3rd Annual Donaldson Championship -- In-Person FIDE (G90+30)

5-Round Swiss -- Full Weekend, FIDE-Rated Tournament

Open to Everyone!

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

Registration -- Eligibility -- Tournament Rules  -- FAQ

Final Standings -- Winners

Link to Live Games:https://view.livechesscloud.com/#a41c4a36-a754-4c6f-a6e2-1c5b881a03a1
 

1. Dates & Location

• Saturday, December 18 - Sunday, December 19
• 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: 5
• Round Times: Saturday 9am, lunch break, 1:30pm, 5:30pm; Sunday 10am, 2:30pm
• 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 based on USCF ratings: 2000+, 1600-1999, and under1600.
• Pairings are based on the Dec. 2021 supplemental regular US Chess ratings.
• Playup: Players must have an 1800 USCF supplemental rating in order to be eligible to play up to the 2000+ section and must have a 1400+ USCF supplemental rating in order to be eligible to play up to the 1600-1999 section.
• Unrateds can only play in the u1600 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.
• 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 4-5 byes must be requested before start of Round 1. Round 5 bye is irrevocable to prevent prize-fund manipulations.
• Late registrations will receive a half-point bye for any missed round, up to total of 2 rounds.

4. Prize Fund

• $2800 based on 80 paid entries. 
   

  	Open (FIDE-rated)	1600-1999 (FIDE-rated)	Under1600 (FIDE-rated)
  1st Place	$480	$320	$320
  2nd Place	$320	$200	$200
  3rd Place	$160	$120	$120
  4th Place	$120	$80
  Best Under2000	$120
  Best Under1800		$80
  Best Under1400			$80
  Best Under1200			$80

  
   
• 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, 12/18: 8:30-8:45AM
• MI library member: $70
• Non-MI library member: $100
• Play-up for MI member: $15
• Play-up for non-MI member: $20
• Late fee on the day of the tournament: $20
• $5 admin fee for all cancellations & refunds.
• Entry to GM/IM/WGM/WIMs by 12/15. Prize-EF applies.
• Click here to register: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/Tournaments2021/3rdAnnualDonaldsonChampionship
   

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, G90+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 there is a 30 second added to your clock.
• How many games/rounds?
  The 5SS before the time control means there are five rounds or five 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.