Daniel Naroditsky Memorial New Year Open

Kick off the new year with the Daniel Naroditsky Memorial New Year Open Championship! This FIDE-rated championship features multiple schedules options alongside other side events with a festive atmosphere, offering competition for players of all levels. It's the perfect way to start your chess year! 

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 ($50 additional fee incurred).
• Late fees applied starting December 26 or when reaching capacity.

Schedule

Multiple options available (More info):

• 4-day option:
  • Time Control: G/90 +30
  • Round Times:
    • Thu, Jan. 1 - 6:30 p.m.
    • Fri, Jan. 2 - 1:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m.
    • Sat, Jan. 3 - 1:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
    • Sun, Jan. 4 - 9:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m.
• 3-day option:
  • Time Control: G/90 +30
  • Round Times:
    • Fri, Jan. 2 - 9:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m.
    • Sat, Jan. 3 - 1:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
    • Sun, Jan. 4 - 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, Jan. 3 - 9:00 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 1:40 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
    • Sun, Jan. 4 - 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 their January 2026 Published Supplement rating:
  • MXA (1800+)
  • BC (1400-1799)
  • DEu (u1400)
• 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 January 2026 Published Supplement rating)

Prizes

• Prize fund: $12,000 based on 143 entries (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: $169
  • 3-day: $159
  • 2-day: $149
• Econ entry:
  • 4-day: $127
  • 3-day: $119
  • 2-day: $112
• Play up fee: +$39
• Discount for BayAreaChess Membership Subscribers (More Info).

Late fees

• Late fees, starting:
  • Dec. 26: +$10
  • Dec. 27: +$20
  • Dec. 29: +$30
  • Dec. 31: +$40
• Onsite fee: +$50
• 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 Dec. 24, 4% processing fee.
  • from Dec. 25 to Dec. 26, $10 withdrawal fee + 4% processing fee.
  • from Dec. 27 to Dec. 28, $20 withdrawal fee + 4% processing fee.
  • from Dec. 29 to Dec. 30, $30 withdrawal fee + 4% processing fee.
  • from Dec. 31 onward, NO REFUND will be issued.
• Only withdrawals made before or on Dec. 30 are eligible for refund.

Change requests

• After registration, changes can be requested at bayareachess.com/changeform and are subject to the following fees:
  • until Dec. 30 , $7 change fee.
  • from Dec. 31 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.

More information available here.