2024 American Cup - Regulations

1. FORMAT:

The American Cup (“the Event”) is two tournaments, (Open Section and Women's Section) each an double-elimination knockout event.

2. PROMPT ARRIVAL:

Players are expected to arrive promptly for their games. Players not at their board at the beginning of each round may receive a fine of $1,000 to be deducted from their prize for each occurrence. Players more than 10 (ten) minutes late for a round shall forfeit that round. Players who withdraw or forfeit a game may not receive any prize money.

3. NO DRAWS:

A “no draw” rule will be in effect throughout the Event, including any playoff games. No player may offer nor accept a draw. In the event of a claim for a draw under Article 9.2 of the FIDE Laws of Chess (three-fold repetition) or under Article 9.3 of the Laws (50 move rule), one of the Event Arbiters must be asked by the players to verify the claim.

4. NO CELL PHONES:

No cell phones or other electronic devices shall be allowed in the tournament area. Any violation of this policy will result in a fine of $1,000 to be deducted from the Player's prize for each occurrence. In addition to the fine, a violation involving a cell phone or other electronic device that emits any noise during a game shall result in forfeiture of that game. If a violation occurs in subsequent games, the same penalties shall apply.

5. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Each round shall begin at the start times listed in the Schedule of Events attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Schedule of Events”).

6. PAIRINGS & SCORING:

6.1 - Each round shall consist of a 4-game match followed by playoff games should they be needed.

6.2 - Players will be seeded and pairing numbers assigned 1-8 based on their March FIDE classical rating. Any players with the same rating will be listed alphabetically by last name.

6.3 - Players will be paired 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5 in the first round. The higher-seeded player will receive white in game 1 and 4 of each match.

6.4 -If a player loses a match, they shall move to the Elimination Bracket as shown below.

6.5 - If a player loses a second match, that player shall be eliminated from the Event.

6.6 - See the tournament bracket for further rounds.

7. TIME CONTROL:

7.1 -The classical time control shall be game in ninety (90) minutes plus thirty (30)-seconds increment from move one (G/90+30).

7.2 -The rapid time control shall be game in fifteen (15) minutes plus ten (10)-seconds increment from move one (G/15+10).

7.3 -The playoff time control shall be game in three (3) minutes plus two (2)-seconds increment from move one (G/3+2).

7.4 -In the Championship Bracket, each match will consist of four games, two classical and two rapid games.

7.5 -In the Elimination Bracket, each match will consist of four rapid games.

7.6 -In the Playoffs, players shall contest a two-game blitz match. If the match ends in a tie, the players shall repeat this process until a winner is determined.

7.7 -Should match 14 (winner of the Championship Bracket vs. winner of the Elimination Bracket) result in one lost match per player, the two players shall contest a 4-game rapid match (match 15) followed by playoff games (if necessary).

8. PRIZES:

The total prize fund shall be $400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars).

       8.1 - A player who wins the Championship Bracket shall receive an additional prize bonus as outlined in the table below.

9. ARBITRATION:

9.1-The tournament shall be played according to the FIDE Laws of Chess. Games shall be submitted for rating to FIDE, US Chess and URS.

9.2 -The tournament shall be supervised by the Chief Arbiter (the “CA”).

9.2.1- The CA shall be responsible for ensuring fair play and implementing any anti-cheating measures.

9.2.2- If a player wishes to appeal a decision of the CA, they must do so immediately after the game by notifying the CA.

9.2.3- The Chief Organizer (the “CO”) shall appoint a three (3)-person appeals committee consisting of at least two (2) arbiters (the “Appeals Committee”). The CO shall be Tony Rich, IA, IO.

9.2.4- Decisions of the Appeals Committee are final.

9.3 - In the event of an unexpected occurrence, the CA reserves the right to make all decisions in conjunction with or on behalf of the CO.

1. FORMAT:

The American Cup Blitz (“the Blitz Event”) is a 7-round Swiss System tournament played at blitz time controls.

2. PARTICIPANTS:

The Blitz Event will include  25-50 players, selected as follows:

2.1 - The 6 players eliminated from Open Section

2.2 -The 6 players eliminated from Women's Section

2.3 - 5-10 titled players (GM/IM/WGM/WIM/FM/NM) from Saint Louis University

2.4 -5-10 titled players (GM/IM/WGM/WIM/FM/NM) from Webster University

2.5 - 5-10 titled players (GM/IM/WGM/WIM/FM/NM) from the University of Missouri Columbia

2.6 - Other players as approved by the CO

3. ENTRY FEE:

There shall be  no entry fee  to participate in the American Cup Blitz.

4. PROMPT ARRIVAL:

Players are expected to arrive promptly for their games. Players not at their board at the beginning of each round may receive a fine of $100 to be deducted from their prize for each occurrence. Players more than 3 (three) minutes late for a round shall forfeit that round. Players who withdraw or forfeit a game may not receive any prize money.

5. NO DRAWS:

A “no draw” rule will be in effect throughout the Blitz Event. No player may offer nor accept a draw. In the event of a claim for a draw under Article 9.2 of the FIDE Laws of Chess (three-fold repetition) or under Article 9.3 of the Laws (50 move rule), one of the Blitz Event Arbiters must be asked by the players to verify the claim.

6. NO CELL PHONES:

No cell phones or other electronic devices shall be allowed in the tournament area. Any violation of this policy will result in a fine of $100 to be deducted from the Player's prize for each occurrence. In addition to the fine, a violation involving a cell phone or other electronic device that emits any noise during a game shall result in forfeiture of that game. If a violation occurs in subsequent games, the same penalties shall apply.

7. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Each round shall begin at the start times listed below.

8. PAIRINGS & SCORING:

8.1 -Rounds will be paired according to the FIDE Swiss System

8.2 -Standard scoring of 1 - ½ - 0 shall apply

8.3 -The higher of a Player’s classical FIDE rating or blitz FIDE rating will be used for pairings and prizes.

9. TIME CONTROL:

9.1 -The time control shall be game in three (3) minutes plus two (2)-seconds increment from move one (G/3+2).

10. PRIZES:

The total prize fund shall be $21,700 (Twenty One Thousand Seven Hundred U.S. Dollars).

11. Tiebreak & Playoffs:

There shall be no playoff for any tied players. All prize money earned by tied players shall be split equally.

12. Arbitration:

12.1-The tournament shall be played according to the FIDE Laws of Chess. Games shall be submitted for rating to FIDE and URS.

12.2-The tournament shall be supervised by the Chief Arbiter (the “CA”).

12.2.1-    The CA shall be responsible for ensuring fair play and implementing any anti-cheating measures.

12.2.2-    If a player wishes to appeal a decision of the CA, they must do so immediately after the game by notifying the CA.

12.2.3-    The Chief Organizer (the “CO”) shall appoint a three (3)-person appeals committee consisting of at least two (2) arbiters (the “Appeals Committee”). The CO shall be Tony Rich, IA, IO.

12.2.4-    Decisions of the Appeals Committee are final.

In the event of an unexpected occurrence, the CA reserves the right to make all decisions in conjunction with or on behalf of the CO.