2025 Eastern Kentucky Open

EVENT OVERVIEW

This is a qualifying event for the 2025 Kentucky Closed Championship. The top Kentucky player who has not already qualified will receive an invitation to this event. More information can be found here:  https://tinyurl.com/2025-KY-Closed-Championship 

US Chess Membership is REQUIRED. All US Chess rules will be followed.
Membership must be current through March 2025
Membership will NOT be available onsite, sign up at https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess 
Please bring membership ID number to the tournament
Notation is required for all players. Players 8 years old or younger (or their parents) can ask tournament director before Round 1 for an exemption.
Players younger than high school age (~14) must be accompanied by an adult.

Register Here:  https://tinyurl.com/2025-Eastern-Kentucky-Open

FORMAT
Two Sections:  both will be 4 Rounds - Swiss System 
OPEN Section: open to all USCF players and any rating level   
U1500 Section: open to USCF players with ratings below 1500 (unrated to 1499)
G30;d5 (clocks will be set to 30 minutes per player, 5 second delay)
Note: we reserve the right to have only one OPEN section if there is a low turnout the day of the tournament.

ENTRY FEE
$30 if pre-registered online by Friday, March 28th, 2025, otherwise $35 the day of tournament.
CASH ONLY PAYMENT IS DUE BEFORE ROUND ONE BEGINS

SCHEDULE
Check-in and registration will take place from 10:15 AM to 10:45 AM on Saturday.
Round 1 will commence at 11:00 AM or soon thereafter, and the subsequent rounds will begin as soon as possible, approximately at 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:30 PM.
Players who arrive late after round 1 is paired will receive a half-point bye in the first round and will be paired in subsequent rounds. One 1/2 point byes available for any round. Must declare during registration.

PRIZES 
The tournament offers a prize fund of $1200 based on 30 players, and cash prizes will be distributed promptly after the conclusion of the fourth round.
The distribution of closed championship invitations will be determined by a KCA (Kentucky Chess Association) representative at a later date.
Please note that for the top female player, the cash prize will be awarded, but the invitation is for an alternate only. 
One cash prize per player. Standard USCF Tiebreakers will be used in all sections to determine the winner. If there are ties, the prize money will be equally divided.
In the event of a perfect score tie (4.0/4.0) in the OPEN SECTION for qualifying for the CLOSED EVENT a tie break game will be played G10;d5.

Open Section
Top adult player (21 and over) $200
Top junior player (under 21 at time of this tournament) $200
Top female player (USCF record must list "F" under gender) $200
Top U1900 $100
Top U1700 $100

Under 1500 Section
Top U1500 $100
Top U1300 $100
Top U1100 $100
Top Unrated $100

OTHER
A limited number of chess boards, pieces, and clocks are available, please bring your own if you have them.

TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS AND ORGANIZERS
Please contact tournament organizers if you have any questions.
Chief TD Allen Maddix ( almaddix@netzero.net ) 859-298-1561 
Assistant TD Frank Walls ( winchessterclub@gmail.com ) 859-749-2940