2025 Thanksgiving / Class Warfare FIDE Championship

Join us this Thanksgiving weekend for the BayAreaChess Thanksgiving / Class Warfare FIDE Championship! Compete in FIDE- & USCF-rated sections open to all ages and levels, and seize the chance to earn exciting prize money. Whether you're competing for major titles or enjoying fun match-ups, you'll find great competition and a festive atmosphere this holiday weekend.

Register here

• You must log in or sign up before you can register.
• Online registration closes at 12:00 a.m. the day of the tournament.
• Onsite registration is subject to availability ($45 additional fee incurred).
• Late fees applied starting November 22 or when reaching capacity.

Schedule

Two schedules available. (More info)

• 3-day option:
  • Time Control: 7SS G/90 +30
  • Round Times:
    • Fri, Nov. 28 - 1:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m.
    • Sat, Nov. 29 - 9:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
    • Sun, Nov. 30 - 9:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m.
• 2-day option:
  • Time Controls:
    • Rounds 1-4: G/55 d5
    • Rounds 5-7: G/90 +30
  • Round Times:
    • Sat, Nov. 29 - 9:00 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 1:40 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
    • Sun, Nov. 30 - 9:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m.
• ½-point byes are available for any round (Max byes: 3; byes must be requested at least 30 min before that round's start except last round byes; last round bye must be requested latest before Round 3).
• 0-point byes are available for any round (player must play at least half the rounds to be eligible for prizes).

Sections

• Players will be placed into one of the following sections based on their November 2025 Published Supplement rating:
  • MXA (1800+)
  • BC (1400-1799)
  • DEu (u1400)
• All sections are FIDE- and USCF-rated.
• A player may pay to play up one higher section, double play up is NOT allowed.
• Players must be within 200 points of the rating cutoff to play up, or within 300 points for the lowest section.
• (Note: The rating used to determine if a player may play up is their November 2025 Published Supplement rating)

Prizes

• Prize fund: $10,000 guaranteed (More info)
  • Regular entry winners: 100% of allocated prize
  • Economy entry winners: 50% of allocated prize
  • Unrated winners: Max $300 (except in the top section)
• Ca$h prizes can be converted into BA€oins ($1 = 1 BA€oin, more info)
• A player who withdraws during the tournament is not eligible for prize money.
• Prizes will be paid out by check (mail), PayPal or Zelle.

Fees

• Regular entry:
  • 3-day option: $187
  • 2-day option: $177
  • Re-entry fee: $75
• Economy entry:
  • 3-day option: $140
  • 2-day option: $133
  • Re-entry fee: $75
• Play up fee: +$40
• Discount for BayAreaChess Membership subscribers (Basic/Premier, more info).
• Late fees, starting:
  • Nov. 22: +$10
  • Nov. 24: +$20
  • Nov. 26: +$30
• Onsite fee: +$45
• BayAreaChess Membership discounts are NOT redeemable for late and onsite fees.

Withdrawals

• Withdrawals are eligible for a partial refund, subject to the following deductions:
  • until Nov. 21, 4% processing fee.
  • on Nov. 22 to Nov. 23, $10 withdrawal fee + 4% processing fee.
  • on Nov. 24 to Nov. 25, $20 withdrawal fee + 4% processing fee.
  • on Nov. 26 to Nov. 27, $30 withdrawal fee + 4% processing fee.
  • from Nov. 28 onward, NO REFUND will be issued.
• Only withdrawals made before or on Nov. 27 are eligible for refund.

Change Requests

• After registration, changes can be requested at bayareachess.com/changeform and are subject to the following fees:
  • until Nov. 26, $7 change fee.
  • from Nov. 27 onward, $15 change fee.
• The following requests are exempt from the change fee:
  • playing up to a higher section.
  • requesting byes.

Other requirements

• USCF membership must be active.