Q: What time do
I set on my chess clock?
A: The
preferred time control is
Game120 inc 30, which means if you have a clock that you can set for
increment time controls you should set it for G/120 with an increment
of 30 seconds (30 seconds added for each move). If your clock is a
digital delay only, then set it for G/145 with a 5 second delay.
Analogue clocks can be set for G/150. A properly
set
increment clock is the top choice for equipment in this tournament,
followed by a properly set digital delay clock with analogue clocks
being the last place choice for equipment. You might also
find
our web page on Increment Info
helpful. Only players in the 3 day schedule and Open section,
using the increment time controls, may qualify for a FIDE rating.
Q: Do I have to
take notation?
A: If you are
using the increment time
controls you must take notation for every move, even in the last 5
minutes of the game. For non-increment time controls you must
take notation until the last 5 minutes of the game.
Q: What is the
policy on rebates?
A: If you were
an early entry and an ICA
member (or played in the National G/30 and/or G/60
tournament)
you can get a $5 rebate by requesting one at the tournament site, see Rebate
Info for the details. Our side events do not qualify for
rebates.
Q: How do I
withdraw?
A: Simply go to
the TD's table and sign the
withdrawal list before you leave the tournament. We prefer
that
you do this at least 1 hour before the start of any round. This will
insure you don't get paired for the rest of the tournament and cause
another player to sit and wait for you to arrive after you have
withdrawn. You can also call the TDs.
Q: How do I get
a bye?
A: Simply go to
the TD's table and sign up
for a bye on the bye request form. You are allowed two
half-point
byes for this tournament. Make sure we know what round(s) and
section you will need your bye(s) for. Bye requests for the
last
round need to be made by the end of round 1. All other bye
requests need to be made at least 1 hour before the start of the round.
You can also request your byes when you enter.
Q: What is your
cell phone policy?
A: Please set
you cell phone to vibrate.
Do not talk on your cell phone in the tournament room.
If
your cell phone causes a disturbance you may lose the lesser of 10
minutes or half your time on your clock in your present or future game.
If you are a spectator you will be asked to leave the room.
Q: What is a
re-entry?
A: A re-entry
allows you start the
tournament over again with a smaller entry fee. When you
start
over you can choose to play on a different round schedule or you can
play on the same schedule with the appropriate number of byes.
All the games you play from your original entry and your
re-entry
are rated, only your best score will count towards prizes.
See a TD if you plan to re-enter the tournament.
Q: What if I
think I will win a prize but I can't wait at the site to pick it up?
A: Leave your
name and address and we will mail you your prize within 2 weeks.
Q: Do I have to
play in my section?
A: Yes, unless
your rating is under 1800
and you pay an extra $10 to play up from the Reserve section
into
the Open section.
Q: If
I enter the Under 1400 section will I play against only other
players rated under 1400?
A: Nope.
There are only two
sections, Open and Reserve. Those Under designations are for
prizes only. The Under 1400 designation is not a section but
a
prize category. You can win prizes if you are the best
scoring
player rated under 1400 (or whatever prize category you qualify for)
but you may be paired with any other player entered in your section, in
this case the Reserve section has players rated all the way up to rated
1799. You also qualify for the under 1600 prizes if you are
rated
under 1400.
Q: What if I
need to make a claim?
A: Stop your
clock and get a TD. If you only have a question find a TD but don't
stop your clock.
Q: What if my
opponent is not there at the start of the game?
A: Your
opponent has 1 hour to arrive (30
minutes in rounds 1-2-3 in the 2-day schedule). If your
opponent
does not show up by then see a TD to claim your win. If you
are
playing whitestart your clock and make your move. Then
immediately start you opponent's clock if they have not arrived at the
start of the round. If you are playing the black pieces then
simply start your opponent's clock.
Q: How do I
report the results of my game?
A: On the
pairings sheet that listed your
and your opponent's names, board, and color, you can place a 1 (won), 0
(loss) or .5 or 1/2 (draw) next to your name to indicate your result.
Many players also enter the result for their opponent.
If
you do not report the result of your game you may not get a proper
pairing for the next round.
Q: What if there is a "Please Wait"
next to my name?
A: A "Please
Wait" means you have an
automatic win because we could not find an opponent for you due to
there being an odd number of players in your section. If you
stick around for the first few minutes of a round, and let us know you
want to play a game, we might be able to find you a game with a player
not entered in the tournament (a house person).
Q: What is all
that stuff on the wall chart?
A: The wall
chart is just a way to keep
tract of things. For each round you can see what color you
played
(W or B) and who you played (your opponent's player number).
You
will also see that each time you win a 1 (or .5 for a draw) is added to
your score from the last round you played. The wall chart
also
contains your USCF ID number and indicates what rounds you have
requested any byes in.
Q: Do I have to join USCF to play in
this tournament?
A: Unless you
sign up as a tournament
member only then you have to join USCF to play in this
tournament. See a TD regarding tournament memberships.
Q: What if I see a
mistake regarding my byes or game results?
A: Report it
right away to a TD.
Q: Can I play in both the Illinois
Open and a side event, even if some of the games overlap?
A: Yes.
