounds to five. However, the US Chess Director of Events pointed out an issue of concern.
Under the current two-weekend format, the Invitationals share the playing hall only with the Traditional schedule of the US Open. They conclude before the six-day US Open schedule (usually the largest) begins. The revised one-weekend format would have one round where the Traditional schedule and the six-day would both have a round at the same time as the Invitationals. This might require a larger playing hall, with greater expense to US Chess. The Director of Events asked the committee to replace the six-day schedule with one of five days, to avoid this issue. It needed to be done quickly, as a contract for a 2025 site would likely be signed soon. This was done.
As of now, this is what the US Open schedules for 2025 will look like:
- Seven-day Schedule. Round 1 on Monday, 7 PM. Rounds 2-3 Tuesday, 11 AM and 7 PM. Rounds 4-5 Wednesday, 11 AM and 7 PM. Rounds 6-9 Thursday-Saturday at 7 PM, Sunday at 3 PM. Time control for all games 40/100, SD/30 +30.
- Five-day Schedule. Rounds 1-2 Wednesday 3 PM and 7 PM. Rounds 3-5 Thursday 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM. Rounds 6-7 Friday 11 AM, 7 PM. Rounds 8-9 Saturday at 7 PM, Sunday at 3 PM. Time control for games 1-5 G/90 d5; games 6-9 40/100, SD/30 +30.
- Four-day Schedule. Round 1-4 Thursday 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM, 10 PM. Round 5-7 Friday 11 AM, 2 PM, 7 PM. Rounds 8-9 Saturday at 7 PM, Sunday at 3 PM. Time control for games 1-6 G/60 d5; games 7-9 40/100, SD/30 +30.
- Invitationals. Rounds 1-2 Monday 11 AM and 7 PM. Rounds 3-4 Tuesday 11 AM and 7 PM. Round 5 Wednesday 11 AM. Awards 3 PM. Time control for all games G/90 +30.
One unresolved issue is the Weeramantry Blitz tournament. Both the Invitational and US Open committees agree that it should be held before the main Invitationals, start – but there is no time for that on Monday. The Invitationals committee will discuss finding some space on Sunday night with the Director of Events.
One other issue is the suggestion to move the final US Open round earlier than 3 PM, to 1 PM or even to noon. There are good reasons to consider this. The 2022 US Open had 404 players. In the final round, there was a very long list of half-point byes and withdrawals. Only 278 players played round 9. An earlier start time might give players wanting to head home on Sunday more flexibility, allowing more to play round 9. However, while it is true that the Delegates Meeting has not needed time on Sunday in recent years, there is no guarantee and the US Chess office prefers to have a greater margin of safety than these earlier times would permit. Discussions of this idea will continue.
The site for the 2025 US Open has been selected. It will be held July 28 – Aug. 3, in Middleton, WI.
