Club Blitz Championship Tournament #2: G/3+2

The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold the second of our blitz chess championship tournaments on Thursday, October 24th, at 7pm, a seven-round USCF-rated Swiss system event using the G/3+2 time control over one evening. Our blitz championship is aimed at players with some rated or blitz tournament experience and may not be suitable for beginners or for children under the age of 10, given this event could last until almost 9pm on a school night. 

This tournament was preceded by the seven-round G/5+0 event the previous week. The individual who participates in both events over two weeks and has the highest combined score will be declared our Blitz Chess Champion and will receive an additional $100 prize. In the event of a tie there will be a G/3+0 playoff for both the prize and the title–first player to win a game is the victor.

Note that the US Chess Rules for Blitz Chess are slightly different than those the club typically follows in our impromptu blitz events so please spend the ~10 minutes needed to read the rules summary linked here.

Details for the G/3+2 event follow:

  • Format: Seven-round Swiss-system rated tournament in one section over one evening
  • Rounds: Round 1 begins promptly at 7:00pm and participants are strongly encouraged to check in by 6:45pm; subsequent rounds begin 1-2 minutes after previous round ends
  • Control: G/3+2 (blitz-rated game of 3 minutes for each player with a 2-second increment added after each move)
  • Entry Fee: $5 (the entire entry fee will be returned in prizes)
  • Payment: PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12, Zelle: 6504006393
  • Prizes: Two prize groups based upon October US Chess regular, quick or blitz ratings (TD discretion for each player) with roughly 16 players per prize group, winner take all: Group 1, $100; Group 2, $60, based on 32 players
  • Byes: Zero-point byes are available for any round
  • Register: Please sign up in advance using the ‘Register’ button, above
  • Boards, sets and clocks will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a clock if you own one)
  • All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
  • The US Chess Rules for Blitz Chess is short, required reading
  • Our tournament chess rules summary is worth perusing if you’re new to tournament play
  • For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club
  • Join our Facebook group to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events

G/3+2 Blitz Tournament in Two Sections

We’ll hold our first blitz tournament of 2023, a free 4- or 5-round G/3+2 unrated event in two sections, assuming there are sufficient entries. Clock move (as opposed to touch move) and all other US Chess blitz rules apply. First place in each section wins a $25 Kepler’s gift certificate; ties will be settled with a G/3+0 playoff. The first round will begin promptly at 7:15–please register ahead of time via the button, above, or arrive no later than 7:00 to register on-site. Entries are limited to 32 players so register early if you plan to play.

Year-End Blitz Ouroboros

Our final meeting and tournament of 2022, we’ll play 5 or 6 rounds of G/3+2 blitz in a single Swiss section or, depending upon turnout, we may hold 4- or 6-person round robins based on rating (or some estimation thereof). We’ll begin promptly at 7:15pm so please register ahead of time via the button on this page or arrive no later than 7:00pm Wednesday if you plan to play in this event. Registration is free, the tournament will be limited to 36 players and prizes include Kepler’s Books gift certificates.