The Park Avenue Community Center Chess Club will host its second rated chess tournament of 2024 on Saturday, May 18.

The tournament will feature four rounds of play in a Swiss-style format, with optional blitz tie-break games at the end of the day if needed.

This casual yet competitive event is open to players of all ages and abilities. For beginners, it offers a chance to experience the thrill of rated tournament play in a low-pressure setting. For more experienced players, it provides an opportunity to earn additional official rating points.

$10 entrance fee

Participants must be USCF members, you can join at the tournament day-of for $20

The schedule for the tournament on 5/18/2024

9:30am: Registration opens

10:00am: Pairings generated, opening ceremony

10am - 4pm: chess, there will be a lunch break (bring your own)

3:30 - 4:00 Closing/award ceremony

The tournament will be held at the Park Avenue Community Center, located at 129 Park Ave in Swarthmore. 

Players are asked to bring their own chess clock if possible, though the organizers will have a limited number of clocks available for those who need one. 

Tournament Director - Nicole Tietz-Sokolskaya, is a Swarthmore resident, software engineer, writer, and chess enthusiast. She volunteers with the PACC Chess Club to help run the weekly meetings and to organize chess tournaments. Outside of the club, she has a wife and two kids, works as a software engineer, writes a blog, and is the family chef.