2023 Virginia Senior Open

2023 Virginia Senior Open

Marriott Washington-Dulles Airport

Friday, June 2 - Sunday, June 4, 2023

THIS IS AN OVER-THE-BOARD TOURNAMENT Organized by the Virginia Chess Federation

WHAT: 2023 Virginia Senior Open Chess Championship. All games will be rated by the US Chess Federation and FIDE. All players compete in one section. FIDE Rules are in effect.

WHY: To determine who will represent Virginia at the 2023 John T. Irwin National Tournament of Senior State Champions being held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the end of July during the annual U.S. Open Chess Championships.
    - The Irwin tournament will be held at the US Open on July 29-Aug 1, 2023, in Grand Rapids, MI.
    - Virginia’s representative to The Irwin Tournament will receive a stipend of at least $500 to attend.

ELIGIBILITY: All players must be at least 50 years old as of Friday, June 2nd, 2023. This event is open to all age-eligible US Chess Federation members, there is no Virginia residency restriction.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, June 2nd-4th, 2023.
    - Friday, June 2nd: Round 1 at 6:30pm. Onsite registration open from 3-5:45pm at the venue.
    - Saturday, June 3rd: Rounds 2 and 3 at 11am and 5pm.
    - Sunday, June 4th: Rounds 4 and 5 at 10am and 4pm.

WHERE: Washington-Dulles Airport Marriott, 45020 Aviation Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
    - Hotel rate is $136 per night, plus taxes if reserved by Friday, May 12th.
    - Reserve your room by calling Marriott Reservations at 1(800) 228-9290 or the hotel at (703) 471-9500. Identify yourself as part of the “Virginia Chess Senior Open” group.

FORMAT:
    - 5 rounds, Swiss System.
    - Time Control is Game-90 with 30 seconds of time increment for each move. This is the same time control being used at the Irwin tournament in July.
    - There is a 1-hour “no show” rule in effect. A player who is more than 60 minutes late for the announced start time of any round shall be forfeited for that round.
    - One half-point Bye is allowed for any round. Round 1 Byes must be declared by speaking directly with the Chief Arbiter before on-site registration closes at 6:15 pm on Friday June 2nd. Byes and bye changes for Rounds 2 through 5 must be declared at least 30 min before the start of Round 2. Changes after this deadline will be listed as zero-point byes.

PRIZES: $2,000 prize fund with 1st-3rd places Guaranteed and the remaining prizes based on 50 players.
    - 1st to 3rd Places (guaranteed): $650, $450, $300. Plaque to the Top Virginia player.
    - Top Under 2200: $200
    - Top Under 1800: $165
    - Top Under 1400 / Unrated: $135
    - Top Upset from Rounds 1-5: $100

PAIRINGS:
    - The Chief Arbiter will use ratings from the US Chess June 2023 Rating Supplement for pairings and prize awards. Pairings will be made using the higher of each player’s Over-the-Board (OTB) and Online Regular (slow) Ratings in the Rating Supplement unless the Online rating is “stale” compared to the OTB rating.
    - Players without a US Chess rating but who have a rating in another system recognized by US Chess (e.g., FIDE, Canada, many foreign countries) will be paired according to the Chief Arbiter’s conversion of their foreign rating.

REGISTRATION: Go to www.vachess.org
    - Entry Fee: $70 through midnight on Tuesday, May 27th, increases to $90 on Sunday, May 28th and at the tournament site. The VA Chess Federation will retain $5 from players who withdraw before Round 1.
    - ALL PLAYERS must be current members of the U.S. Chess Federation. Virginia residents also must be members of the Virginia Chess Federation (VCF). Please join or renew your US Chess or Virginia Chess memberships before the tournament. You can renew both through the VA Chess Federation’s website.

TOURNAMENT EQUIPMENT:
    - Boards and pieces will be available or you may use your own.
    - Bring your increment-capable chess clock and have it pre-set for Game 90 + 30.
    - Health protocols: We anticipate Masks will be optional, but we will have some on hand for anyone who desires to wear a mask. We also will have ample hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.

QUESTIONS?  Mike Hoffpauir, VA Chess Federation, mhoffpauir@aol.com, 757-846-4805 (text)