Mechanics' Monthly Online Blitz Championship - July 2021

Event page: https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/mechanics-monthly-online-blitz-championship

USCF Online BLITZ Rated event via Chess.com

Open for everyone!

1. Platform

• The tournament is played on Chess.com (automatically run tournament - tournament link will be provided).
• 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 

3. Tournament format:

• Tournament format: individual Swiss
• Total Round: 8 rounds
• Round times: consecutively, immediately started after the previous round finished
• Time control: G/5+2  (Game in 5 minutes with 2 second increment with each move.)
• Games will be US Chess online blitz rated - tournament will be submitted 7-14 days after the tournament to allow all games to be screened for fair play.
• Sections: Open
• Pairings are based on the actual chess.com blitz rating.

3.A. How to Play?

• Welcome email is sent out before the tournament that explains all the details 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 0 (zero) point bye.
• 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 OK and it's possible, however, they will receive a 0 bye for any missed round.

5. Prize Fund

• $300 based on 30 paid entries

• Under prizes are based on USCF OTB or ONL ratings (whichever is the higher)
• Prizes are paid out after fair play review has been completed, and results are finalized.
• Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing prize checks.

6. Registration

• MI library member: $20
• Non-MI library member: $30
• $5 admin fee for all cancellations & refunds.

7. Eligibility

• Players must have current US Chess Federation membership. 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!