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2026 American Cup Blitz Regulations | (EG)
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2026 American Cup Blitz Regulations

  1. Format: The American Cup Blitz (“the Blitz Event”) is a 9-round Swiss System tournament played at blitz time controls.

  2. Participants: The Blitz Event will include up to 100 players, selected by the organizers.

  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 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.

Time

Round

2:45 PM

Player Meeting

3:00 PM

Round 1

3:20 PM

Round 2

3:40 PM

Round 3

4:00 PM

Round 4

4:20 PM

Round 5

4:40 PM

Round 6

5:00 PM

Round 7

5:20 PM

Round 8

5:40 PM

Round 9

  1. Pairings & Scoring:

  1. Rounds will be paired according to the FIDE Swiss System
  2. Standard scoring of 1 - ½ - 0 shall apply.
  3. The higher of a Player’s classical FIDE rating or blitz FIDE rating will be used for pairings and prizes.

  1. Time Control:

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

  1. Prizes: The total prize fund shall be $22,500 (Twenty Two Thousand Five Hundred U.S. Dollars). 

Place

Prize

1st

$5,000

2nd

$4,000

3rd

$3,000

U2600 1st

$2,500

U2600 2nd

$1,500

U2500 1st

$2,000

U2500 2nd

$1,000

U2400 1st

$1,250

U2400 2nd

$1,000

Woman’s 1st

$750

Women’s 2nd

$500

Total

$22,500

  1. Tiebreak & Playoffs

  1. There shall be no playoff for any tied players. All prize money earned by tied players shall be split equally.
  1. Arbitration
  1. The tournament shall be played according to the FIDE Laws of Chess. Games         shall be submitted for rating to FIDE and URS.
  2. The tournament shall be supervised by the Chief Arbiter (the “CA”).  
  1. The CA shall be responsible for ensuring fair play and implementing any anti-cheating measures.
  2. If a player wishes to appeal a decision of the CA, they must do so immediately after the game by notifying the CA.
  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 Richard Pointer, IA, IO.
  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.