Mechanics' Institute ALTO Tournament - 2024 March

Open for players Age 21 & up!
 

Final Standings -- Prize Winners

Date & Location -- Tournament Format -- Byes -- Prize Fund

Registration -- Eligibility -- Tournament Rules -- FAQ
 

This tournament is specifically offered for our players At Least Twenty One (ALTO).
Wearing a mask is optional.
Tournament capacity: 80 players.

 

1. Date & Location

• Saturday, March 23, 2024
• Location: Mechanics' Institute Chess Room
  57 Post Street, 4th Floor
  San Francisco, CA 94104 (click here to map)
   

2. Tournament Format:

• Tournament Format: Swiss System
• Total Rounds: 3
• Round Times: 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:30 pm -- updated schedule based on feedback.
• Time Control: G/60;d5  (Game in 60 minutes with a 5-second delay at each move.)
• Games will be US Chess regular-rated. Tournament results will be submitted immediately after the last round is finished.
• Two sections: 1600+, u1600 & unrated players
• Pairings are based on the March 2024 regular supplemental US Chess rating.
• Play-up rule: Players must have a 1400 USCF regular supplemental rating in order to be eligible to play up to the +1600 section;

3. Byes

• Byes are available for players in any rounds in case they can't participate but would like to stay in the tournament.
• Max of 2 half-point byes can be requested in this tournament.
• Round 1-2 byes must be requested 15 minutes prior to the round start time.
• Round 3 byes must be requested before the start of Round 1 and it is irrevocable to prevent prize-fund manipulations.
• Late registrations will receive a 0.5 bye for any missed round, up to a total of 2 rounds.
   

4. Prize Fund --  $600 based on 30 paid entries 

	1600+	u1600
1st Place	$120	$100
2nd Place	$70	$60
3rd Place	$50	$40
Best u2000	$40
Best u1800	$40
Best u1400		$40
Best u1200		$40

• 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. 

 

5. Registration: Onsite registration: 9:30 am-9:45 am 

• Mechanics' Institute Member: $40
• Non-Member: $50
• Play-up: $15 for members, $20 for non-members.
• $20 late fee
• $5 admin fee for all cancellations & refunds.
• Click HERE to Register: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2024Tournaments/MechanicsInstituteALTOTournament2024Mar

6. 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/join-us-chess
   

7. Tournament Rules

• Standard US Chess rules apply.
• Forfeit time is 60 minutes.

8. FAQ

• What do the time controls mean?
  Time controls tell you how much time you have for each game.
  G60;d5 means game in 60 minutes with a 5-second delay on each move. This means you get 60 minutes, your opponent gets 60 minutes, and at each move the clock counts down from 5 to 0 before the player's time starts. If a player doesn't use up the whole 5 seconds, the remainder of that time is lost.
• How many games/rounds?
  The 3SS before the time control means it is a Swiss System tournament with three rounds, or four games, that a player can play in the tournament. The tournaments are never elimination, so win or lose, you can stay in the tournament.