The 2024 Sydney Chess Championships is now only 5 days away, starting this Saturday! Please arrive by 10 am at the latest in preparation for the Opening Ceremony. Round 1 will start promptly at 10:30 am. If you are able to arrive earlier, starting at 8 am to assist us in setting up, that would be very appreciated. (Breakfast snacks and drinks will be provided!)
Additionally, please read this whole email to ensure you are aware of all the details. If you are only registered for the Blitz, please arrive at approximately 2:30 pm on Wednesday for a 3 pm start.
There are currently 183 entries between the Open and the Classic. Thank you for registering and participating in the largest chess tournament in NSW since the 2020 Australian Chess Championships.
Venue
Entry to the playing hall is via Felton Road. There is no on-site parking for players, however, there is plenty of parking on the street as no parking restrictions apply due to it being the school holidays. However, because of the sheer number of players, please try to leave ample time to find parking. You should still check the signs, as there are still some restricted parking spots.
The playing hall is located to the right of the entry gate, and the spectator and analysis room is located further into the school, where the staff common rooms are. You are also allowed to use the area around the hall, the front lawn, and the giant chess board. Please see the attached map for reference. Players and spectators are not permitted in the rest of the school, as there may be other events occurring at the same time (e.g. Saturday Language School)
There will be some snacks and drinks available for sale at the tournament. Please ensure you bring your own food for lunch (and potentially dinner). However, there are a few food outlets within a 10-minute walk of the playing venue. (including Domino’s and Pizza Hut). If you have a car, North Rocks Shopping Centre is within a 5-minute drive, and Carlingford Court is within a 10-minute drive. Carlingford Court has more food options, whereas North Rocks Shopping Centre is considerably closer when there is traffic.
There will also be a giant chess board available for use at the school (labelled Chess above). If weather conditions permit, players are welcome to use it. Please ask me before use, as I will need to unlock the storage cabinets.
Entries
Current entries can be found on the website here. You can also open the full entries and pairings page with the link on the page.
The draw for Round 1 of both the Open and the Classic will be published on Friday, the 5th of July. There is no registration for the tournament on the day, so you do not need to check off your name. Please note that the draw will be provisional and not final. If there are withdrawals prior to Round 1, we will alter the pairings with minimal changes to the best of our ability to ensure all players get a game.
Byes
If you would like to take a half-point bye, please ensure you notify us prior to the start of the previous round. (e.g. For a half-point bye in Round 5, you will need to tell us before the start of Round 4). If you require a bye for Round 1 of the tournament, please tell us before 12 pm on Friday. Once the draw is released on Friday, you will no longer be eligible for a half-point bye for Round 1. Half-point byes are not permitted in Rounds 8 and 9.
If you require a bye, please email byes@sydneychesschampionships.rootyhillchessclub.org. There will also be a bye sheet available at the tournament.
Rules
The top 10 boards in the Open and the top 3 boards in the Classic will be broadcast via DGT boards to Chess.com and Lichess.org.
Forfeits occur 30 minutes after the start of the Round. If you are forfeited, you will be withdrawn from the tournament, unless a valid reason is provided. If you are running late, please email the same byes email above so we can provide you with more time to arrive. Players without a valid reason must pay a $50 penalty fee to re-enter the tournament.
All games are played in accordance with the FIDE Laws of Chess. Additionally, no draws under 30 moves are permitted, unless by three-fold repetition. Pre-arranged or absurbed games will also not be accepted, and result in a double forfeit for both players.
Players must keep their phones switched off and placed either face up on the table or in their bags under the table. Players are not permitted to use or access their bags during their games without the arbiter’s permission. Spectators are not permitted phones in the playing area. If a spectator is seen with a phone, they will be asked to leave for the remainder of the round. Spectators who disturb the games will be expelled for the remainder of the day.
If you have any questions about the upcoming tournament, don’t hesitate to email winston@rootyhillchessclub.org
Regards,
Winston Zhao Chen
President & Webmaster of the Rooty Hill Chess Club
Tournament Officer of the NSW Chess Association