27th Annual Sacramento Chess Championship
Join us from Friday, July 4, 2025 through Sunday, July 6, 2025 at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Sacramento, California, USA for three days of intense, USCFβrated classical Swiss action. Players of all levelsβfrom seasoned Masters and Experts to rising Underβ1500 Challengers and spirited Seniorsβwill vie for trophies and cash prizes in this Grandβ―Prixβaccredited heritage event.
As Sacramentoβs premier summer chess gathering, the championship blends competitive spirit with community camaraderie at the host venue, offering onβsite amenities, wheelchair access, and a special hotel rate. Whether you chase the top boards or cheer from the sidelines under the California sun, youβll experience seamless tournament logistics and unforgettable strategic thrills.
βοΈ EVENT DETAILS
| Label | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | July 4 β 6, 2025 |
| Tournament Type | Classical (sixβround Swiss across rating/age sections) |
| Total Prize Fund | Approximately β¬11,500 (USβ―$12,500) |
| Location | Sacramento, California, USA |
| Venue | Holiday Inn Expressβ―&β―Suites |
| Address | 2224 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento, CAβ―95821 |
| Organizer | Sacramento Chess Club |
| Federation | United States Chess Federationβ―(USβ―Chess) |
| Tournament Director | Johnβ―McCumiskey |
| Time Control | G/90β―+β―30β―sec increment (3βday); G/61β―d5 for Roundsβ―1β3 then G/90β―+β―30β―sec (2βday) |
| Number of Rounds | 6 |
βοΈ TIME CONTROL
Competitors choose between a threeβday format (Game 90 minutes with 30βsecond increment) or a twoβday hybrid (Roundsβ―1β3 at Gameβ―61 with 5βsecond delay, then Roundsβ―4β6 at Gameβ―90β―+β―30β―sec). Both options balance deep play with efficient completion.
βοΈ TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
ThreeβDay Schedule
| Day | Registration | Roundβ―1 | Roundβ―2 | Roundβ―3 | Roundβ―4 | Roundβ―5 | Roundβ―6 |
| Julyβ―4 | 8:30β9:45β―am | 10:00β―am | 3:00β―pm | β | β | β | β |
| Julyβ―5 | 8:00β8:45β―am | 10:30β―am | 4:00β―pm | β | β | β | β |
| Julyβ―6 | β | 10:00β―am | 3:00β―pm | β | β | β | β |
TwoβDay Accelerated Schedule
| Day | Registration | Roundβ―1 | Roundβ―2 | Roundβ―3 | Roundβ―4 | Roundβ―5 | Roundβ―6 |
| Julyβ―5 | 8:00β8:45β―am | 9:00β―am | 11:15β―am | 1:30β―pm | β | β | β |
| Julyβ―6 | β | β | β | β | 4:00β―pm | 10:00β―am | 3:00β―pm |
βοΈ PRIZE FUND
Overall Section Prizes
| Section | 1st Prize | 2nd Prize | 3rd Prize |
| Master/Expert | USβ―$1,000β―+β―trophy | $700 | $500 |
| Reserve | $850β―+β―trophy | $600 | $400 |
| Challengers | $850β―+β―trophy | $600 | $400 |
| Seniorβ―(50+) | $850β―+β―trophy | $600 | β |
| Seniorβ―Reserve | $850β―+β―trophy | $600 | β |
SectionβSpecific Prizes
- Underβ―2200: 1stβ―β¬375β―/β―2ndβ―β¬275β―/β―3rdβ―β¬200
- Underβ―2000: 1stβ―β¬375β―/β―2ndβ―β¬275
- Underβ―1750: 1stβ―β¬375β―/β―2ndβ―β¬275
- Underβ―1400: 1stβ―β¬375β―/β―2ndβ―β¬275
- Underβ―1250: 1stβ―β¬375β―/β―2ndβ―β¬275
- Underβ―1000: β¬200 top prize
- Top age categories (65+, 70+, 75+): commemorative trophies
Unrated players are ineligible for sectionβspecific prizes.
βοΈ REGISTRATION
- Entry Fees: $134 if postmarked by Juneβ―27,β―2025; $154 onβsite or late.
- Discounts: CalChess members save $5; titled IMs/GMs play free.
- Section Upβentry: +$40 (up to 200βpoint rating jump).
- Reentry (3βday only): $75 after Roundβ―2.
- Byes: Up to two halfβpoint byes; request before prior round starts.
- USCF Membership: Required for all participants.
βοΈ TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION
Book at Holiday Inn Expressβ―&β―Suites (2224 Auburn Blvd) for the tournament rate of $154/night (single/double) through Juneβ―27. Call 1β888β465β4329 or 1β916β923β1100 (group code βSCCβ).
Sacramento International Airport lies 15 minutes south; shuttle services connect to Auburn Boulevard hourly. Bus Routeβ―84 stops adjacent to the hotel. Downtown hotels, Airbnbs, dining, and entertainment lie just a short drive away.
βοΈ ORGANIZER
The Sacramento Chess Club has fostered Northern Californiaβs chess scene since 1993, hosting weekly Swiss tournaments, rapid events, team championships, scholastic leagues, and the annual state championship.
- Email: sactochess@sbcglobal.net
- Phone: 916β524β9479
- Address: P.O. Boxβ―12345, Sacramento, CAβ―95814
βοΈ WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE
Join Sacramentoβs chess tradition at this celebrated summer highlight. Enjoy robust prize funds, flexible schedules, and a welcoming community. Youβll sharpen your skills, earn Grandβ―Prix points, and forge lasting friendships. Whether you compete for the top boards or soak in the vibrant atmosphere, the 27th Annual Sacramento Chess Championship will deliver unforgettable strategic excitement.
