The Downriver Chess Club, in partnership with New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF), presents the New Orleans Open! The New Orleans open includes a two-day, dual action tournament, a blitz event, and a presentation by local historian Kendric Perkins on the life and times of New Orleans chess legend, Paul Morphy. Prize fund includes a generous contribution from local chess enthusiast, Ted Martin.
Registration: On site registration first come, first serve. Total capacity limited to the first 120 players.
Tournament details: Six round, two-section (USCF rated and unrated/unaffiliated), accelerated swiss system, G/40;d5 tournament. Blitz side event. The main tournament will have a section available for non-USCF members which will not be rated by the USCF.
Date: March 23-24 (Saturday and Sunday), registration 10:00AM-10:45AM, first round pairs at 11:00AM. Please do not enter the building prior to 10:00AM!
Venue: The Moreau Center of University of Holy Cross, 4123 Woodland Dr, on the West Bank of New Orleans, LA, 70131.
Parking: Free parking in the Moreau Center lot. Enter Gate C off Woodland Dr and drive straight to the parking area across from building 22 (double glass doors leading to the Moreau Center).
Concessions: Complimentary coffee, tea, and bagels added when 70 or more pre-registrations are received.
Schedule:
Saturday
Registration: 10-10:45AM
Round one: 11:00AM
Round two: 1:00PM
-Meal break-
Round three: 3:45PM
Round four: 5:30PM
Sunday
Blitz event: 9:30AM
Lecture: 12:00PM
Round five: 1:00PM
-Meal break-
Round six: 3:45PM
Prizes: 5:30PM
Prize fund: Prize fund is $1,500 b/60, 50% guaranteed. $200 will be added to the prize fund for every 10 players above 60. Prize fund applies to USCF-rated event only. Class prizes according to highest of regular or quick rating. Breakdown as follows:
1st in open, $600
1st in U2000, $400
1st in U1700/new USCF members, $200
1st in U1400, $100
1st in U1100, $100
Largest upset prize, $100
Classes: This is an open, accelerated swiss tournament. All USCF-member players will be placed into one section. Prizes based on best performance for your rating group. If you are a USCF member that does not yet have a USCF rating, you will be prize eligible in the U1700 section.
Blitz event: 7 round, G/5;d2 blitz event available on Sunday at 9:30AM, before the Kendric Perkins presentation. Open, swiss system. Class prizes for open and U1400. 70% of total entry fees returned as prizes, 40% for open and 30% for U1400. $10 entry. Registration available on-site on Saturday–cash preferred, Venmo and credit cards accepted.
Pairing: If you have a regular rating and a quick rating, the higher rating will be used. If you have only a regular rating or a quick rating, that rating will be used. If you are paired in the U1400 but would like to play in the open, just let us know. If you do not have a USCF rating but do have a FIDE or foreign federation rating, please let the TDs know.
Lecture: At 12PM Sunday, local historian and chess coach, Kendric Perkins, will give a presentation on the life and times of Paul Morphy, the New Orleans chess legend. This event, like the two-day tournament, will be free and open to the public.
Eligibility: $42 early entry fee if purchased by 3/16. $50 entry fee is purchased by 3/21. $60 at the door. Capacity limited to the first 120 players, pre-register to guarantee your slot. At least 20 entries to be held for same-day registration. Visit www.kingregistration.com/entrylist/nolaopen for most up to date capacity info.
Bye policy: Two 0.5 point byes available upon request, must be made prior to pairing round four in non-emergency situations. Bye requests cannot be cancelled following the start of round four.
Tiebreaks: Cash prizes to be split among all tied entrants.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to local chess enthusiast, Ted Martin, for his generous donation to the New Orleans Open prize fund. This event is also in partnership with NOTCF and New Orleans Public Radio.
Contact: Email info@downriverchess.com with questions. Sign up for our newsletter to hear about our other upcoming tournaments. www.downriverchess.com for more information about the club and club organizers.