About This Tournament
Join us this Thanksgiving weekend for the BayAreaChess Thanksgiving / Class Warfare FIDE Championship! Compete in FIDE- & USCF-rated sections open to all ages and levels, and seize the chance to earn exciting prize money. Whether you're competing for major titles or enjoying fun match-ups, you'll find great competition and a festive atmosphere this holiday weekend.
Tournament Address: Sonesta Silicon Valley Event Center, 1800 Barber Ln., Milpitas, CA 95035
Schedule
Two schedules available. (More info)
3-day option:
Time Control: 7SS G/90 +30
Round Times:
Fri, Nov. 28 - 1:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 29 - 9:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
Sun, Nov. 30 - 9:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m.
2-day option:
Time Controls:
Rounds 1-4: G/55 d5
Rounds 5-7: G/90 +30
Round Times:
Sat, Nov. 29 - 9:00 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 1:40 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
Sun, Nov. 30 - 9:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m.
½-point byes are available for any round (Max byes: 3; byes must be requested at least 30 min before that round's start except last round byes; last round bye must be requested latest before Round 3).
0-point byes are available for any round (player must play at least half the rounds to be eligible for prizes).
Sections
Players will be placed into one of the following sections based on their November 2025 Published Supplement rating:
MXA (1800+)
BC (1400-1799)
DEu (u1400)
All sections are FIDE- and USCF-rated.
A player may pay to play up one higher section, double play up is NOT allowed.
Players must be within 200 points of the rating cutoff to play up, or within 300 points for the lowest section.
(Note: The rating used to determine if a player may play up is their November 2025 Published Supplement rating)
Prizes
Prize fund: $10,000 guaranteed (More info)
Regular entry winners: 100% of allocated prize
Economy entry winners: 50% of allocated prize
Unrated winners: Max $300 (except in the top section)
Ca$h prizes can be converted into BA€oins ($1 = 1 BA€oin, more info)
A player who withdraws during the tournament is not eligible for prize money.
Prizes will be paid out by check (mail), PayPal or Zelle.
Fees
Regular entry:
3-day option: $187
2-day option: $177
Re-entry fee: $75
Economy entry:
3-day option: $140
2-day option: $133
Re-entry fee: $75
Play up fee: +$40
Discount for BayAreaChess Membership subscribers (Basic/Premier, more info).
Late fees, starting:
Nov. 22: +$10
Nov. 24: +$20
Nov. 26: +$30
Onsite fee: +$45
BayAreaChess Membership discounts are NOT redeemable for late and onsite fees.
Withdrawals
Withdrawals are eligible for a partial refund, subject to the following deductions:
until Nov. 21, 4% processing fee.
on Nov. 22 to Nov. 23, $10 withdrawal fee + 4% processing fee.
on Nov. 24 to Nov. 25, $20 withdrawal fee + 4% processing fee.
on Nov. 26 to Nov. 27, $30 withdrawal fee + 4% processing fee.
from Nov. 28 onward, NO REFUND will be issued.
Only withdrawals made before or on Nov. 27 are eligible for refund.
Change Requests
After registration, changes can be requested at bayareachess.com/changeform and are subject to the following fees:
until Nov. 26, $7 change fee.
from Nov. 27 onward, $15 change fee.
The following requests are exempt from the change fee:
playing up to a higher section.
requesting byes.
Other requirements
USCF membership must be active.
You must log in or sign up before you can register.
Online registration closes at 12:00 a.m. the day of the tournament.
Onsite registration is subject to availability ($45 additional fee incurred).
Late fees applied starting November 22 or when reaching capacity.