A single-day Swiss System tournament — five rounds of rated chess. Every player competes in all five rounds regardless of wins or losses. The format rewards consistency and strategy over a single game, with pairings adjusted each round based on cumulative scores.
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Format
Swiss System · 18 players · 5 rounds (Open player field, non-USCF members welcome)
All 18 players compete in all 5 rounds. Pairings are updated each round based on cumulative score. Final standings determine prizes. Affiliated with Salem Chess Club.
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Time control
G/30 d5 — 30 minutes per player with 5-second delay
Each player starts with 30 minutes on the clock. A 5-second delay is applied before the clock starts counting on each move — so games are decided by chess, not clock panic.
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Prize pool
Up to $800 cash — Prorated based on paid registration
Prize pool is prorated based on final registration. At 18 paid players: 1st $300 · 2nd $200 · 3rd $150 · 4th $75 · 5th $50 · 6th $25. All 18 participants receive a Brick Barn PNW gift card and Star Scrum Pro subscription.
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Venue
Rudy's Garden Shop · Salem OR
1288 State St. SE, Salem OR 97301. Hosted in the garden shop space, with 9 boards running simultaneously. Brick Barn PNW on-site table during lunch break and post-event.
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Entry
$25 Early Bird · $30 Regular · Open to all
Early Bird: Now – May 9th ($25) · Regular: May 10 – Jun 25 @ 5PM ($30). Capped at 18 players — first come, first served. Open to all — no USCF membership required.
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Open, Engaging, and Fun
30-second entrance montages · Creative costumes welcomed
Every player enters Round 1 with their own 30-second entrance montage set to their music of choice. Express yourself — creative costumes are welcomed and encouraged. Chess is serious. Your entrance doesn't have to be.
9:00 AM
Doors Open · Player Check-In
9:30 AM
Player Briefing · Round 1 Pairings Posted
9:50 AM
Player Entrance Montage (Optional)
10:00 AM
Round 1 — All 18 players
11:30 AM
Round 2 — Score-based pairings
12:45 PM
Lunch Break · Brick Barn & Rudy's Garden Showcase
1:15 PM
Round 3 — Score-based pairings
2:45 PM
Round 4 — Score-based pairings
4:00 PM
Round 5 — Final round
5:30 PM
Awards Ceremony · Top 6 Announced
Eligibility & registration
The Willamette Classic is open to all players — no USCF membership required. Registration closes June 25 at 5:00 PM or when the 18-player cap is reached, whichever comes first.
1This is an open event. No USCF membership is required to participate.
2Players under 18 must submit a signed parental consent form at check-in.
3Players under 13 must have a parent or guardian present on-site for the full duration.
4Registration is capped at 18 players, first-come first-served. Cutoff is June 25 at 5:00 PM.
5This is an unrated event. Games will not be submitted to USCF for rating purposes.
Tiebreakers
Tiebreakers are resolved by the tied players' choice: a blitz playoff, or a combined prize split between the tied positions.
6When players are tied at the end of the tournament, both options are presented: a blitz playoff to determine placement, or an equal split of the combined prize value for the tied positions.
7Both tied players must agree on the resolution method. If no agreement is reached, the Tournament Director will determine the method.
Draws & stalemates
In the Swiss System, a draw scores 0.5 points for each player. No coin flips — chess decides.
8Stalemate is an immediate draw — each player scores 0.5 points.
9The USCF 7th Edition Rulebook will be followed for all cases of draws.
Play rules
10Touch-move applies per USCF 7th Edition Rule 10B: a player who deliberately touches a piece must move or capture it if legal. To adjust a piece without moving it, the player must first say "I adjust" before touching it.
11All electronic devices must be completely powered off at the table. No phones, smartwatches, or any electronic device may be active during play.
12Tournament Director ruling is final. Appeals before the next round only.
13Chess notation is not required. Players are welcome but not obligated to record their moves.
Conduct
14Spectators must remain silent and at a reasonable distance from active boards.
15Unsportsmanlike conduct results in disqualification at TD's sole discretion.
16Results are final once signed off by both players on the result slip.
