Thursday, June 26, 2014

33 Advanced Registered for 4th Orwell - Four sections strong!

Registrations have been solid for the 4th Orwell Memorial as of the deadline for early registration.

But in order to assure the deepest field of players possible, I am willing to extend the early registration discount through 11:59pm Friday for anyone who includes a line from any George Orwell novel along with their USCF ID # and an indication which section they wish to play.

Furthermore, ICA members will receive the early registration discount even if they just show up on tournament day (registration ends at 8:45am).

Hope to see you early Saturday!

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Orwell Memorial Registrations Now Open - June 28th Looms

After nearly a six-month hiatus from USCF-rated tournaments, the DeKalb Chess Club is proud to host the next stop on the 2014 Illinois Chess Tour.

For the fourth year, the DeKalb club is observing the birthday of the author of Animal Farm and 1984 (born 6/25/1903). Legend has it, that Eric Blair (before he adopted his epic pen name) played chess between customers at a London bookshop where he worked as a young man.

Once again the Orwell will feature comfortable playing conditions, relatively long time controls (Game/60 plus a 5-second delay) and competitive sections, Open, Under 1600 and Under 1200. As usual with DeKalb tournaments, the TD reserves the option of re-arranging sections depending upon registrations received in order to assure the most equitable sections for the greatest number. Requests to "play up" will be considered because many players enjoy challenging themselves with tougher competition than their current rating may dictate.

Updated: We now have enough interest to offer an Under 800 section (with an additional prize available for the top scorer rated U600). The time control for the U800 will be Game 30 (with no delay) and there will be five rounds instead of four as in the other sections. The first round will get going shortly after 9am when the other sections start, but you should try to register by 8:45am.  The U800 will finish up in the middle of the afternoon, but if family members are playing in the main event, we will offer activities to keep participants busy until the other sections conclude.

In addition to the section prizes, there are usually at least one "Under Prize" in each section to recognize the players who are lower-rated when the day begins. So pretty much everyone is in contention for some prize until usually at least the third round.

Because of travel and the early start time, 1/2 point byes are available for the FIRST round only. (Second round should start around 11:15 am.)

A flyer for the tournament can be downloaded here.

Registrants so far (updated 6/19/14): [33 confirmed so far, several more maybes, 36-40 entries projected]

Open: (8-12) Rudy P, Jason D, James C., Chelsea, Aaron M., Adam B, Tom B., James D.

Reserve: (14-16) Erik C, Cliff A, Elijah P., Arnold O., Luis M (unr),  Jonathan G., David B., Aidan C, Arthur X., Joey B. William L, Archit, Don, Bill B., John (?)

Booster:
 (5-8) Scott D., Gary S., Charlie H,  Paul S., James F.,

U800:
(6-8) Bryce L., Jeremiah D.. Lori B., Ben B., Reese, Nathan (?), Alex, Ryan (?)

Who's next?