Cornerstone Winter Classic - Irvine

Back Bay Conference Center
3415 Michelson Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

OPEN • U2000 • U1700 • U1400 • U1000
6 Rounds • G/60+30

REGISTRATION

Open Section, Under 2000, Under 1700:

$100 — Special Early Entry until December 1, 2026
$110 — Advance Entry until January 1, 2027
$120 — Standard Entry through January 24, 2027
$130 — Late Entry after January 24, 2027

Under 1400:

$60 — Special Early Entry until December 1, 2026
$65 — Advance Entry until January 1, 2027
$70 — Standard Entry through January 24, 2027
$75 — Late Entry after January 24, 2027

Under 1000:

$50 — Special Early Entry until December 1, 2026
$55 — Advance Entry until January 1, 2027
$60 — Standard Entry through January 24, 2027
$65 — Late Entry after January 24, 2027

GM / IM / WGM — FREE ENTRY if under 2400 FIDE Classical

Registration Deadline: Saturday 1/30 at 9:00 AM

Register by 9:00 AM to be paired for Round 1. Registrations after 9:00 AM will receive a ½-point bye for Round 1.

MAIN EVENT & BLITZ REGISTRATION

PRIZES 

$5000 (Based on 175 Main Event Entries)

Open (FIDE): $1150 - $700 - $450 - U2200 $200

U2000 (FIDE): $750 - $450 - $300

U1700: $500 - $300 - $200

U1400: Trophies for top 5.

U1000: Trophies for top 3.

SECTIONS

RATING ELIGIBILITY

Playing Up: Players may use their live USCF Regular rating to be eligible for a higher section. Pairings will use the January 2027 supplement. Players can pay a $100 fee to play up one section only.

OPEN — 2000+

FIDE & USCF Rated • G/60+30

Open to players rated 2000+. Players rated 1900–1999 are eligible to play up for the additional fee.

Players must be under 2400 FIDE Classical. There is no USCF maximum.

U2000 — UNDER 2000

FIDE & USCF Rated • G/60+30

Open to players rated 1700-1999. Players rated 1600–1699 are eligible to play up for the additional fee.

Players below 1600 with a FIDE Classical rating are eligible play in U2000.

U1700 — UNDER 1700 & UNRATED

USCF Rated Only • G/60+30

Open to players rated 1400-1699. Players rated 1300–1399 are eligible to play up for the additional fee.

U1400 — UNDER 1400 & UNRATED

USCF Rated Only • G/60+30

Open to players rated 1000-1399. 

Players with a FIDE Classical rating are not eligible.

U1000 — UNDER 1000 & UNRATED

USCF Rated Only • G/60+30

Open to players rated under 1000. 

Players with a FIDE Classical rating are not eligible.

SCHEDULE

OPEN • U2000 • U1700 • U1400 • U1000: 1 game per round

SATURDAY — JANUARY 30

Round 1 — 10:00 AM

Round 2 — 1:30 PM

Round 3 — 5:00 PM

SUNDAY — JANUARY 31

Round 4 — 10:00 AM

Round 5 — 1:30 PM

Round 6 — 5:00 PM

PLAYER INFORMATION

Players must bring their own board, pieces, and digital chess clock.

Scoresheets and pens are provided. Players in non-FIDE rated sections may bring their own scoresheet if they prefer.

Players in FIDE-rated sections must submit the WHITE COPY after each game.

BYES & WITHDRAWALS

Byes: Up to 2 half-point byes may be requested. Other byes will be 0-points. All bye requests are irrevocable and must be made before round 3.

Withdrawals: Notify the Tournament Director before the next round is paired.

NEED A USA FIDE ID?

FIDE ID FORM

REFUNDS

Refunds are available through January 29, 2027, with a $50 administrative fee.

No refunds beginning January 30, 2027.

SATURDAY NIGHT BLITZ

MAIN EVENT & BLITZ REGISTRATION

SATURDAY 1/30 — $10 Entry until January 1. $25 Entry after.

Main Event participation is not required. Pairings and section eligibility based on published USCF regular rating. Prizes only for Open section.

G/3+2 • 5 Double Rounds • 10 Games

Registration Deadline — 8:00 PM
Required Check-In — By 8:15 PM
Round 1 Starts — 8:30 PM

Players must check in by 8:15 PM to be paired.

Game 1 starts at the scheduled time. Game 2 starts as soon as possible after Game 1.

Players rated under 1600 and unrated players may choose to play in either the U1600 or Open section.

OPEN

FIDE & USCF Rated • All Ratings

No maximum rating.

PRIZES (B/25)

1st: $150

2nd: $90

3rd: $60

U1600

USCF Rated Only • Under 1600 & Unrated

BEST GAME

Submit a Main Event classical game.

One submission per player.

TOP 3 GAMES

The Top 3 Games will each receive a:

1-Month Diamond Membership

SUBMIT YOUR GAME

PARKING & HOTEL 

Back Bay Conference Center
3415 Michelson Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

Parking — Completely Free, big lot for the building.

Hotels: Many hotels within 1-2 miles: Hilton Irvine, Residence Inn, Hyatt Regency, AC Marriot

CONTACT

Tournament Director: Jake Nemeth

[email protected], (949) 554-4539

Organizers: Paris Prestia & Derek Wu

Paris Prestia: [email protected], (631) 469-2886

Derek Wu: [email protected], (205) 835-5861