Cassiopea Discovery,
September 21, 2024,
Golconda Banquet Room, Naperville, IL

(near Patel Brothers on Ogden)

20 Trophies?  Is Coach Bill crazy?

Observing the 7th anniversary of the discovery of the Jellyfish Cassiopea, considered the first brainless animal that sleeps, by Caltech scientists as published in "Current Biology". Like many Fox Valley club members, the Cassiopea lives upside down, and enjoys hanging out in warm coastal areas.

Three of four sections will be US Chess Rated and all participants must have active USCF memberships to compete. As are most chess tournaments, this is a non-elimination event -- meaning players compete in all rounds, even upon defeat.

All aspects of this posting are subject to change -- but only if necessary -- or as seen fit to do so by the tournament organizer.

There will be five rounds of Game / 25 (minutes) plus 5-second delay games, abbreviated G/25; d5.

Standard USCF tiebreaks will be used -- essentially deciding who gets which trophy if players finish with the same score.

The expected round start times will be 10:10am, 11:15am, lunch, 12:45pm, 1:50pm and 2:55pm, followed by awards ceremony. (10am arrival would be GREAT unless you would like to help set up)   Despite these projected times, rounds may start earlier (ASAP) so please do not disappear -- and communicate with organizer if leaving the premises.

The sections will be non-rated, U700, U1100 and U1500 -- with trophies for top four finishers in each section.

In the non-rated section, players may have previously earned a rating -- but it cannot exceed USCF 300.

Additional trophies for Top Player U1300 in top section, Top Player U900 in middle section and U500 in the lowest-rated section.  In the non-rated section, an additional trophy will go to the youngest player who did not receive a top 4 trophy.

To support the deep trophy array and a few other unusual costs for this, the registration will start out at $27 and go up after 11:59pm Wednesday to $30 -- with other increases to follow as we get closer to the event. 

48 players is the likely maximum number of players in the event (12 per section) -- but this is subject to change at organizer's discretion.  I want to keep this a comfortable environment!

August 2024 published ratings will be used for pairing order and section eligibility, meaning that some players may have higher live ratings than the section maximum, and that's fine.

All equipment -- including sets and clocks -- will be provided.  You may NOT substitute your own set -- but upon TD approval, you may use your own clock provided owner has previously set the clock to the appropriate time control and can demonstrate complete understanding of how the clock settings work to a director.  Black has the first option to substitute.

Notation is encouraged but will not be enforced against 2nd graders and below -- or rated first-timers. When either player's clock drops below five minutes BOTH players may cease notating.

Questions?  Email to info@aurorachess.com. 

Refunds (less 10%) available for withdrawals
prior to 9am Saturday via email.
No refunds for no-shows
without advance communication.

For more information on the Cassiopea Jellyfish, click this link.