2024 Vermont Speed & 960 Chess Championships

The 2024 VT Speed & 960 championships will consist of 3 different events, all taking place on March 3rd, hosted on the University of Vermont campus. All are welcome to participate and everybody is eligible for the cash prizes, however the titles of VT Blitz, Bullet & 960 champion will only be awarded to VT residents (based on USCF profile). All events will have only 1 section. 

Please register in advance using this Google form: https://forms.gle/n5DnDBo4zPdDsmsb9

Pay entry fees here: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=788521&

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. Each round, a new 960 position will be chosen, and all pairings will play the same 960 position. 

Blitz. This will be a 7 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 all events allowed any time before the posted start times. Advance registration is greatly preferred. Chess 960 begins at 10am. Blitz begins at 12pm. Bullet begins at 2pm. All rounds will be paired as quickly as possible. 

Entry fee: $15 advance entry per event if both form and payment are sent by the end of March 1st. On-site: $20 per event. A USCF membership is only required for the blitz tournament. 

Location: Old Mill #325, 94 University Pl, Burlington VT 05405

Parking: I recommend parking at the UVM Medical lot across the street. 41-43 South Prospect St. 

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

Prizes: $30 to the winner of each category (960, Blitz, Bullet). The State Champion title will be awarded to the top Vermont resident in each event, but all players are eligible for the cash prizes. No trophies. Excess proceeds will help fund the UVM chess club's travel. 

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.