7th Donaldson Tournament (6–7 Dec 2025, San Francisco, USA)
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The 7th Donaldson Tournament is a weekend FIDE & US Chess rated Swiss held at the historic Mechanics’ Institute Chess Club in San Francisco. With strong tradition, a vibrant player pool, and a central downtown location, this event offers excellent competition in a professional setting.
📌 Event Details
| 📅 Dates | 6–7 December 2025 (Sat–Sun) |
| 📍 Location | San Francisco, California, USA |
| 🏟️ Venue | Mechanics’ Institute Chess Club, 57 Post Street, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104 |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | FIDE & US Chess rated |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | 5 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1 |
🧩 Sections / Groups
- Open participation (USCF membership current through event end). Organizer may post rating-based subsections (e.g., U1600) depending on entries.
⏱️ Time Control & Tournament System
- System: Weekend Swiss across two days.
- Control: 90′ + 30″ from move 1.
- Pairings: Standard Swiss; FIDE Laws of Chess apply; US Chess rules for USCF rating.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Round(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Dec 6 | Morning & Afternoon | Rounds 1–2 |
| Sun, Dec 7 | Morning & Afternoon | Rounds 3–5 → Awards |
🧾 Registration & Fees
- USCF membership required (valid through 7 Dec 2025).
- Capacity ~80 players at the venue; advance entry recommended.
- Byes: per organizer policy; request before Rd 2 pairing.
🏢 Organizer
Mechanics’ Institute Chess Club — a historic chess venue in downtown San Francisco with an active tournament calendar, lectures, and classes.
🏟️ Venue
Mechanics’ Institute Chess Club, 57 Post Street, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104.
🛏️ Accommodation
- Numerous hotels in downtown San Francisco; early booking advised.
🚗 How to Get There
- By Air: SFO (primary), OAK and SJC alternatives.
- Transit: BART/Muni to downtown; short walk to Post Street.
- By Car: Nearby garages; plan for downtown parking rates.
🧾 Additional Information
- FIDE event code listed for the U1600 section; master list posted on pairing site.
- Round start times may be updated in the pre‑event bulletin.
Step into the holiday season with serious chess and a vibrant community at one of America’s most storied clubs.