1st Annual East Coast Open GPP:30

May 25-28, 26-28, 2018
West Conshohocken, PA

Championship, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600: 7SS, Rnd 1 Game/90+inc/30, Rnds 2-7 40/90, SD/30 inc/30 from move 1, (Three-day schedule: Rnds 1-2 Game/45 inc/30)
U1300 and U1000: 7SS, Game/120 d/5, (Rnds 1-2 Game/60 d/5), (Two-day schedule: Rnds 1-4 Game/30 d/5)

Playing Site
Philadelphia Marriott West,
111 Crawford Avenue,
West Conshohocken, PA, 19428

We aim to create a pleasant environment for playing chess. Below are the answers we received at last year's tournaments to the question of what do we do better than other tournaments.

See pictures from this year's Chesapeake Open

See pictures from last year's Chesapeake Open

Results from all previous East Coast Opens

Advance Registrations

Tournament Features

• Clocks provided in ALL sections → All you need to do is show up.
• 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
• 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.
• Additional 1st place prizes to clear first when there is no 7-0 player in the section, added to your score prize→ More prize money
• Minimum 2000 rating to play in the Championship section → Less mismatch games.
• Sets, boards and clocks provided for everyone→ Just show up.
• Free Monday 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.
• $119/night room rate → Relax and stay at the tournament hotel. $5 EF discount if staying at hotel. Reserve a Room
• Hotel near to SEPTA train stop→ Take the train 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 7-0 players, both receive the full amount for 7-0.

Less short draws

The total payout is always higher when games are decisive.

Unrated may enter any section, but may not win over $100 in U1000, $200 U1300, $400 U1600. Balance goes to player(s) with same score or is divided among players in next lower score group.

Advance Registrations

Entrance Fees

Early (online or mail by 5/11) $149
Regular (online or mail by 5/22) $159
Late (online by 5/24) $164
At-the-door (cash or credit card) $170. We'll be using Square to process credit cards.

Cancelations will receive a 100% refund if we are notified at least 2 hours before start of the 1st round.

Special Entrance Fees

Under 1300 section: all entrance fees $75 less.
Under 1000: all entrance fees $100 less.
Free early entrance to GMs.
$45 discount EF for IMs.

$5 discount if staying at hotel.

Register

Mail Registrations to:
Michael Regan
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

Champ - U1600 4-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 7 pm, rds Fri 8 pm, Saturday 11am and 6, Sunday 11am and 6, Monday 9:30am and 3:30.
Champ - U1600 3-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Saturday 11am, 2:15 and 6, Sunday 11am and 6, Monday 9:30am and 3:30.
U1300 and U1000 3-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Saturday 11, 1:15 and 4:00, Sunday 11am and 4pm, Monday 9:30am and 1:30pm.
U1300 and U1000 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sun 10am, Sunday 11, 12:15, 1:30, 2:45, and 4:00, Monday 9:30am and 1:30pm.

 Byes

Half point byes: all must commit before rd 3

Reentries:

all, $90 except U1000 and U1300 $50. 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 $80/$45. If you reenter with two 1/2 point byes, the cost is $70/$40.

Hotel Rates: $119 per night!

$5 entrance fee discount if staying at hotel.

Rooms are limited. Reserve a room

So make your reservations early. 

Parking Information

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

Rule Variations 

• In sections that the organizer provides clocks, if both players are not present at the start of the round, the tournament director will start white's clock.
• Clocks that halt on end are preferred in all sections with increment time controls.
• Any player forfeiting a round must pay a $50 fine before being allowed to play in a future tournament organized by MCA or Baltimore Chess.
• At this point in time, the electronic score keeping device, ChessNoteR, cannot be used at this tournament.
• All players with provisional ratings will have 100 points added to their rating for determining section eligibility.
• In the sections the no-show forfeit time is 60 minutes.