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Welcome to Online Registration for the 28th Space Coast Open! You can register here and pay using a Credit Card via the ChessRegister website links below. Scroll Down to bottom of page for Chess Player’s Information Online Entry Form. 

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All About the 28th Space Coast Open Chess Festival ​

  • Dates:

    • May 19-21, 2023 or May 20-21, 2023 

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  • Master/Expert and Class A Sections:

    • FIDE Rated (USCF ratings used for pairings and prizes) 5 round Swiss System, G/90+30 second increment for all sections except Class E/U1200, which is G/90 d5 (2-day Rd. 1 for all sections G/60 d5). 

    • ​USCF Grand Prix Points: 80 

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  • Prize money:

    • $20,000 b/240 paid, $15,000 Guaranteed

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  • 6 Sections: 

    • 1. Master/Expert (minimum USCF or FIDE rating of 2000 required) $$2000+trophy-1000-600-300, U2400 $1500+trophy-750, U2200 $1400+trophy-700-500.

    • 2. Class A (open to 1600-1999) $$1200+trophy-600-300-200.

    • 3. Class B (open to 1400-1799) $$1100+trophy-500-300-200.

    • 4. Class C (open to 1200-1599) $$1000+trophy-500-300-200.

    • 5. Class D (open to 800-1399) $$900+trophy-500-300-200.

    • 6. Class E/U1200 (open to under 1200; unrated only eligible for place prizes) $$800+trophy-450-250. U1000 $550+trophy-300.  U800 $400+trophy-200. Trophies to top scholastic players in grades K-3, K-5, K-8, K-12 (all students eligible).

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  • Special Prizes:

    • Top Upsets: Rds 1-4: Book Prize. Limit one per player. 

    • Wojtkiewicz Brilliancy Prizes: 1st $200, 2nd $100, 3rd $50 (Judge: IM Javad Maharramzade)

    • Book Prizes to oldest player, youngest player, player who has traveled the longest distance, player who has played in the most Space Coast Opens.

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  • Some details and rules:

    • Chess set and boards not provided but a chess vendor will be on-site.

    • Players in Master/Expert and Class A sections are required to turn in white copies of completed scoresheets at completion of each round. 

    • Master/Expert Section Modified Sofia Rule: No draw offers permitted prior to move 30.

    • Rated players may play in eligible sections as shown in above Section prize details. Unrated may play in any section except Master/Expert but may not win over $300 prize or trophy. Unrated not eligible for U1000 or U800 prizes.

    • ½-point Bye available any round if requested in advance and before round 2 (limit 2).  

    • No Smoking. No computers. No electronic devices during play. Wheelchair accessible.

    • No food or outside beverages are allowed in the playing hall or any of the other meeting rooms used for the chess tournament and side activities.

    • COVID-19 POLICY: Masks are optional. At the discretion of the organizer, based on evolving health conditions, masks may be required. Any changes to the mask guidance will be posted to this website. 

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  • Entry Fee: 

    • $114 early bird by 4/21, $134 by 5/12, $144 later, $150 on-site. $20 discount if unrated or under age 18.

    • Special EF for Brevard County students in K-12 playing in any section: $30 by 5/12, $40 later, $45 on-site (counts as ¼ entry for based on prize fund).

    • GMs and IMs free entry if register by 4/21, else $134 from prize.  Free entry to past Master Section winners listed here (GM/IMs and past Champions e-mail your name, playing schedule & Byes requested to jon@bocachess.com) 

    • Re-entries $60. 

    • Indicate 2-day or 3-day when mailing entry. Entries not indicating which schedule is desired will be placed in the 2-day schedule.

    • $10 service charge for refunds.

    • Registration ends ½ hr before 1st round (ends 7 p.m. Friday or 9:30 a.m. Saturday; ½ point Bye available for later entries). 

    • By mail, online, or at tournament site.

    • Credit Card entry available via website only. Early bird entry (no increase from 2019) ends April 21. See Entry Fee info above for full details. 

    • Send mailed entries payable to: “Space Coast Chess Foundation, Inc.”, c/o Jon Haskel, 7050 W. Palmetto Park Rd, #15-550, Boca Raton, FL 33433. 

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  • Round times: 

    • Rd. 1 7:30 p.m. Fri (2-day: 10a.m. Sat at G/60, d5), 

    • Rd. 2 1:15 p.m. Sat.

    • Rd. 3 6:30 p.m. Sat. (except for Class E/U1200 which is at 5:45 p.m.)

    • Rd. 4 9:30 a.m. Sunday

    • Rd. 5 2:30 p.m. Sunday (except for Class E/U1200 which is at 1:45 p.m.)

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  • Hotel:

    • Rate: $199, Standard, $229 Suite. No resort fee. Free parking. 

    • Reservations: 

      • By phone call the hotel reservationist direct at 321-868-6573 or the Radisson Central reservationists at 800-333-3333 and mention group name: Space Coast Chess Foundation.

      • Online reservations can be made using our group link: Radisson-Resort-Space-Coast-Open-Reservations. Update the displayed default reservation dates with your desired dates and the available room types, along with our group rate, will display. Group code, SCCHES, will be pre-filled when using above link. Group rate is available for 2 days before and 3 days after the tournament (subject to availability). VERY IMPORTANT: Reserve early. Group rate available until April 21 (5PM) or until Group rooms are sold out, whichever comes first. Hotel expects to sell out. The group rate is *unlikely* to be available after the cut-off date. RESERVE EARLY. 

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  • Alternate hotels: There are numerous hotels in the Cocoa Beach area within a 5-10 minute drive of the Radisson with rates between $100-200. They can be easily found in search engines such as Expedia and Kayak. You must reserve early – prices will go up and rooms will sell out as the tournament date approaches.

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  • Side events (Blitz tournament):

    • Space Coast Open Blitz (USCF rated). 4 round Swiss System, 2 games per round (play white and black against each opponent). G/3 d2. Cash prizes based on entries. EF $20, $30 if not playing in main tournament (enter and pay at tournament site). Blitz starts at 7:30 pm Sunday.

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  • Worldwide Broadcast:

    • The top 5 boards will be broadcast on lichess with live commentary (details to be announced) 

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  • Free Master and GM lectures: 

    • Saturday: 10am: TBA

    • Saturday: 11am: TBA

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  • Books and Equipment:

    • Orlando Chess & Games will be vending Friday – Sunday

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