Ruston Chess Knights' December 2023 Swiss

Sections

Players will be split into two sections based on rating. Unrated players may choose to play in either section. Players may be allowed to play up at the tournament director's discretion. This must be requested beforehand.

Registration

You may register early or onsite. Onsite registration from 8:50 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. on the day of the tournament. Early registration ends at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, November 30. You can early register by emailing [email protected], please include your name and USCF ID number when registering. Those who early register may pay on the day of the tournament.

Entry Fee

Early registration is $20. Onsite registration is $30. Cash only. See below for food drive discount.

Rounds

Both sections will play four rounds at a time control of G/45+5. Round times are 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:45 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. There will be a break for lunch between rounds two and three. Rounds will be accelerated when possible.

Food Drive

We will be collecting non-perishable foods to donate to Christian Community Action of Ruston. Anyone who brings at least two nonperishable food items will receive $5 off their entry fee (for families this will be two items per entry). CCA requests no bulk sizes.

Immediate needs

• 2 lb bag of flour & sugar

• Vegetable oil

• Canned chicken

• Cereal

• Tomato sauce

• Peanut butter

• Jelly

• Cans of vegetables

• 1lb bag of rice & dry beans

COVID Policy

If you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home. With regard to face masks, we will follow CDC guidance for Lincoln Parish. If the COVID-19 Community Level for Lincoln Parish is high at the time of the tournament, masks will be required for all attendees. If the COVID-19 Community Level for Lincoln Parish is medium or low, wearing a face mask will be optional. If required, face masks must be worn by all players and tournament attendees in all public spaces of the tournament venue - No Exceptions. Players are responsible for bringing their own face coverings. Face coverings must be properly worn and cover the mouth and nose. Players may be penalized or withdrawn from the tournament for failure to follow this rule. You can check Lincoln Parish's Community Level here.

Details

• Please park and enter in the front of the building. If the front parking lot is full, you may park in the rear, but you will need to enter in the front.

• Byes - one 1/2 point bye is allowed if requested before the start of round 2. After the start of round 2, any byes requested become irrevocable.

• Equipment - please brings chess clocks if you have them.

• Membership - current US Chess Federation membership is required and may be purchased on site. However, we encourage you to register beforehand on their website.

• Cash prizes - Prize fund will be 70% of entry fees received.

• Late Arrival - Players who are running late should contact the tournament director. They may request to have a half point bye or to be paired for round 1. If a late arriving player does not contact the tournament director before 9:15 a.m. they may be given a zero point bye in round 1. If the player does not communicate with the tournament director and does not arrive before the end of round 1, they will be withdrawn from the tournament. Any players arriving after 9:15 a.m. may be given a 1/2 point bye, be given a zero point bye, or paired outside of standard pairing rules at the discretion of the tournament director.

• Unrated players may play in either section. Those who play in the lower section will only be eligible for 50% of any prizes won. If an unrated player does not request to play in either section, they will be placed in a section at the tournament director's discretion.

• Tournament director will also be playing in the tournament.

• Space at the tournament venue is limited, please pre-register to ensure we have a spot for you.