33rd Richard Abrams Memorial

The Pittsburgh Chess Club is proud to host our 33rd Richard Abrams Memorial. This tournament will be USCF rated and in person / over the board.

[fusion_button link=”https://members.pittsburghchessclub.org/portal/signup/XSvNa1GKE” text_transform=”” title=”” target=”_self” link_attributes=”” alignment_medium=”” alignment_small=”” alignment=”” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” color=”blue” button_gradient_top_color=”” button_gradient_bottom_color=”” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” type=”3d” bevel_color=”” border_width=”” border_radius=”1″ border_color=”” border_hover_color=”” size=”small” stretch=”no” margin_top=”10″ margin_right=”10″ margin_bottom=”10″ margin_left=”10″ icon=”fa-user-check fas” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]PCC Member Registration – $40[/fusion_button] [fusion_button link=”https://members.pittsburghchessclub.org/portal/signup/rTBC1qPnl” text_transform=”” title=”” target=”_self” link_attributes=”” alignment_medium=”” alignment_small=”” alignment=”” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” color=”orange” button_gradient_top_color=”” button_gradient_bottom_color=”” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” type=”3d” bevel_color=”” border_width=”” border_radius=”1″ border_color=”” border_hover_color=”” size=”small” stretch=”no” margin_top=”10″ margin_right=”10″ margin_bottom=”10″ margin_left=”10″ icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]non-PCC Member Registration – $50[/fusion_button]

[fusion_one_page_text_link link=”#Schedule” class=”” id=””]Schedule[/fusion_one_page_text_link] | [fusion_one_page_text_link link=”#Format” class=”” id=””]Format[/fusion_one_page_text_link] | [fusion_one_page_text_link link=”#Prizes” class=”” id=””]Prizes[/fusion_one_page_text_link] | [fusion_one_page_text_link link=”#Eligibility” class=”” id=””]Eligibility[/fusion_one_page_text_link] | [fusion_one_page_text_link link=”#Byes” class=”” id=””]Byes[/fusion_one_page_text_link] | [fusion_one_page_text_link link=”#Rules” class=”” id=””]Rules[/fusion_one_page_text_link] | [fusion_one_page_text_link link=”#Fair” class=”” id=””]Fair Play[/fusion_one_page_text_link] | [fusion_one_page_text_link link=”#Contact” class=”” id=””]Contact[/fusion_one_page_text_link] | [fusion_one_page_text_link link=”#Registration” class=”” id=””]Registration[/fusion_one_page_text_link] | [fusion_one_page_text_link link=”#COVID” class=”” id=””]COVID[/fusion_one_page_text_link]

[fusion_one_page_text_link link=”#Entries” class=”” id=””]Registered Players[/fusion_one_page_text_link] | [fusion_one_page_text_link link=”#Winners” class=”” id=””]Prize Winners[/fusion_one_page_text_link] | [fusion_one_page_text_link link=”#Standings” class=”” id=””]Standings[/fusion_one_page_text_link]

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[fusion_menu_anchor name=”Schedule” class=””][/fusion_menu_anchor]Schedule and Location

Tournament Rounds: Tuesdays, 6:30PM EST, December 7, 2021 – January 11, 2022.

• Round 1: 6:30PM EST, December 7th, 2021
• Round 2: 6:30PM EST, December 14th, 2021
• Round 3: 6:30PM EST, December 21st, 2021
• Round 4: 6:30PM EST, December 28th, 2021
• Round 5: 6:30PM EST, January 4th, 2021
• Round 6: 6:30PM EST, January 11th, 2021

Location: The Pittsburgh Chess Club.

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[fusion_menu_anchor name=”Format” class=””][/fusion_menu_anchor]Tournament Format

Format: 6 Round Swiss System, one game every Tuesday

Time Control: Game/120; delay 5 (Time limit is 120 minutes per player with a 5 second delay per move).

Sections:

• Open: Open to all Pittsburgh Chess Club Members with active US Chess membership

Pairings:

• Pairings will be based on the December 2021 US Chess rating supplement (see Ratings below). The highest rating will be used for pairing purposes.
• Normally, pairings will be made by Monday noon and will be posted online (pairings page) and on a printed sheet affixed to the wall in the club.
• All pairings are tentative. Posted pairings will become official (aka. final) at 4:30pm every Tuesday. All players who have not withdrawn or requested a BYE prior to the start of each round will be paired and expected to play in each rounds regardless of their results. A player will be forfeited if he or she does not arrive at his or her assigned board to play a scheduled game before the expiration of the default time, which is the lesser of the time control or 60 minutes. Please see Commitment to play all rounds, below.

Ratings: All players must be current USCF members to play in this tournament. Players can purchase or renew USCF memberships in conjunction with entering the tournament. To see membership options, details and dues or to purchase or renew memberships directly online, click here: https://new.uschess.org/become-member. Membership dues are non-refundable even if the tournament is cancelled or the player withdraws. All games will be USCF-rated. Official USCF ratings will apply as listed below in order of priority:

• USCF Regular
• USCF Quick
• USCF Online-Regular
• USCF Online-Quick

Any player who does not have any of the USCF ratings listed above will be entered as an unrated player.

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[fusion_menu_anchor name=”Prizes” class=””][/fusion_menu_anchor]Prizes

$1000 prize fund based on 32 players:

• 1st place – $225, 2nd place – $175, Top U2000 – $150, Top Under 1800 – $125, Top Under 1600 – $100, Top Under 1400 – $75, Top Under 1200 – $75, Top Under 1000 – $75
• Largest upset win (if at least 200 points) gets free entry to any future 2022 PCC tournament! (up to $50)
• Prizes will paid on-site by check. If a prize is not collected, it will be transferred to winner’s designated PayPal account (if provided) or the check will be sent to their physical mailing address.
• Per IRS rules anyone with a cumulative $600+ prizes in any calendar year will need to fill out a W9 and The Pittsburgh Chess Club will be providing a 1099 form.

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[fusion_menu_anchor name=”Eligibility” class=””][/fusion_menu_anchor]Eligibility

• Players must be current US Chess Federation members.
  • Expiration date of membership must be later than the last day of the tournament (ie. through the end of January 2022).
  • Not sure of the status of your US Chess membership? Visit: new.uschess.org/player-search
  • You can become a US Chess member (or renew your membership) here: new.uschess.org/join-us-chess
• Players do not need to be Pittsburgh Chess Club members, but there is a discount on entry fees
  • Not sure of the status of your PCC membership? Visit: pittsburghchess.club/members (old system) pittsburghchess.club/memberships (new system)
  • You can become a Pittsburgh Chess Club member here: pittsburghchess.club/memberships

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[fusion_menu_anchor name=”Byes” class=””][/fusion_menu_anchor]Byes

• Byes are available for players in any round in case they can't participate but would like to stay in the tournament.
• A request for up to two half-point byes will be accepted under the following conditions:
  • All byes are irrevocable
  • A player may cancel an irrevocable half-point bye under the condition that if the player wins, the result will be treated as a draw for prize purposes.
  • Byes for rounds 4, 5 and 6 must be requested before the start of round 3.
  • Bye requests must be made by 4:30PM on Tuesday prior to the round. Bye requests after this deadline will be considered 0 point byes.

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[fusion_menu_anchor name=”Rules” class=””][/fusion_menu_anchor]Tournament rules

• Standard US Chess rules apply.

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[fusion_menu_anchor name=”Fair Play” class=””][/fusion_menu_anchor]Fair Play

• Use of computer chess engines, databases, chess books, magazines, written notes and any other form of external assistance while playing is strictly prohibited. Assistance from other players is also prohibited and will result in disqualification.
• The electronic score keeping devices, ChessNoteR and eNotate, cannot be used at this tournament

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[fusion_menu_anchor name=”Contact” class=””][/fusion_menu_anchor]Contact

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions. Or call (412) 421-1881.

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[fusion_menu_anchor name=”Registration” class=””][/fusion_menu_anchor]Registration

[fusion_button link=”https://members.pittsburghchessclub.org/portal/signup/XSvNa1GKE” text_transform=”” title=”” target=”_self” link_attributes=”” alignment_medium=”” alignment_small=”” alignment=”” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” color=”blue” button_gradient_top_color=”” button_gradient_bottom_color=”” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” type=”3d” bevel_color=”” border_width=”” border_radius=”1″ border_color=”” border_hover_color=”” size=”small” stretch=”no” margin_top=”10″ margin_right=”10″ margin_bottom=”10″ margin_left=”10″ icon=”fa-user-check fas” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]PCC Member Registration – $40[/fusion_button] [fusion_button link=”https://members.pittsburghchessclub.org/portal/signup/rTBC1qPnl” text_transform=”” title=”” target=”_self” link_attributes=”” alignment_medium=”” alignment_small=”” alignment=”” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” color=”orange” button_gradient_top_color=”” button_gradient_bottom_color=”” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” type=”3d” bevel_color=”” border_width=”” border_radius=”1″ border_color=”” border_hover_color=”” size=”small” stretch=”no” margin_top=”10″ margin_right=”10″ margin_bottom=”10″ margin_left=”10″ icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]non-PCC Member Registration – $50[/fusion_button]

• Advance entry is recommended to be assured of a place in any section.
• PCC Member Entry Fee: $40. Discounts for members who are Passed Pawn and Bishop Pair rewards status will be honored.
• Non-PCC Member Entry Fee: $50 until December 5th, $55 after December 5th
• Administrative Fee: $10 for all cancellations & refunds. Refund checks will be sent through the mail and must be requested before the start of Round 1.
• Online registration: closes when Round 3 is officially paired @ 4:30 PM, Tuesday, December 21st.
• Late registrants who register after 6:15 PM, Tuesday, December 7th may have to take a half point bye in Round 1. Players who register after 6:15 PM, Tuesday, December 14th may have to take two half-point byes for rounds 1 & 2.
• On-site registration will be available:
  • Tuesday, December 7th, 5:15PM – 6:15PM
  • Tuesday, December 14th, 5:15PM – 6:15PM
• Commitment to play all rounds: All players who have not withdrawn or requested a BYE prior to the start of each round will be paired and expected to play in each rounds regardless of their results. A player will be forfeited if he or she does not arrive at his or her assigned board to play a scheduled game before the expiration of the default time, which is the lesser of the time control or 60 minutes. Once a forfeit occurs, the player is automatically withdrawn from the event, unless they pay the appropriate forfeit penalty fee.
• Forfeit penalty fee: $10
• Players must agree to our COVID-19 Safety Acknowledgement and Release

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[fusion_menu_anchor name=”COVID” class=””][/fusion_menu_anchor]COVID

Pittsburgh Chess Club has designed the 81st Pittsburgh Chess Club Chamionship to be compliant with current covid-related requirements. Based on guidance from PA Department of Health FAQ, and the CDC, we have listed the requirements most pertinent to this tournament:

• If any player shows symptoms of sickness or fever, their tournament entry will cancelled and fully refunded.
• We will be providing hand sanitizer and latex gloves to anyone who wants them

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[fusion_menu_anchor name=”Standings” class=””][/fusion_menu_anchor]Standings

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[fusion_menu_anchor name=”Entries” class=””][/fusion_menu_anchor]Entries