2024 Virginia Senior Open

2024 Virginia Senior Open

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, 10358 Patriot Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA

Friday, June 7 - Sunday, June 9, 2024

Organized by the Virginia Chess Federation

WHAT: 2024 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 2024 John T. Irwin National Tournament of Senior State Champions being held in Norfolk, VA, at the end of July during the annual U.S. Open Chess Championships. In addition, as the host state for the US Open, Virginia can also send an “alternate” to participate in the event. Virginia's alternate is eligible for the same prizes as the primary representative.
    - The Irwin tournament will be held at the US Open on July 27-30, 2024, in Norfolk, VA.
    - Virginia’s Primary representative to The Irwin Tournament will receive a stiped of at least $500 to attend.

ELIGIBILITY: All players must be at least 50 years old as of Friday, June 7, 2024. This event is open to all age-eligible US Chess Federation members, there is no Virginia residency restriction.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, June 7th – 9th, 2024.
    - Friday, June 7th: Round 1 at 6:30pm. Onsite registration open from 3-5:45pm at the venue.
    - Saturday, June 8th: Rounds 2 and 3 at 11am and 5pm.
    - Sunday, June 9th: Rounds 4 and 5 at 10am and 4pm.

WHERE: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, 10358 Patriot Highway, Fredericksburg, VA
    - Hotel rate is $99 per night plus taxes, if reserved by Sunday, June 2nd, 2024.
    - Click here to reserve your room at the hotel. Or you can call the hotel at (703) 471-9500 and identify yourself as part of the “Virginia Chess Senior Open” group.

FORMAT:
    - 5 rounds, Swiss System. All players participate in the same section.
    - Time Control is Game-90 with 30 seconds of time increment for each move for all 5 rounds. This is the same time control being used at the Irwin tournament in July.
    - There is a 1-hour “no show/default” rule in effect. A player 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: GUARANTEED $2,000 prize fund.
    - 1st to 3rd Places: $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 2024 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 Saturday, June 1st, increases to $90 on Sunday, June 2nd, 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, pieces, and chess clocks will be available, or you may use your own.
    - Health protocols: Masks are optional, but we will have some on hand for anyone who desires to wear one. We also will have ample hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.

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