Portland Rapid and Blitz Championships:

Format: 6-round Swiss rapid tournament in one section followed by an 8-round double Swiss (16 game) blitz tournament in one section. The highest of a player’s official US Chess OTB regular, quick, and blitz rating is generally used for pairings and prize eligibility.

Time Control: G/15;inc5 for the rapid and G/3;inc2 for the blitz. Bring an increment capable digital clock. Some digital clocks are provided at these tournaments but please do not always rely on the club to provide a digital clock (boards, pieces, notation sheets, and pens/pencils are provided).

Schedule: On-site registration for the rapid runs from 9-9:45am. The rounds are at 10am, 10:50am, 11:40am, 12:30pm, 1:20pm, and 2:10pm. Players who have a game go long can request extra time off before the next round. On-site registration for the blitz runs from 3-3:15pm. Players may also register for the blitz during the rapid. Play starts at 3:30pm and the rounds will run on an ASAP schedule. Play will likely last until around 6:30pm.

Rules: These tournaments use the rules from the 7th edition of the US Chess rulebook. US Chess rules for rapid are the same as regular chess except notating is not required. See the differences between the regular and blitz rules here.

Entry Fee: $25 for each tournament for non-Portland Chess Club members, $20 for each tournament for Portland Chess Club members. Pay during on-site registration with cash, check payable to the Portland Chess Club, or PayPal at email@pdxchess.org.

Prizes: Both tournaments prize fund is $225 based on 20 entries (adjusted proportionally if there are a different number of players). Rapid: 1st-$, 2nd-$, 1st U2000-$, 1st U1800-$, 1st U1600-$, 1st U1400-$; blitz: 1st-$, 2nd-$, 1st U2100-$, 1st U1900-$, 1st U1700-$, 1st U1500-$. Unrated players are eligible for all of the prizes. Prizes are combined and split if there is a tie.

Location: Portland Chess Center, 2025 Lloyd Center, Portland, OR 97232. For driving directions to the club, parking information, and important information on how to get to the club facility in the morning before the mall is open, click here.

Notes: 1) While these tournaments are open to scholastic players, they’re only recommended for mature scholastic players who are capable of playing in a serious tournament and against adults. 2) These tournaments are not rated. 3) US Chess and state memberships are not required. 4) These tournaments are not Oregon Scholastic Chess Federation state qualifiers.