Dual Rated Chess Tournament

Sunday | September 21st

12:00PM - 5:30PM

Wonder Building

835 N Post St, Spokane, WA 99201

Hosted by Blitz & Blunders Social Chess

Get ready for a day of serious rated chess! We’re bringing you a USCF dual rated 3-round tournament at G/30; d5, where deeper strategy, sharper calculation, and cool nerves decide who comes out on top. (G/30; d5 means each player has 30 minutes for the game, with a 5-second delay before the clock starts after each move.) Every round matters—come ready to battle for your rating and your place on the leaderboard.

🔍 Tournament Format & Details

Rounds: 3-round Swiss | G/30; d5
Entry: $20
Prizes: Based on entries, typically 2.5x entry fee returned per section
Sections: Under 1500 and 1500+
Registration: 12:00–12:25 pm | Games start at 12:30 pm sharp!
Requirement: All players must have a current USCF ID
Capacity: Space limited to 24 players
Tiebreaks: Head-to-Head | Modified Median | Solkoff | Cumulative | Option to split

⏱️ Why Play This Event?

• Rated games at a longer, more thoughtful time control
• Test yourself against Spokane’s growing chess community
• Build your rating and tournament experience
• Boards provided, limited clocks (13). Please bring your own clock if possible.

☕ Extras

• Food and drinks available from vendors inside the Wonder Building hall.
• Tournament atmosphere will have some light background noise since it’s a public space, but we will be set up in the back area for better focus
• Social, welcoming environment
• Awards ceremony immediately after round three

By entering the tournament, you grant permission for event photos to be used for publicity. Participants assume all risks associated with over-the-board play.

How to get a USCF rating?

  • A USCF-rated game is an official chess game recognized by the United States Chess Federation (USCF), the national governing body for chess in the United States. In rated games, players' results are used to calculate their USCF rating, which is a numerical measure of skill. Ratings allow players to gauge their progress, compete against players of similar skill levels, and participate in organized events, from local tournaments to national championships. Ratings start at 100 and go up as players win games against stronger opponents.

    How to Get Started:

    Join the USCF: To play in rated games, you'll need a USCF membership. You can sign up online on the USCF website. Use my affiliation number A9280179 when registering.

    Learn Tournament Rules: USCF-rated games follow specific rules, such as using chess clocks, maintaining written scores, and adhering to touch-move rules (if you touch a piece, you must move it). Familiarizing yourself with these rules will help you play confidently.

    Find Local USCF Tournaments: You can find rated tournaments on the USCF’s tournament calendar or at your local chess club, such as Blitz and Blunders. Our club offers beginner-friendly events to help you ease into competitive play.

    Play in Your First Tournament: Once you’re registered, you’re ready to compete! Beginners typically start in lower sections, which are designed to match players with similar skill levels. As you play more games, your rating will be adjusted based on your performance.