2025 Virginia Senior Open

2025 Virginia Senior Open

A Heritage Event and a State Championship Event

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

Friday, May 30 - Sunday, June 1, 2025

Organized by the Virginia Chess Federation

WHAT: The 2025 Virginia Senior Open Chess Championship. All games will be rated by FIDE and the US Chess Federation. All players compete in one section. FIDE Rules are in effect.

WHY: To determine who will represent Virginia at the 2025 John T. Irwin National Tournament of Senior State Champions being held in Madison, WI, during the annual U.S. Open Chess Championships.
    - The dates of the Irwin tournament are July 28-31, 2025.
    - Virginia’s Primary representative to the Irwin Tournament will receive a stiped of at least $600 to attend.

ELIGIBILITY: All players in the VA Senior Open must be at least 50 years old as of Monday, July 28, 2025, the start date for the Irwin Invitational Tournament of State Senior Champions. The Virginia Senior Open is open to all age-eligible US Chess Federation members, there is no Virginia residency restriction.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, May 30th – June 1st, 2025. 
    - Friday, May 30th: Round 1 at 6:30pm. Onsite registration open from 3-6pm at the venue.
    - Saturday, May 31st: Rounds 2 and 3 at 11am and 5pm. Onsite registration open from 8-10:30am.
    - Sunday, June 1st: Rounds 4 and 5 at 10am and 4pm.

WHERE: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, 10358 Patriot Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA
    - Hotel rate is $99 per night, plus taxes if reserved by TUESDAY, MAY 27th, 2025.
    - 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.
    - The Time Control for all 5 rounds is Game-90 with 30 seconds of time increment for each move. This is the same time control being used at the Irwin Invitational tournament in July.
    - There is a 1-hour “no show/forfeit” 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 onsite registration closes at 6:15 pm on Friday May 30th. 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 $2,200 prize fund.
    - 1st to 3rd Places: $650, $450, $300. Plaque to the Champion and the Top Virginia player. An unrated player winning a place prize is limited to $300.
    - Top Under 2200: $200 + Plaque
    - Top Under 1800: $165 + Plaque
    - Top Under 1400 / Unrated: $135 + Plaque
    - Top Upsets in Rounds 1-5: $50 for the Top Upset in each round, plus another $50 to the TOP UPSET of the tournament.

PAIRINGS:
    - The Chief Arbiter will use ratings from the US Chess May 2025 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. The Chief Arbiter is the final authority for ratings used for each player.

REGISTRATION: Go to www.vachess.org
    - Entry Fee: $75 through midnight on Saturday, May 24th, increases to $95 on Sunday, May 25th and at the tournament site. The VA Chess Federation will retain $5 from players who withdraw before Round 1.
    - Re-entry is available after Round 1 for $30. In other words, a player who had an unfortunate Round 1 result can “re-enter” the tournament for Round 2 and receive a half-point Bye for Round 1. If you choose to re-enter, your re-entry becomes your one optional half-point bye.
    - Onsite Registration open Friday from 3-6pm. Registration also open on Saturday from 8-10:30am for players who want to enter the tournament for Round 2.
    - ALL PLAYERS must be current members of the U.S. Chess Federation. Virginia residents 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 memberships through the VCF’s website (www.vachess.org).

TOURNAMENT EQUIPMENT:
    - Chessboards, pieces, and chess clocks will be provided for everyone. You may use your own.
    - Use of Electronic Scoresheets is not allowed in this tournament unless the player has the approval of the Chief Arbiter.
    - 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, VCF, mhoffpauir@aol.com, 757-846-4805 (text)