Wednesday, August 20

CalChess Labor Day State Championship

It is time once again to sign up for the CalChess Labor Day Tournament, which serves as the Northern California Adult State Championship (mail-in entry deadline is August 25). This annual event has grown into the largest chess gathering for adults in the Bay Area, attracting about 180 players for each of the past three years. The two-time defending State Champion is GM-elect Josh Friedel (see photo at right). He will no doubt face a challenge from several International Masters and a variety of lesser maestros.

Participants choose between 3-day and 2-day schedules and can play in one of six class sections divided by rating. Improving players may opt to "play up" a section, e.g. For example, I would encourage a junior rated 1900 to play in the Expert section instead of Class A. I am likely to play in the 3-day schedule for the Master section. Wish me luck, especially since I will inevitably be paired against my many high rated students.
  • Event: CalChess Labor Day Tournament
  • Dates: August 30 - September 1 (2-day option is Sunday-Monday only)
  • Location: Van Ness at Pine in San Francisco (1.2 mile walk from Civic Center BART)
  • Format: 6 round swiss in 6 sections (Open, Expert, A, B, C, D/E/Unrated)
  • 3-day schedule: Saturday 10:00, 3:30; Sunday 11:00, 4:45; Monday 10:00, 3:30
  • 2-day schedule: Sunday 9:30, 11:45, 2:00, 4:45; Monday 10:00, 3:30
  • Time control: 30/90, SD/60 except first three rounds of 2-day schedule are G/60
  • Entry fee: $70 adults, $60 juniors by August 25; $10 more on site; $10 play up fee
  • On-site registration: Saturday 8:00-9:30, Sunday 8:00-9:00
  • Prize fund: $5,400 total including $700 for 1st place in Master section
  • Click here for flyer and entry form
I'll be there! Will you? I hope to see most if not all of my students at this big event!

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