A Heritage Event and a National Championship Event

Tournament Dates: Saturday, October 8, 2022 - Monday, October 10, 2022

-- This is an over-the-board Tournament that is FIDE and US Chess Rated --

 

Location: At the Chapel for the 87th ABW on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Address is 2503 East Arnold Ave, McGuire Air Force Base, NJ 08641

FREE ENTRY: Current US Chess membership required for all players. We strongly encourage EARLY tournament registration and CHECK-IN.  Both can be accomplished on onsite Friday, Oct 7 starting at 1700 at the Chapel.

Tournament Info and Registration: CLICK HERE to register. Onsite registration and check-in on Saturday, Oct 8, from 0800-0845 at the Chapel. Please check-in to confirm your registration at least 30 minutes before the start of the tournament, failure check-in may result in you not being paired for Round 1.

Event Format: 5 Rounds in 2 Sections, Swiss System, FIDE rated, FIDE rules. Time control G/90 +30. One-hour default/no-show policy.

Sections & Player Eligibility:

• Armed Forces Open: Active Duty, Military Retirees, Cadets, Midshipmen, College ROTC, and Mobilized Guard/Reserve. Bring your ID card, and order if you are activated from the Guard or Reserve.
• Veterans Open: Honorably Discharged Veterans / former military. Bring DD 214, VA Card, or other appropriate proof of your military service. Section may be merged with the Armed Forces Open Section if there are fewer than 6 players in this section, but prize allocation will be kept separate according to the player's section.

Round times: Rounds 1 and 2 on Saturday Oct 8 @ 0900 and 1430; Rounds 3 and 4 on Sunday Oct 9 @ 0900 and 1500; Round 5 on Monday Oct 10 at 0900. A single half-point bye is available for the tournament, declare during Registration or up to 1 hour before the start of Round 2 on Saturday. Bye requests after this cutoff are zero-point byes.

Prizes: Click here to see the list. The Prize List is subject to change depending on fundraising and advance registrations. So please register and donate early!

FUN Side events:
-- Blitz Championship: Saturday evening at 7:30 pm, FREE PIZZA. US Chess rated.
-- Bug House: Sunday evening at 7:30 pm (4 or more teams required)
-- Armed Forces Chess Committee Meeting: TBD

Group Photo: Monday Oct 10 at 0845, just before we start Round 5. Everyone is requested to wear their Class A uniform or business attire.

Awards Ceremony: As soon as possible after the end of Round 5.

Lodging information: Click here for instructions to make a reservation at the ALL AMERICAN INN, 2786 Mitchell Road, McGuire AFB, NJ. We are working to block-off several rooms for the Tournament. Please check the tournament website (www.vachess.org) for instructions on how to make your reservation. We expect rates to be about $85 per night for all ranks/grades, Queen bed. Family-size rooms may be available for $94 per night. No smoking, no pets; huge fines if you violate this policy. Veterans Open participants ARE ALLOWED to use the All American Inn.

COVID-19 Protocols: We will observe the restrictions, if any, that are in effect for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Please bring your mask and be ready to comply with any Joint Base mandates.

Sponsorship / Donations: US Chess is dedicated to organizing and sponsoring chess tournaments for the nation’s chess playing veterans. Sponsors and donations are needed and always welcomed. To sponsor and donate to the cause, go to the US Chess Federation website. Select “Give” from the menu at the top of the screen, then select “Donate.” At the Donate page, you can select your amount to give and the cause (e.g., Military Chess). Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

2022 Armed Forces Open Organizer: Leroy Hill, USAF (Ret.), Email: Leroyhj@gmail.com

Chief Arbiter / TD: Mike Hoffpauir, Colonel, US Army (Ret.), National Tournament Director and FIDE Arbiter, mhoffpauir@aol.com, 757-846-4805

Special Thanks: To the New Jersey State Chess Federation for taking an interest in our event!