20th Annual SPICE Cup Open

A 9-round, dual USCF and FIDE-rated Swiss. One section; minimum rating 2000 FIDE or 2200 USCF required.  November 2026 FIDE ratings will be used to determine pairings and prizes.  Co-hosted by the Susan Polgar Foundation and the WA Chess Federation.

Prizes

$12,500 Guaranteed! GM, IM, WGM, and WIM norms are possible.

1st – 3rd: $5000-3000-2000, Top U2450: $500-250, Top U2300: $500-250.

Special Prizes (which can be won in addition to a place or class prize):

• Top Female: $500
• Top Senior (50+): $500
• Brilliancy Prize: $100

Limited free hotel accommodation available for GMs.  Players receiving conditions may not take any byes without express permission from the organizer.

All equipment (sets, boards, clocks) provided.

Anti-cheating measures will be strictly enforced.

Entries

• GMs: Free entry.

• Foreign IMs: $245 by 9/4, $345 by 10/4, $445 after.

• US Flag IMs: $345 by 9/4, $445 by 10/4, $545 after.

• Foreign FIDE-rated players (2000+): $445 by 9/4, $545 by 10/4, $645 after.

• US players 2200+ FIDE: $795 by 9/4, $895 by 10/4, $995 after.

• US players 2000-2199 FIDE: $995 by 9/4, $1,095 by 10/4, $1,195 after.

Schedule

• Wednesday 11/4: Arrival & Check-in – 3:00-4:30 PM, Rd. 1 – 5:00 PM.
• Thursday 11/5: Rd. 2 – 10:00 AM, Rd. 3 – 4:00 PM.
• Friday 11/6: Rd. 4 – 10:00 AM, Rd. 5 – 4:00 PM.
• Saturday 11/7: Rd. 6 – 11:00 AM.
• Saturday 11/7: SPICE Cup Blitz Championship (9SS, G/3; +2, FIDE + USCF Blitz rated) – 7:00 PM.
• Sunday 11/8: Rd. 7 – 11:00 AM
• Sunday 11/8: SPICE Cup Rapid Championship (5SS, G/15; +5, FIDE Rapid + USCF Quick rated) – 5:00 PM.
• Monday 11/9: Rd. 8 – 10:00 AM, Rd. 9 – 4:00 PM, Closing Ceremony – 8:00 PM or ASAP.

Bye Policy

Players may request up to two half-point byes in rounds 1-7 if announced by the start of the tournament. Zero-point byes are available for any round.

Time Control: G/90; +30. Late default: 60 minutes.

Rating: Dual USCF and FIDE rated. November 2026 FIDE ratings will be used to determine pairings and prizes.

Memberships: A current US Chess membership is required at the time of the tournament.

Hotel Rates

Hilton Bellevue: 300 112th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98004. $239 for a King room or 2 Queens. Complimentary guest room Wi-Fi and event day parking. Discounted overnight parking of $20 per vehicle per night. Many restaurants are within 1-2 miles of the hotel. For online hotel reservations, use the booking link. Group Code: CHESRL. For phone reservations, call 425-455-1300 and reference the 2026 SPICE Cup. Cut-off date for discounted hotel reservations is October 14, 2026.

Registration: Online at nwchess.com/OnlineRegistration or send registration form and payment to: Washington Chess Federation, 4174 148th Avenue NE, Building I, Suite M, Redmond, Washington 98052. Limited space available; please register early. Registration will stay open until capacity is reached or by the deadline of 11/3 at 12:00 PM PT. Partial refunds (less PayPal fees + $20 processing fee) are available until the registration deadline.  For further information, email WCF President Josh Sinanan at [email protected] or call 206-769-3757.

Important notice for prize winners

All prizes will be paid within 8 weeks after the conclusion of the tournament.

Prize checks are written only to the winners, not to third parties.

If you are a resident alien: Please complete Form W-9.

If you are a non-resident alien: Please complete Form W-8BEN.