Mechanics' Institute Online Triathlon

Mechanics' Institute Online Triathlon
on Chess.com

(Rapid, Blitz, Fischer Random)

3-Week Chess Event with Cumulative Scores for Prizes

October 7: 6SS Rapid G/10+2 USCF Online-Rated
October 14: 10SS Blitz G/3+2 USCF Online-Rated
October 21: 6SS G/10+2 Fischer Random, Non Rated -- https://www.chess.com/live#t=2667502

Standings

Platform -- Dates -- Tournament Format -- Byes -- Prize Fund

Registration -- Eligibility -- Tournament Rules -- Fair Play -- FAQ
 

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

• Three Thursdays: Oct 7, 14, and 21
   

3. Tournament Format:

• Each of the three Thurdsdays will have a different tournament.
• All three tournaments will be automatically run on Chess.com, and will be bot-paired based on Chess.com's applicable ratings.
• Each tournament will start at 6:30PM Pacific Time (GMT+8).
• Rounds run consecutively, each one is started as soon as all games are finished in the previous round.
• Section: one Open section for all three tournaments. This is avoid having players with different rapid and blitz rating being put into different sections.
• Total Rounds and Time Control:
  • October 7 -- Rapid: 6 games of G/10+2 (Game in 10 minutes with a 2-second increment on each move.)
  • October 14 -- Blitz: 10 games of G/3+2 (Game in 3 minutes with a 2-second increment on each move.)
  • October 21 -- Fischer Random: 6 games of G/10+2 (Game in 10 minutes with a 2-second increment on each move.)
• The Rapid and Blitz tournaments will be US Chess online rated. Tournament results will be submitted 7-14 days after the tournament to allow all games to be screened for fair play.
• Pairings are based on the applicable Chess.com ratings.
• Pairings will be determined by the Chess.com computer and automatically posted and started by the system.
   

3.A. How to Play?

• A welcome email is sent out before the tournament that explains all the details of how to play in the tournament. Be sure to provide a correct email when registering for the event!
• Players must be a part of the following event-specific club: https://www.chess.com/club/mechanics-institute-online-triathlon-club
• Players must be logged in to Chess.com and go to the tournament link.
• Players must JOIN the tournament, we cannot do this for them! They can join the tournament anytime up to 60 minutes before the tournament starts.

• Chess.com --> Log in --> Play --> LIVE Chess --> Tournament tab --> Upcoming Tournaments

• Games are paired automatically by Chess.com. Most USCF pairing rules are followed; however, players MUST be active on the tournament page in order to get paired. Inactive players will receive a zero-point bye.
• The Tournament Help Desk is available for any player who needs to get in touch with the Chief TD. A Zoom link to the Help Desk is shared with every player registered for the event.
• NEW: A communication channel for the players to interact with each other is now available through Discord.
• Join us via: https://discord.gg/CXktQgn4MC
   

4. Byes

• Byes are NOT available for players. 
• Late registration and late joins are possible and OK, but they will receive a zero-point bye for any missed round. 
   

5. Prize Fund: $300 based on 30 paid entries

	Open
1st Place	$100
2nd Place	$75
3rd Place	$50
4th Place	$25
5th Place	$25
6th Place	$25

• Prizes are paid out after fair-play review is completed and results are finalized.
• Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing prize checks.
• Per IRS rules anyone accumulating $600 or more in prizes in any calendar year will need to fill out a W-9, and Mechanics' Institute will be providing a 1099 form. More details coming soon.
   

6. Registration

• MI library member: $20
• Non-MI library member: $30
• $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 membership? 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 [email protected].
   

8. Tournament Rules

• Standard US Chess rules apply, with special focus on the Chapter 10 Online Chess rules.
• NEW: Announced variation:
  When a player is removed due to fair-play violation, scores will be adjusted as follows:
  1. If two or more rounds remain, all opponents of the disqualified player will receive a win by forfeit, unless they defeated the disqualified player, in which case they will retain a rated win.
  2. If the tournament has concluded, or if there is only one round remaining:
  The last opponent of the disqualified player will receive a win by forfeit.
  Other opponents who lost to the disqualified player will receive a half-point bye.
  Other opponents who drew with the disqualified player will receive a win by forfeit.
  Anyone who defeated the disqualified player will retain a rated win, instead of a forfeit win.
   

9. Fair play

• All games will be screened for fair play by both Chess.com and by Dr. Kenneth W. Regan, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo.
• US Chess online-rated tournament -- most USCF rules and consequences apply.
• Players should not use any outside assistance: not have other browsers open and not be talking to other people during their games
• Parents are strongly encouraged to monitor their kids' activity during the tournament to ensure fair play.
• Players found or believed to be violating fair play are not eligible for a prize and their account will be removed from Mechanics' group.
• Players who are confirmed to be using outside assistance will be reported to US Chess and restricted from future Mechanics' online and over-the-board events.
• Parents: Please help us educate your child that IT'S SIMPLY NOT WORTH THE RISK!
• The Organizer and/or the Chief Tournament Director can require players to play their games with a camera that records the player playing with a view to the screen. Players should be prepared to provide this precaution if asked to do so.
• Prize distributions and rating submission will take place AFTER all games have been screened.
   

10. FAQ

• What do the time controls mean?
  Time controls tell you how much time you have for each game.
  For example: G10+2 means game in 10 minutes with a 2-second increment. This means you get 10 minutes, your opponent gets 10 minutes, and with each move every player gets 2 seconds added to the clock. So one game can last up to 20-24 minutes.
• How many games/rounds?
  The 6SS or 10SS before the time control means a Swiss System tounament with six or ten games that a player can play in the tournament. The tournaments are never elimination, so win or lose you can stay in the tournament.
• Players Database
  For players who are interested in playing in our tournament
  PLEASE fill out our Players database: https://forms.gle/X3hChCWbusHp4Ze56 to get email notifications about last-minute changes and invitational opportunities. 
• Do I need to join the Club on chess.com to play? 
  Yes, players must be a part of the following club on Chess.com: https://www.chess.com/club/mechanics-institute-online-triathlon-club

 

 

11. Testimonials

"As always thank you for directing another wonderful tournament. My goodness, you’ve attracted a lot of strong players.” Tom M.