Welcome to the official FAQ page for the upcoming US Chess Members-Only Blitz Arena on Chess.com! This fast-paced and fun event is open exclusively to current US Chess members and features multiple ways to win prizes.
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
- Date: Friday, August 15, 2025
- Start Time: 3:00 PM Central Time (CST)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Platform: Chess.com
- Rating: Chess.com Rated ONLY
- Time Control: 5 minutes per player, no increment (5+0)
- Arena Format: Continuous pairings; finish a game and jump into the next!
- Chess.com Arena FAQ
📝 REGISTRATION
- Q: Who can participate?
A: This arena is exclusive to current active US Chess members.
- Q: How do I register?
1. Make sure your US Chess membership is active.
2. Connect your Chess.com account to your US Chess profile (see instructions here)
3. Complete the Tournament Registration Form
4.Join the official US Chess Members Only Prize Arena group on Chess.com (you will be verified).
5. On the day of the event, visit the tournament link (posted in advance via email and the group page) and click “Join” before the start time.
- Q: Is there a registration fee?
A: No! Participation is completely free for active US Chess members.
🎮 PLAY & FORMAT
- Q: How does an arena work?
A: Players are paired continuously during the event—win, lose, or draw, you'll be matched again right away. Arena points are awarded based on wins, draws, and win streaks. For more, see the Chess.com Arena FAQ page.
- Q: What’s the time control?
A: The time control is 5 minutes per player with no increment (5+0).
- Q: Can I join late or leave early?
A: Yes! You can join the arena at any point after it starts, and you're free to leave before it ends. However, your prize eligibility depends on your overall performance.
🏆 PRIZES
Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
- 🥇 Top 3 Overall Performers (based on Arena points)
- 💥 Biggest Rating Upset Win (largest gap between players' Chess.com blitz ratings)
- 🔥 Longest Win Streak (most consecutive wins during the arena)
- Q: How will winners be contacted?
A: Winners will be contacted via the email and/or phone number associated with their US Chess membership to coordinate the delivery of their prize.
- Q: Are there tiebreakers?
A: Yes. Chess.com’s arena leaderboard and tiebreak algorithms will be used. For specialty prizes (upset/win streak), we will manually verify and announce winners.
- Q: What do the winners get as a prize?
A: Winners will receive a 2025 US Chess Team USA Uniform jacket (see images and size chart below)
🛡️ FAIR PLAY
- Q: What fair play measures are in place?
A: All games are subject to Chess.com's fair play detection with US Chess oversight. Any player flagged for suspicious behavior will be disqualified.
- Q: What equipment will I need?
A: Players will need a laptop with a Windows (PC) or iOS (Mac) operating system (Linux and ChromeOS are not supported). Phones and tablets are also not supported.
A: Players will also need to download the Proctor software to comply with Chess.com’s FairPlay policy. Instructions to download and use Proctor are HERE
A: In compliance with Proctor, players will also need a working camera connected to their PC or laptop device.
🤝 COMMUNITY CONDUCT
- Q: Is there a code of conduct?
A: Yes. Participants are expected to display good sportsmanship and follow all US Chess and Chess.com community guidelines. Abusive behavior or unsportsmanlike conduct may lead to removal from the event, future events, and potential membership suspension from US Chess.
❓ NEED HELP?
- Q: Who can I contact with issues or questions?
A: You can post in the US Chess Members Only Prize Arena club forum on Chess.com for general questions and a moderator will assist you.
We’re excited to bring together our members for this thrilling online competition! Whether you're gunning for prizes or just playing for fun, we hope to see you in the arena. Good luck and have fun!
