Saturday, February 24, 2024 to Sunday, February 25, 2024
4-Round Swiss -- Full Weekend, FIDE-Rated Tournament
Open to Everyone!
Standings -- Pairings
Dates & Location -- Tournament Format -- Byes -- Prize Fund
Registration -- Eligibility -- Tournament Rules -- Change Request Form -- FAQ
Masks are optional in the chess room.
Tournament capacity: 80 players
1. Dates & Location
• Saturday, Feb 24 - Sunday, Feb 25
• Location: Mechanics' Institute Chess Room
57 Post Street, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104 (click here to map)
2. Tournament Format:
• Tournament Format: Individual Swiss
• Total Rounds: 4
• Round Times: Saturday 10:00 am, 2:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am, 2:00 pm
• Time Control: G/90+30s inc (Game in 90 minutes with a 30-second increment after each move.)
• Games will be US Chess regular-rated and FIDE-rated. Tournament results will be submitted immediately after the last round is finished.
• Sections: 2000+, 1600-1999 and under1600.
• Pairings are based on the Feb 2024 supplemental regular US Chess ratings.
• Play-up:Players must have a 1800 USCF regular supplemental or actual rating in order to be eligible to play up to the 2000+ section, and similarly, players must have a 1400 USCF regular supplemental or actual rating in order to be eligible to play up to the 1600-1999 section.
• Unrated players can only play in the u1600 section.
• To request any change, please use the Change Request Form.
3. Byes
• Byes are available for players in any round in case they can't participate but would like to stay in the tournament.
• A maximum of 2 half-point byes can be requested in this tournament.
• Round 1-3 byes must be requested 15 minutes prior to the round start time.
• Round 4 byes must be requested before the start of Round 1. Round 4 bye is irrevocable to prevent prize-fund manipulations.
• Late registrations will receive a half-point bye for any missed round, up to a total of 2 rounds.
• To request a bye after registration, please use the Change Request Form.
4. Prize Fund
• $2600 based on 80 paid entries.
| 2000+ | 1600-1999 | u1600 | |
| 1st Place | $425 | $325 | $250 |
| 2nd Place | $325 | $225 | $150 |
| 3rd Place | $225 | $125 | $100 |
| Best under2200 | $100 | ||
| Best under2000 | $100 | ||
| Best under1800 | $75 | ||
| Best under1600 | $75 | ||
| Best under1400 | $50 | ||
| Best under1200 | $50 |
• Under prizes are based on USCF OTB rating.
• 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 W-9 form and Mechanics' Institute will be providing a 1099 form at the end of the calendar year.
5. Registration
• Onsite Registration: Saturday, Feb 24: 9:30-9:45am
• Mechanics' Institute Member: $70
• Non-Member: $100
• Play-up: $15 for member, $20 for non-members.
• Late fee on the day of the tournament: $20
• $5 admin fee for all cancellations & refunds.
• Free entry for GM/IM/WGM/WIMs by Feb 20.
• Click here to register: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2024Tournaments/2ndNeilFalconerMemorialTournament
• To request any change, please use the Change Request Form.
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/player-search
7. Tournament Rules
• Standard US Chess and modified FIDE rules apply.
• Forfeit time is 60 minutes. Please be considerate of your opponent, and don't be late! Let us know if you can't make it to one round!
8. FAQ
• What do the time controls mean?
The time controls tell you how much time you have for each game.
For example, G/90+30inc means game in 90 minutes with a 90-second increment with each move. This means you get 90 minutes, your opponent gets 90 minutes, and at each move 30 seconds are added to your clock.
• How many games/rounds?
The 4SS before the time control means there are four rounds or four games 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 tournaments, please fill out our Players database: https://forms.gle/X3hChCWbusHp4Ze56 to get email notifications about last-minute changes and invitational opportunities.
