The 22nd Annual Chess in the Park Rapid Open will be held on Saturday, September 16th, 2023, at Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain.
NYC Parks will host hundreds of chess players of all ages and skill levels for free at the largest outdoor chess tournament in the United States, the 22nd Annual Chess-in-the-Parks Rapid Open. Grand Masters will kick off the event with an exhibition speed chess match and will challenge players throughout the day. At 11 a.m., NYC Parks First Deputy Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, Council Member Gale Brewer, Council Member Shekar Krishnan, and Council Member Shaun Abreu will deliver brief remarks.
Competition sections (subject to change) will include:
Youth Unrated: Open to unrated players under age 12
Adult/Teen Unrated: Open to unrated players ages 13 and up
Novice: Open to players rated under 900
Reserve: Open to players rated 900-1299
Intermediate: Open to players rated 1300 to 1699
Open Championship: Open to players rated 1700 and above
The Tournament Schedule:
Check-in: 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks: 10:45 a.m.
Rounds: 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
Awards Ceremony: 4:30 p.m.
The Event will be using the Swiss sys site during the event for pairings and standings.
Registration is now closed, since they had over 1,100 registrations!
A partnership between NYC Parks and Chess in the Schools, Chess-in-the-Park Rapid Open gives New Yorkers the free chance to outwit one another. The tournament features 6 rounds of G/10 rapid chess across six sections: Open Championship, Intermediate, Reserve, Novice, Adult/Teen Unrated and Youth Unrated. Chess sets, trophies, medals, and other prizes will be awarded following the last round.
2023 Chess in the Park Rapid Open, Saturday, September 16th at Bethesda Fountain Central Park, enter at 72nd Street. This is a Free Event. From 8:30am to 4:45pm with opening remarks at 11am and awards ceremony at 4:30pm.
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