62nd Annual Maryland Open GPP:30

Apr 29 - May 1, 2016
Rockville, Maryland

Championship, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600: 5SS, Rnd 1 Game/90+inc/30, Rnds 2-3 40/90, SD/30 inc/30 from move 1, Rnds 4 -5 Game/90 +inc 30 (2-day schedule: Rnds 1-2 Game/45 inc/30)
U1300 and U1000: 5SS, Game/120 d/5, (Rnds 1-2 Game/60 d/5), (U1300 3-day schedule: all rounds Game/120 d/5)

How to set common chess clocks for increment

Playing Site
Rockville Hilton
1750 Rockville Pike; Rockville, Maryland 20852; United States

Places to eat near the Hilton

301-468-1100

We aim to create a pleasant environment for playing chess. You can read an opinion of our tournaments on IM Akshat Chandra's blog. Below are the answers we received at our last tournament to the question of what do we do better than other tournaments.
 

See pictures from last year's Maryland Open

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New This Year!

• Under 2200 section is FIDE rated
  
• Clocks are provided for the top four sections, Under 1800 - Championship
• more wood boards and pieces
• Beta testing realtime crosstable web page with results as games finish

Tournament Features

• We pair rounds as early as possible and start rounds on time→ You have time to get ready and don't have to waste your time waiting for the round to start
• Players like the way we run our events→ Survey results from last year's Maryland Open
• 30" increment time control in the top five sections → No more clock smashing scrambles at the end of the game.
• Score-based prizes → See the advantages below.
• NEW Additional 1st place prizes to clear first when there is no 5-0 player in the section, added to your score prize→ More prize money
• Clocks provided in the Championship through Under 1800 sections → All you need to do is show up.
• Minimum 2000 rating to play in the Championship section → Less mismatch games.
• Sets and board provided for everyone→ No more carrying around pieces and a board, just bring a clock.
• Free Sunday morning Continental breakfast → Relax, have some coffee and a danish before you start your game.
• Texting or emailing of pairings to your cell phone available (see Dec. 2011 Chess Life) → No rush at the pairing chart before the round
• Free Day guest parking → Don't worry about where you have to park your car.
• $99/night room rate includes Wifi Reserve a room → Relax and stay at the tournament hotel. $5 EF discount if staying at hotel. Reserve a room. 
  
• Hotel next to DC Metro stop→ Take the Metro directly to the tournament.
• Shorter time controls in lower sections → Less waiting around between rounds.

Prizes

This tournament will pay prizes based solely on your final score. All the prizes are guaranteed. If the total pay out in the Open section is less than $1500, extra money will be added to the pay out of the top score group to bring the total to $1500.

Advantages over place-based scoring

Less Waiting

Your score determines your prize. Once you finish your last game, you can receive a check.

Less Uncertainty

Your prize does not get lowered if others tie with you. For example, if there are two 5-0 players, both receive the full amount for 5-0.

Less short draws

The total payout is always higher when games are decisive.

Unrated may not enter U1000 and U1300 and are limited to a maximum prize of $400 in the U1600 section. Balance goes to player(s) with same score or is divided among players in next lower score group.

Results of Recent Tournaments with Score-based Prizes

Results from the 2016 Baltimore Open
Results from the 2016 Chesapeake Open
Results from the 2015 Potomac Open
Results from the 2015 Maryland Open

Current Advance Registrations

Entrance Fees

Early (online or mail by 4/15) $99
Regular (online or mail by 4/26) $104
Late (online by 4/28) $109
At-the-door (cash or credit card) $120. We'll be using Square to process credit cards. We'll also be trying our Square's Card Case app. If you have a Android or an iOS phone install and setup the Card Case app and at-the-door registration will be a breeze.

Read about Card Case at Wired, Slate Magazine, and USA Today.

Special Entrance Fees

Under 1000 and Under 1300 section: all entrance fees $35 less.
Free early entrance to GMs. $50 will be subtracted from any prizes.
$45 discount EF for IMs. $20 will be subtracted from any prizes.

$5 discount if staying at hotel.

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Mail Registrations to:
Maryland Chess Assn.
1827 Thornton Ridge Road
Towson, MD 21204

Mailed registrations should include name, section, schedule(2-day or 3-day). The chief TD for the tournament will be Mike Regan. If you have any questions about the tournament email him at mregan@baltimorechess.org.

Schedules

3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 7 pm, rds Fri 8 pm, Saturday 11am and 6, Sunday 9am and 2:00.
2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Saturday 11am, 2:15 and 6, Sunday 9am and 2:00.
U1000 and U1300 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Saturday 11, 1:15 and 4:00, Sunday 9am and 1pm.
U1300 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 7 pm, rds Friday 8 pm, Saturday 11 and 4:00, Sunday 9am and 1pm.

Byes

Half point byes: all must commit before rd 3

Reentries:

all, $80 except U1000 and U1300 $40. You can reenter any schedule taking 1/2 point byes for unplayed games. If you reenter with a single 1/2 point bye, the cost is $70/$35. If you reenter with two 1/2 point byes, the cost is $60/$30.

Hotel Rates: $99 per night! $5 EF discount if staying at hotel.

Rooms are limited.Reserve a room

So make your reservations early. Phone 301-468-1100.

Parking Information

Parking is free for day guests and $10/night for overnight guests.