BayAreaChess 2025 CalChess State Open & Class FIDE Championship

Join us this Labor Day weekend for the official CalChess State Open Championship! This annual event features multiple schedules, all FIDE & USCF-rated with $17,000 in guaranteed prizes. Choose from flexible schedules, all of which lead to seven rounds of rewarding competition!

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 August 23 or when reaching capacity.

Schedule

Multiple options available (More info):

• 4-day option:
  • Time Control: G/90 +30
  • Round Times:
    • Fri, 8/29 - 6:30 p.m.
    • Sat, 8/30 - 1:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
    • Sun, 8/31 - 1:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
    • Mon, 9/1 - 9:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m.
• 3-day option:
  • Time Control: G/90 +30
  • Round Times:
    • Sat, 8/30 - 9:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
    • Sun, 8/31 - 1:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
    • Mon, 9/1 - 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:
    • Sun, 8/31 - 9:00 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 1:40 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
    • Mon, 9/1 - 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 three sections based on published USChess rating supplement:
  • MX (2000+)
  • AB (1600-1999)
  • CDE (1000-1599)
• A player may pay to play up one higher section, double play up is NOT allowed.
• Players must be within 300 points of the rating cutoff to play up, and within 200 points in highest section.
  (Note: The rating used to determine if a player may play up is their published USChess rating)

Prizes

• Prize fund: $17,000 guaranteed (More info)
• Regular entry winners get full prize, Economy entry winners get 50%.
• Unrated winners: Max $300 (except in the top section)
• Ca$h prizes can be converted into BA€oins.
• 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:
  • 4-day: $197
  • 3-day: $187
  • 2-day: $177
• Econ entry:
  • 4-day: $148
  • 3-day: $140
  • 2-day: $133
• Play up fee: +$40
• Discount for BayAreaChess Membership Subscribers (More Info).
• Late fees, starting:
  • 8/23: +$10
  • 8/25: +$20
  • 8/27: +$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 8/22 - 4% of the paid fee will be deducted.
  • on 8/23 & 8/24 - $10 withdrawal fee applies.
  • on 8/25 & 8/26 - $20 withdrawal fee applies.
  • from 8/27 onward - NO REFUND will be issued.
• Only withdrawals made on or before 8/26 are eligible for refund.

Other requirements

• USCF membership must be active.