9th Annual Potomac Open GPP:30

Aug 16 -18, 17-18 2019 Rockville, Maryland

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

How to set common chess clocks for increment 

Playing Site
Rockville Hilton
1750 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852

We aim to create a pleasant environment for playing chess. Check out some of the unique characteristics of this tournament. 

Results from all previous Potomac Opens

Tournament Features

• Clocks provided in all Section -> just show up to play
• Trophies to the top 5 in the U1000.->More Prizes
• 30" increment time control in the top six sections → No more clock smashing scrambles at the end of the game.
• Score-based prizes → See the advantages below
• Additional prizes for clear 1st place with 4.5 or shared with lower sore, 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 Sunday morning Continental breakfast → Relax, have some coffee and a danish before you start your game.
• Texting or email 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 room rate → Relax and stay at the tournament hotel. $5 EF discount if staying at hotel. Reserve a room
  
• 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 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. No adult unrateds allowed in U1000.

Entrance Fees

Early (online or mail by 8/2) $109
Regular (online or mail by 8/13) $114
Late (online by 8/15) $119
At-the-door (cash or credit card) $130. 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. 

Special Entrance Fees

Under 1200 section: all entrance fees $40 less.
Under 1000 section: all entrance fees $60 less.
Free early entrance to GMs.
$45 discount EF for IMs. 

$5 discount if staying at hotel.

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

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

Byes

Half point byes: all must commit before rd 3

Reentries: available in U2000 and below, $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. Reserve a Room

Rooms are limited.

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

Parking Information

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

Electronic Devices Rules for FIDE Rated Sections (Championship, Under 2300, Under 2100)

Do not bring electronic devices (cell phones and smart watches) into the playing venue (playing room, halls outside playing room, smoking area, bathrooms, etc) according to FIDE rule 11.3. Players are subject to scanning to test for possession of cell phones. We plan to monitor using both thermal and magnetic scanners. Traffic in various areas will also be video monitored.

Possession of a device that is turned on or makes a noise

• Forfeit of the game

Possession of a device that is turned off

• 1st Violation 30 minute time penalty limited to no more than 1/2 the remaining time on the clock for the current time control.
• 2nd Violation Forfeit of game

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.
• Players with byes who are eligible to play in a lower section that also has a bye player may get paired in the lower section as a house player. They will still have the bye for standings in their original section. The game in the lower section does count for standings and must be played.
• All players with a provisional rating will have 100 points added to the rating for section eligibility purposes. See this report on chesstd.com for an explanation.
• No show forfeit time for all sections is one hour or the first time control whichever is shorter.
• At this point in time, the electronic score keeping device, ChessNoteR, cannot be used at this tournament.
• In the sections the no-show forfeit time is 60 minutes.