Events‎ > ‎

Winter Classic

2021 Winter Classic


9 rounds on Tuesdays from 25 May to 27 July 2021

(Tuesday 27 July is set aside as a spare week in case  venue unavailability)

 Tournament Information and Rules 

2021 Winter Classic




Location: Norths (formerly North Sydney Leagues Club), cnr Abbott & Palmer Streets, Cammeray.

Format: 8 rounds (Dutch) Swiss, with pairings by Vega.

Start Time: Games start at 7:30 pm.

Schedule: 
Tuesdays from 25 May to 27 July (rounds may be reduced in case of venue unavailability).

Eligibility: Open. Players who are not Australian residents must have a FIDE ID.

Entry Fees: $15 for Norths Chess Club members; $25 for non-members. GM, WGM, IM and WIM free.

Draw: The provisional draw will be published on the Sunday evening prior to each round.

Prizes: 1st: $150 2nd: $100 3rd: $50; Rating Group A: $50 Rating Group B: $50; Unrated: $25 (based on 40 entries). Prizes will be shared equally among players on the same score but each player may only receive one prize.

Ratings: Results will be submitted for inclusion in the ACF Classic and FIDE Standard rating lists. A player's tournament rating will be determined using the following hierarchy:
  1. ACF Classic
  2. FIDE Standard
  3. FIDE Rapid
  4. FIDE Blitz
Players without any of these ratings will be considered to be unrated.

Byes: Postponements are not permitted. However, up to two half-point byes may be requested for rounds 1-7. Notice to the arbiter must be received by 7pm on the Sunday prior to the round.

Time Control: All moves in 60 minutes + 30 seconds (Fischer) increment per move from move 1.

Forfeit Time: 1 hour after the commencement of the round (at the Arbiter’s discretion). 

Tiebreaks: In the event of ties, prize monies will be shared. The rank order will be determined by applying the following tiebreaks in descending order: 

Direct encounter 
Buchholtz Cut 1 
Average Rating of Opponents Cut 1 

Rules: The FIDE Laws of Chess apply.

Arbiter: Robert Watson 

Appeals panel:  TBA

Notes: 
  • Players may win one prize only. 
  • Rating prizes are awarded based on a player's tournament rating. Players without a tournament rating are considered to be unrated and are ineligible for rating prizes.
  • Rating Group A and B are the players in the 2nd and 3rd thirds of the rated players (e.g. if there are 30 rated players, Rating Groups A and B include the 11th-20th and 21st-30th rated players).
Entries close: Entries must be received by  21 May 2021. Late entries will be accepted at the arbiter's discretion, with up to two byes automatically allocated for missed rounds.

Entry: To enter CLICK HERE to complete THE ON LINE FORM. If not paid online, cheques and money orders make payable to Norths Chess Club. Entry payment is accepted at club meetings or make a bank transfer to Norths Chess Club, BSB 062 181, Account number 1044 1917 (use your name and Winter in the reference).

Due to space limitations and Covid-19 rules entry to this tournament is limited to 55 players. Numbers may change should more space become available. Once maximum capacity is reached, there will be a waiting list. Entries over the number limit will be refunded. 

Enquiries: northsydneychess@gmail.com.