Please read CCC's Terms and Conditions and Fair Play Policy.

No spectators. Parents and spectators are not permitted in the playing area and nearby hallways and restrooms.

Byes: Up to 2 optional half-point byes which must be requested before round one begins.​​

• All byes requested after the start of round one are zero-point byes.

• Any zero-point byes or withdrawals during the event must be submitted at least 1 hour before the round.

• Players who forfeit a round (no show) or do not provide 1-hour notice to withdrawing will incur a $100 fine.

100-Point Rule: Must be within 100 points of next section to play up (e.g. 1900+ to enter Championship). In addition to the February US Chess supplement ratings, we will also honor peak ratings since January 1.

Ratings:

• All sections are US Chess-rated. US Chess membership is required.

• All sections are also FIDE-rated and use FIDE rules, except for 2-day schedule games.

• Minimum rating: There is a USCF rating minimum of 1200 to enter, based on February US Chess supplement ratings or a live peak rating since January 1.

• Ratings Used for Pairings and Prizes:

  • For most players, February 2026 US Chess supplement ratings are used.

  • For players who would otherwise be unrated, their live US Chess tournament history rating will be used.

  • For players who are “playing up” based on their most recent live (tournament history) rating and using the 100-point rule, this live rating will be used if they would otherwise not qualify for the higher section.

  • For players who are “playing up” based on a peak rating since January 1, but who have since fallen below the 100-point cutoff, they are still eligible for the higher section, but the highest of their February supplement and most recent live rating will be used (not necessarily the peak rating).

  • For foreign FIDE-rated players with no US Chess rating (or insufficient recent US Chess rating history), the following formulas may be used to assign a US Chess rating:

    • FIDE Ratings 2000+: 1.02 * FIDE + 20.

    • FIDE Ratings U2000: usually assigned at par, unless a different foreign rating system (e.g. CFC) is available and used for rating assignment, with possible adjustment by the Chief TD.

  • For players with an February supplement rating under 1200, their live rating will be used.

  • In exceptional cases, the Chief TD may assign a different rating than specified above to a player for any reason. Assigned ratings will never be lower than the current US Chess supplement used for the event.

Registration Cap: 140 players. The organizer may continue to accept registration past 140 players based on specific space constraints.

Re-Entry: 

• If players have an undesirable start to the event, they may re-enter online for a $60 fee.

• Re-entry closes 75 minutes before game.

Changes to registration / mid-event withdrawals:

• All changes to registration including schedule changes, byes, and withdrawals must be submitted at least 75 minutes before the relevant round.

• Players who forfeit (no-show) without notice will be fined $100.

Byes: Players may take up to 2 optional half-point byes, request before round 1.  All byes requested during the tournament are zero points.

Withdrawals / Refunds:

• Withdrawals by February 14 will be refunded less a $10 transaction fee.

• Withdrawals between February 15-18 will be refunded less a $20 transaction fee.

• 50% refunds after February 18 until 75 minutes before round 1.

• All withdrawals during the event must be submitted at least 75 minutes before the affected round.

• Failure to notify us of a pending withdrawal or zero-point bye which leads to a forfeit by "no-show" will incur a fine of $100.

Equipment: Boards, sets, clocks provided (must use our equipment). Players must use the provided carbon-copy scoresheets and hand in a copy to an arbiter after each game. Personal scorebooks/scoresheets are not permitted.

Plaque to first place in each section, based on US Chess cumulative tiebreak and "average opposition rating, drop one" tiebreak if necessary.

By registering for or attending this event, players and guests grant permission to CCC to take and use photographs and video for purposes related to the event.