Mechanics' Thursday Night Marathon G/60+5 - May/June 2021

Event page: https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/thursday-night-marathon-g605-mayjune-2021

Five Thursdays: May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10

USCF Online Regular Rated event via Chess.com

Open for everyone - Not too late to join with half point bye(s)!

1. Platform

• The tournament is played on Chess.com.
• 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. Dates

• Five Thursdays in May-June 2021: May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10
   

3. Tournament format:

• Tournament format: individual Swiss
• Total Round: 5 rounds  ---   1 round each night
• Round times: each Thursday 6:30PM Pacific Time (GMT+8)
• Time control: G/60+5  (Game in 60 minutes with 5 second increment with each move.)
• Games will be US Chess online regular rated - tournament will be submitted 7-14 days after the tournament to allow all games to be screened for fair play.
• Sections: one Open sections
• Pairings are based on the May 2021 OTB or ONL supplemental regular US Chess rating. The higher rating will be used for pairing purposes.
• Pairings for each round are posted on a Google Sheet as well as here.

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 stay on chess.com/live at the start of the round and wait for their game to pop up!
• Players must NOT engage in any play (game, challenge, other tournament).
• Games are MANUALLY STARTED by the Chief TD and will automatically pop up for every player. White's clock will automatically start, and games will NOT be aborted due to no move.
• 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.
  Please connect via: https://discord.gg/mbb2cwzU9w

4. Byes

• Byes are available for players in any rounds in case they can't participate but would like to stay in the tournament.
• Max 2 half-point byes can be requested in this tournament.
• Round 1-4 byes must be requested 15 minutes prior to the round start time.
• Round 5 bye must be requested before start of Round 1. Round 5 bye is irrevocable to prevent prize fund manipulations.
• Late registrations will receive a 0.5 bye for any missed round, up to total 2 rounds.

5. Prize Fund

• NEW Increased Prize Fund: $300 based on 25 paid entries

• Prizes are paid out after 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: $40
• $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.

More information on Tournament Rules, and Fair Play can be found on the tournament webpage:
https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/thursday-night-marathon-g605-mayjune-2021