Emerald Hills Chess and the Tri-Valley Chess League present the Tri-Valley Jan Open, for players of all levels and ages, including youth and adults!
Our low-cost monthly tournaments consistently attract 100-150 players, from high-performance and nationally-age-ranked competitors to adult improvers and returnees to after-school chess club members trying out their first tournament!
Flex your chess skills over-the-board, boost your USCF rating, win trophies and (an increased for 2024) $500 in guaranteed cash prizes, and have fun!
When: Jan 18th, 2025, 9-1 PM (on-site registration 8:15-8:45 AM)
Location: Wells Middle School Lunch Pavilion, 6800 Penn Drive, Dublin (see map)
Rounds and Time Control: 4-round USCF-rated Swisses with Game in 25 min/5 sec delay for top 4 sections; Novices is unrated 5-round round-robin at Game in 15 min/3 sec delay time control
Sections
Open Championship for players of any rating and age
Entry Fee: $50 (USCF membership required)
Free entry for Grandmasters, International Masters, and other USCF and FIDE titled players (including GMs, WGMs, IMs, WIMs, FMs, WFMs, and NMs) - choose Champ-Titled option.
Prizes (guaranteed): $150 1st place, $80 2nd place, $60 3rd place, $60 Top U1200/unrated. Cash split in case of ties. Waived entry fee for titled players deducted from prizes won, which will be awarded within two weeks of tournament being held.
Experts for U1200/unrated (based on Jan. 2025 supplement - check here) players of all ages
Entry fee: $40 (USCF membership required)
Prizes: $100 1st place, $50 for 2nd place. Trophies to Top 5, Top 2 U1000/unrated, and any other Outstanding Performers scoring 3 or more.
Premier for U800/unrated players of all ages
Entry fee: $35 (USCF membership required)
Prizes: Trophies to Top 5, Top 2 U600/unrated, and any other Outstanding Performers scoring 3 or more.
Youth Challenger for K-12 players under 400 rating or unrated
Entry fee: $30 ($20 US Chess Federation junior membership required)
Prizes: Trophies to Top 5, Top 2 U200/unrated, and any other Outstanding Performers scoring 3 or more.
Youth Novices for unrated K-12 first-time tournament players only
Entry fee: $20 (NO USCF membership required)
Prizes: Top two players in each round robin plus all other Outstanding Performers scoring 3.5 or more.
Questions: Admin@EmeraldHillsChess.com
All sections are non-elimination. Players will be paired against players of similar scores each round. They should expect to play ALL 4 or 5 games.
If you have a schedule conflict, you may request up to one half-point bye when registering or by contacting the TD before the start of round 2; additional byes will be zero points. Byes do NOT affect a player's USCF rating.
Players may bring smartphones and tablets, but they must be hidden inside a closed bag and turned off during their games.
US Chess Federation tournament rules around touch move, announcing check, talking with opponents, etc. will apply to rated and unrated sections.
These rules will be shared in the emailed orientation a day before the tournament and also by the Tournament Director before the first round.
Emerald Hills Chess provides professionally-led, competitve after-school chess clubs serving 300+ kids in 12 locations around the Tri-Valley and (new for 2025) Central Valley, as well as small-group tournament training classes open to all K-12 players.
The Tri-Valley Chess League is a student-led non-profit that holds tournaments and classes.
Cancellation Policy: You may cancel your registration 2 days in advance and receive 50% refund. No refunds after that date.
Multimedia: We may publish photos or videos that include your child on our social media or website.
CLICK ON THE BOX BELOW TO ACCEPT!