Second Annual Chess Angels Memorial

This event is being organized by the Orlando Regional Chess Alliance (ORCA). 

This event is designed to honor the memory of those in the chess community we've lost over the years. We invite all members of the community to come and support each other in remembering our friends and loved ones. We encourage everyone to bring a picture of someone that they would like to honor that has supported them in the game of chess. In addition, we will have a memory wall with the names of those that we are there to honor. 

Beginning at 9 am, there will be a talk lead by Candidate Master Phil Durand about the great games of FM Alex Zelner and Connor Hannah. 

Check-in will be open from 8:45a - 9:45a on the day of the tournament with registration closing at 9:30a. The first round will begin at 10 am. There will be a break after Round 2 during which a pizza lunch will be provided. After round 4 there will be an awards ceremony and a brief remembrance ceremony at the end. We anticipate the tournament will be complete by 6:00 p.m. 

This will be a four-round Swiss format tournament with a time control of game in 40 minutes with a 5 second delay. 

This tournament has four sections: 
1) Open USCF Rated 
2) Under 1600 USCF Rated
3) Under 1100 USCF Rated
4) Scholastic U1000 USCF Rated 

Entry fee is $30 for Scholastic and $40 for all other sections. A $5 early bird discount will apply until August 23, 2025. You may cancel up to three days prior to the event and receive a full refund, minus a $5 processing fee. Cancellations within three days of the event will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations within 1 day of the event may forfeit your entry fee.

Chess sets will be provided, but we request that all players bring their own chess clocks. 

The cash prize pool will be a minimum of 50% of the entry fees for all sections except Scholastic U1000. Trophies, medals, and/or other prizes will be awarded to top performers in every section. 

Blitz matches will be used as tiebreaks for non-monetary prize determinations when needed. 

All players must have a valid, active USCF membership to play. You can obtain or renew USCF membership with registration online, at the door, or directly from the USCF at uschess.org. Players in the Scholastic U1000 section must be under 18 years of age and either be unrated or have a USCF rating less than 1000. Players that qualify for Scholastic U1000 may choose to play in the U1100 section which will have both adults and children playing. 

The USCF Rating Supplement for September will be used for pairings and prizes. The highest of blitz, quick, or regular rating may be used at the tournament director's discretion. An unofficial rating may be used if the player is otherwise unrated or a foreign rating may be used by converting it with CCA’s formulas: https://www.chesstour.com/foreignratings.htm. 

PHOTO/VIDEO RELEASE: By participating in our event you grant permission to the organizers to use photographs or videos of you that are taken in connection with the tournament in publications, news releases, online content, social media, or in other communications. 

EMAIL POLICY: By registering for this event and providing your email address you grant permission to use the provided email address to communicate with you regarding the event or about future related activities. You may opt out of our email list by following the instructions included with each email. 

ELECTRONIC DEVICES: During play, you may not possess cellphones, smart watches, or other devices capable of chess analysis or communication without the permission of a Director. Such devices may be stored in a bag near your table if they are fully powered down. A player who possesses or views a cellphone in a bathroom, or outside the tournament area during their game, loses the game. To request an exception, such as for cell phone integrated medical devices, reach out to the organizers by email before the event or to a Tournament Director before the tournament begins.