Important World Chess Festival Open Notes:

1 - All Grandmasters and International Masters: Receive a free entry provided registration is by August 31. If registration is on September 1 or after, the entry fee is 1/2 of the fee at that time.

2 - 2 Day Schedule: Players registering for the Over 1800 section may only enter the 3 day schedule.

3 - Onsite Registration (Zelle or Cash Only): Before 8am on December 28th. Entries received after 8am will be accepted with a 1/2 point bye in round 1.

4 - Cancellation/Refund Policy: Entry fees will be refunded if requested before the first round is paired. All refunds are subject to a service charge of $20. You may request a refund via email to hanleychessacademy@gmail.com. Please allow 5 business days (10 days as we get nearer to the event) to process.

5 - Byes: 1/2 point byes are available in any round if requested at least 2 hours in advance. December 30th byes must be requested before the end of round 3 and may not be cancelled once round 4 starts.

6 - Default Time: Players who arrive at the board more than 30 minutes after the round has started will be forfeited and removed from the tournament. They may be reinstated on request.

7 - Prize Distribution Policies: Prize check availability will be announced and posted outside the door. All prizes will be sent via Zelle or Paypal. You do not need to stay until completion of the event. Players winning $600 or more must fill out a W-9 with a social security number before receiving their Zelle or Paypal award. Players without a social security number will have 30% withheld from their prizes.

8 - Eligibility: Players who have a foreign rating are not considered Unrated. Foreign ratings must be reported and may be adjusted per USCF guidelines. Under sections are open only to players with ratings lower than the section limit. Players with provisional ratings (based on 25 games or fewer) may not win an amount greater than 40% of the top prize in any under section of the World Chess Festival Open; the balance of the prize goes to next players in line. Official December US Chess ratings will be used for all sections. Other ratings, including US Chess online ratings, may be used if higher. If your rating changes in the December supplement, you will be moved up automatically or down on request. Players rated more than 100 points higher than the section limit during the last 2 years may be moved to a higher section. The decision of the chief tournament director regarding eligibility, rating adjustments, conversions, unofficial ratings, the CCA minimum rating list or other rating issues is final. Every effort will be made to start players in the appropriate section, but if an error is discovered late in the tournament it will be corrected. If there is any reason you may not be eligible for the section you entered, be sure to ask for a review before Round 1 is paired.

9 - Phones: Personal cell phones are allowed in the tournament playing area provided they are powered off and not on your person. Please keep them in your chess bag or leave them outside of the playing area. Phone going off in playing area will result in 10 minutes being taken off player's clock. If a 2nd occurrence happens, the player is forfeited. Player cannot take the phone to restroom or out of the playing area. Anyone who answers phone or receives a text is subject to forfeit.

10 - Membership: Membership in the U.S. Chess Federation is required for all rated events. Players will not be allowed to compete in a tournament without a valid membership.