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 3 optional half-point byes which must be requested at least 1 hour 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 November US Chess supplement ratings, we will also honor peak ratings since October 1.

Adjustment of Section: Players who register for a section that they are not eligible will be moved to the highest section they are eligible for, usually without notification.

Withdrawals/Refunds:

• Withdrawals by November 21 will be refunded less a $10 transaction fee.

• Withdrawals between November 22-25 will be refunded less a $20 transaction fee.

• 50% refunds after November 25 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.

Re-Entry: 

• If players have an undesirable start to the event, they may wish to re-enter the event, for example re-entering from the 3-day to the 2-day schedule, or re-entering the same schedule with up to 3 half-point byes.

• Players may re-enter for a $60 fee online (preferred) or on-site.

• Re-entry closes one hour before game.

• US Masters players who have an unsuccessful start may join the NCO for a discounted entry fee of $100 - on-site registration required for discounted entry.

Ratings:

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

• Championship, U2000, U1800, and U1600 sections are also FIDE-rated and use FIDE rules except for 2-day schedule games.

• Per FIDE rules at this time control, games involving a player rated 2400+ FIDE are not FIDE-rated.

• Unrated players must enter the U1100 or Friday Scholastic U800 if K-8 and are eligible for prizes in these sections.

• Ratings Used for Pairings and Prizes:

  • For most players, November 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 October 1, but who have since fallen below the 100-point cutoff, they are still eligible for the higher section, but the highest of their November 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.

  • 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.

Boards, sets, clocks provided (must use our equipment).

In all sections, White's clock will be started at the start of the round, even if one or both players are not present.

Plaques to first place in main event sections, based on the following US Chess tiebreaks: Cumulative, Average Opposition Rating cut one.

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