Note “No Spectator” policy!
DETAILS AND DATES ARE TENTATIVE
$12,000 Prize Fund – 100% Guaranteed!
June 27-29 or 28-29, 2025
Emory University – Emory Student Center
605 Asbury Circle, Atlanta, GA.
Free Parking at Emory is at the Peavine Parking Lot, 29 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA. Use the covered parking deck for free parking – do not park in the outside deck or you will be charged. Allow ~15 minutes to walk from Peavine to the ESC.
5 rounds. Time Control: G/90, inc/10. 2-day schedule, round 1, G/60, inc/10.
Master (2200+): $1700 – $1000 – $500; top U2400: $600 – $300. 80 GPP.
Expert (2000-2199): $1000 – $600 – $400.
Class A (1800-1999): $800 – $500 – $300.
Class B (1600-1799): $600 – $400 – $300.
Class C (1400-1599): $500 – $300 – $200.
Class D (1200-1399): $500 – $300 – $200.
Under 1200: $500 – $300 – $200.
* Strict 100-point rule used for “playing up” a section – see below.
- Official June 2025 US Chess ratings usually used.
- Players rated within 100 points of next section cutoff (June supplement or US Chess live rating thereafter) may “play up” a section if they choose to.
- No exceptions to the play up rule – do not register for a section that you are ineligible for by rating.
- Unrated players may enter the Class D or U1200 sections and are eligible for prizes.
- Prizes are paid on site on Sunday, June 29, or mailed out the week of June 30.
- For prizes of $600+, you will be required to fill out a W-9 form with your Tax ID # and address.
Entry Fee:
- $125 online by June 24
- $140 online after June 24 or on-site (cash only, exact change), at least 45 minutes before game.
- Free entries in Master Section:
- GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs: free entry, no deduction if registered by June 22, otherwise $125 deducted from prize.
- FMs and Current US Chess 2400+. Free entry, $125 deducted from prize.
- Re-entry: $60 online or on-site (cash, exact change only)
- Castle Campers who pay for the tournament with camp entry do not need to register separately.
Online registration (coming early 2025) is strongly recommended!
On-site registration (not recommended): 3-day – Friday 5:30-5:45pm. 2-day/Re-Entry: Saturday 9:00-9:15am. Re-entry available online or on-site. Cash only, exact change required for on-site transactions.
All registration & re-entry closes 45 minutes before game.
You do NOT need to check-in on-site if you register online – just show up for your first round.
Castle Campers who pay for tournament + camp do not need to register separately.
3-day: Friday 6:30pm, Saturday 1:30pm & 6:00pm, Sunday 9:30am & 1:45pm.
2-day: Round 1 – Saturday 10:00am (G/60, inc/10), then merge with 3-day at 1:30pm.
Up to two half-point byes available, commit before first round. All byes requested during the tournament are zero points.
- NO SPECTATORS – during active rounds, parents, spectators, and players that have finished their games are not permitted in the playing room or nearby hallways. Only staff and active players may be in the tournament hall during play.
- Boards, sets, and clocks are supplied for the tournament only – bring your own for analysis or skittles.
- Withdrawals:
- Cancellations until June 25 may incur a $5 transaction fee.
- No refunds after June 25.
- Cancellations, withdrawals, or 0-point byes must be submitted at least one hour before the relevant round. Players who “no show” or forfeit a game are subject to a $100 fine.
Castle Chess campers who wish to play the tournament should register for the Grand Prix as part of camp registration and continue their room and board plan through the weekend.
OR, if you prefer to stay and eat elsewhere, you may can select “camp only” and register for the tournament separately.