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30th Space Coast Open Chess Festival

$20,000 prize fund fully guaranteed!

An event created by chess players for chess players!

This page was last updated October 3, 2024.

Welcome to Online Registration for the 30th 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 link to the Online Entry.

Click here for a downloadable flyer.

 

Dates: May 2-4, 2025 or May 3-4, 2025

See our list of Past Space Coast Open Champions here

A US Chess Heritage Event!

US Chess Grand Prix Points: 100 (Enhanced)

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 rounds 1-2 for all sections G/60 d5).

Spacious, first-class playing facility! 1 mile from Melbourne International Airport. 10 minutes from the beach!

Hilton Melbourne at Rialto Place, 200 Rialto Place, Melbourne, FL 32901. Hotel room booking link below. Free parking. No resort fees!

$$20,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund                   
6 Sections:
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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.

 

All, Fine Print:

IMPORTANT: By registering for, participating in, or otherwise attending an event organized by the Space Coast Chess Foundation, Inc. (SCCF) you agree to the rules, policies, and terms set forth on our web site: https://www.spacecoastchessfoundation.org/event-rules

Chess set and boards not provided but a chess vendor will be onsite.

 

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

 

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.

 

Entry Fee:

Regular Entry Fee: $124 early bird by 3/31, $144 by 4/25, $154 later, $160 on-site.

Special Discounted Entry Fees: 

$20 discount if unrated or under age 18. Use Discount Code: UNR-UND18 (Discount will be shown at checkout). IMPORTANT: Youth players in Class E/U1200 section who wish to compete for the scholastic player trophies must enter their School Grade in the field at the bottom of the registration page.

Special EF for Brevard County students in K-12 playing in any section: $35 by 4/25, $45 later, $50 on-site. Use Discount Code: BREVARD (Discount will be shown at checkout). IMPORTANT: Players using this discount code are required to select or enter the name of their school and their grade in the fields provided at the bottom of the registration page.

GMs and IMs free entry if register by 3/31, else $144 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 $70.

No mailed entries.

$10 service charge for refunds.

On-site registration ends ½ hour before 1st round (ends 6:30 p.m. Friday or 10:00 a.m. Saturday; ½ point Bye available for later entries).

Tournament Schedule

All Sections except Class E/U1200

3-DAY SCHEDULE (G/90+30 second increment)
Friday: 7:00pm
Saturday: 10:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday: 10:30am - 3:30pm

2-DAY SCHEDULE (G/90+30 second increment except rounds 1 & 2: G/60 d5)
(merges with 3-day after round 2)

Saturday: 10:30am - 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Sunday: 10:30am - 3:30pm

Class E/U1200 Section

3-DAY SCHEDULE (G/90+5 second delay)
Friday: 7:00pm
Saturday: 10:30am - 2:45pm
Sunday: 10:30am - 2:45pm

2-DAY SCHEDULE (G/90+5 second delay except rounds 1 & 2: G/60 d5)
(merges with 3-day after round 3)

Saturday: 10:30am - 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Sunday: 10:30am - 2:45pm

All Sections: Players may pause clocks during pre-round announcements for later-starting sections.   

 

Space Coast Open Saturday Night Blitz

Format: 6 Round Swiss System

Time Control: G/3 d2
Cash prizes based on entries.

Online EF $20, $30 if not playing in main tournament.

Blitz online entry is available until noon Saturday, otherwise $5 more.

The Blitz has a separate registration link – scroll to bottom of this page.

 

Additional Events:

Worldwide Broadcast: the top 6 boards will be broadcast on lichess with live commentary (details to be announced)

Free Master and GM lectures:

  • Saturday: 9:15am: TBA

  • Sunday:  9:15am: TBA

Books and Equipment by Orlando Chess & Games: Friday – Sunday

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Chess on the Beach T-shirts:

Our copyrighted Chess on the Beach T-shirt is available for advance online purchase at the link below.

Wit-T-shirts will offer a similar T-shirt at the site!

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Hotel Reservations:

Hilton Hotel Rate: $159, King or 2 Queen beds, $189 Junior Suite. No resort fee. Free parking.

By phone call 800-HILTONS (445-8667), reference “Space Coast Open Chess Festival” or group code 90V.

Online reservations can be made using our group link: Melbourne Hilton at Rialto Space Coast Open Reservations. From the calendar select your desired dates and the available room types, along with our group rate, will display. Our group code, 90V, will be pre-assigned when using the above link. Group rate is available for 3 days before and 3 days after the tournament (subject to availability).

VERY IMPORTANT: Reserve early. Group rate available until April 18 (5PM) or until Group rooms are sold out, whichever comes first. The group rate is *unlikely* to be available after the cut-off date. RESERVE EARLY.

General Info: Jon Haskel 561-302-4377 (jon@bocachess.com)

Entries: Enter online or at tournament site. No mailed entries.

Payment accepted by Credit Card and PayPal balance via link below. Onsite payments accepted in cash or by Credit Card. No checks accepted.

Early bird entry ends March 31. Enter early for lowest EF. See Entry Fee info above for full details.

 

Register Now!

Space Coast Open Main Event

 

Saturday Night Blitz Tournament

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