Mechanics' Monthly Online Blitz Championship

Saturday, October 23, 2021

USCF Online BLITZ-Rated event via Chess.com

Open to Everyone!

1. Platform

• The tournament is played on Chess.com. A tournament link will be provided; the tournament is run automatically once you are entered.
• A free account is sufficient to play in the tournament. No Chess.com account yet? Easy to make, just follow the instructions below.
• See Eligibility for more details on chess.com accounts.
   

2. Schedule

List of registered players for 10/23 as of .. coming close to the tournament

3. Tournament Format:

• Tournament Format: individual Swiss
• Total Rounds: 8
• Round Times:Rounds run consecutively.  Each one starts immediately after the previous round is finished.
• Time Control: G/5+2  (Game in 5 minutes with a 2-second increement on each move.)
• Games will be US Chess online blitz-rated. Tournament results will be submitted 7-14 days after the tournament to allow all games to be screened for fair play.
• Sections: One open section.
• Pairings are based on the actual chess.com blitz rating.
   

3.A. How to Play?

• A welcome email is sent out before the tournament that explains all the details of how to play in the tournament. Be sure to provide a correct email when registering for the event!
• Players must be logged in to chess.com and go to the tournament link.
• Players must JOIN the tournament, we can not do this for them! They can join the tournament anytime up to 60 minutes before the tournament starts.

Chess.com --> Log in --> Play --> LIVE Chess --> Tournament tab --> Upcoming Tournaments

• Games are paired automatically by Chess.com. Most USCF pairing rules are followed; however, players MUST be active on the tournament page in order to get paired. Inactive players will receive a zero-point bye.
• The Tournament Help Desk is available for any player who needs to get in touch with the Chief TD. Zoom link to the Help Desk is shared with every player registered for the event.
• NEW: communication channel for the players to interact with each other is now available through Discord.
  Join us via: https://discord.gg/CXktQgn4MC
   

4. Byes

• Byes are NOT available for players.
• Late registration and late joins are possible and OK, but they will receive a zero-point bye for any missed round.
   

5. Prize Fund

• $300 based on 30 paid entries

  	Open
  1st Place	$75
  2nd Place	$50
  3rd Place	$50
  Best under2000	$50
  Best under1800	$50
  Best under1600	$25

• Under prizes are based on USCF OTB or ONL ratings (whichever is the higher).
• Prizes are paid out after a fair-play review has been completed and results are finalized.
• Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing prize checks.
• Per IRS rules anyone with a cumulative $600+ prizes in any calendar year will need to fill out a W9, and Mechanics' Institute will be providing a 1099 form. 
  
   

6. Registration

• MI library member: $20
• Non-MI library member: $30
• There is a $5 administrative fee for all cancellations & refunds.
   

7. Eligibility

• Players must have a current US Chess Federation membership. The expiration date of their US Chess membership must be later than the last day of the tournament.
• Not sure if you have a membership? Need to check the expiration date of your members? Visit: https://new.uschess.org/player-search
• Become a member or renew your membership: https://new.uschess.org/player-search
• Players must have a Chess.com account in good standing. Any previously closed account must be disclosed to the organizer by sending a confidential email to chessroom@milibrary.org.
• Don't have a Chess.com account? Sign up now!
   

8. Tournament Rules

• Standard US Chess rules apply, with special focus on the Chapter 10 Online Chess rules.
• NEW: Announced variation:
  When a player is removed due to fair-play violation, scores will be adjusted as follows:
  1. If two or more rounds remain, all opponents of the disqualified player will receive a win by forfeit, unless they defeated the disqualified player, in which case they will retain a rated win.
  2. If the tournament has concluded, or if there is only one round remaining:
  The last opponent of the disqualified player will receive a win by forfeit.
  Other opponents who lost to the disqualified player will receive a half-point bye.
  Other opponents who drew with the disqualified player will receive a win by forfeit.
  Anyone who defeated the disqualified player will retain a rated win, instead of a forfeit win.
• Forfeit time is 15 minutes: if player is not logged in by 6:45pm and 8:15pm, respectively, the opponent will be awarded a forfeit win.
   

9. Fair Play

•  Fair-play screening: all games will be screened by both Chess.com and by Dr. Kenneth W. Regan, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo.
• This is a US Chess online-rated tournament.  Most USCF rules and consequences apply.
• Players should not use any outside assistance: not have other browsers open and not be talking to other people during their games
• Parents are strongly encouraged to monitor their kids' activity during the tournament to ensure fair play.
• Players found or believed to be violating fair play are not eligible for a prize and their account will be removed from the Mechanics' group.
• Players who are confirmed to be using outside assistance will be reported to US Chess and restricted from future Mechanics' online and over-the-board events.
• Parents -- Please help us educate your child that IT'S SIMPLY NOT WORTH THE RISK!
• The Organizer and/or the Chief Tournament Director can require players to play their games with a camera that records the player playing with a view to the screen. Players should be prepared to provide this precaution if asked to do so.
• Prize distributions and rating submission will take place AFTER all games have been screened.