2025 Chess Tournament on Third Street Promenade

Make your move! Join us for a Chess Tournament on Third Street Promenade Sunday, April 13th, 11AM-2PM!

Players of all levels and ages are welcome to come out and meet new players, test your skills, and compete for a grand prize!

Things to Know for the Tournament:

• All participants MUST register in advance through Eventbrite
• Entry fee is $10
• Chess sets will be provided, but you're also welcome to bring your own
• Players will be grouped by age, rating, and rating system. Please provide this information when registering.
• The Tournament will start promptly at 11:00 AM, we recommend getting there a few minutes early. Players who do not check in by 11:00 AM will be replaced with those on the waitlist.
• Registration will close Wednesday, April 11th at 10:00 PM

Rules of Play

• Check in starts at 10:30 AM. Players who have not checked in by 11:00 AM will be replaced by those on the waiting list.
• Basic USCF Rules apply.
• There are four sections, A through D, according to rating/age. There are 16 players each.
• Format is Single Elimination. A player may continue playing on tables reserved for casual play when a game is lost. The finalist in each section wins a medal and a prize.
• Note the board number of each game posted on the chart with your name.
• Time control is Game-in-15 minutes (no delay set, clocks are pre-set) for sections A through C. Place the clock on the A-file side of the board. Section D will not be timed.
• No talking during play or other distractions. There is no discussion of games in progress.
• Touch-Move Rule: a touched piece must move; the move is completed when the moved piece is released.In drawn games, the lower rate player advances or the Black piece player if an unrated player is involved. The opponent is eliminated.
• Inform your section tournament director of the results of each of your games.
• In a dispute, stop the clock and call the nearest tournament director.
• Players take the color they haven't played with yet or the opposite color from their previous game. If there's no clear decision, the colors will be assigned by one player selecting the other player's hand with either a black or white pawn hidden inside.

Cancellation Policy

If you paid the registration fee and can no longer attend on Sunday, we ask that you request a refund by 5:00 PM on April 4th through Eventbrite AND email [email protected]. Refunds will not be given after April 4th.

We have several people on a waitlist to enter the tournament, and want to make sure we can let them know ahead of time if they can compete!

Waitlist Procedure

If any tournament spots open up, we will notify the waitlist first come first serve via email. We encourage members of the waitlist to show up early and check in at the Check In table with competitors as we will start promptly at 11:00 AM, and will need to fill any empty slots. Waitlist players should have $10 in cash ready for the entry fee. Additionally, because the tournament is an elimination tournament, each round there will be a new group of players free for casual play and plenty of extra sets (including a few GIANT ones!)

Chess Sundays

This tournament kicks off Chess Sundays on Third Street Promenade from 11AM- 2 PM! Every Sunday through the summer, play a casual game with a friend or meet a new one. Chess sets (including a few giant ones) will be provided, but you're welcome to bring your own!

Location & Parking Info

To view a map of Downtown Santa Monica's public parking facilities, visit the Santa Monica Parking website or download the City of Santa Monica Parking App, Powered by ParkMe.

This event is a partnership between the Santa Monica Chess Club and Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. By registering for this event, you are providing explicit consent to receive future marketing, promotional materials, and event-related communications from Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

1200 3rd Street Promenade (Between Wilshire & Arizona), 1200 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, United States