Play 7 rounds at pre-inflation 2021 Prices!
This tournament is made possible by gift from the Azhar Family Office

2023 Best of the West (CM Azhar Memorial)
on May 26 to 29 for all levels (and ages) with free parking!
Play and Stay at Sonesta San Jose on 777 Bellew Dr, (North) Milpitas

Non-scholastic: CM Azhar Memorial Champ (Fr/Sa/Su to Mon, 2/3/4-day, G/90 +30) | CalChess Blitz State Champ (Mon)
and
Scholastic: CM Azhar Memorial Champ (Sat) | CalChess Blitz State Champ (Sat)
Signature Quads (Sun) & Swiss (Mon) | Chess4Less Quads (Mon)
Register Now
to Join Request Change
or Correction Book Sonesta San Jose at
pre-inflation rates (99)
  • Welcome to the Chessiest Place on Earth!

      • CM Azhar Memorial

        Fri/Sat/Sun to Mon (2/3/4-day schedules) | G/90 +30

    • CalChess Blitz Championship
      State Championship Event

      Mon 6-8:30 pm | G/3 +2

      • CM Azhar Memorial Championship
        Scholastic Prizes

        Sat 9-4p | G/25 d5 | Sections: under 400 | 400-799 | 800-1199
        1. Trophies to all individuals with a winning record
        2. Trophies to all clubs with two or more players in all sections combined*
        3. Trophies to all schools with two or more players in all sections combined*
        4. Medals to all players who do not get a trophy
        * Top 4 players’ scores count to their club and school total

      • CalChess Blitz Championship
        Scholastic Prizes

        Sat 4-6p | G/3 +2
        1. Trophies to all individuals with a winning record
        2. Medals to all players who do not get a trophy

      • Signature Quads

        Sunday 9-11:30a | G/25 d5 | Sections: groups of 4 players based on rating
        6 BA€oins/point (min 3 BA€oins/tourney)

      • Chess4Less Quads

        Monday 12-2:30p | G/25 d5 | Sections: groups of 4 players based on rating
        ½ price | No prizes

    • Signature Swiss

      Monday 2:30-6p | G/25 d5 | Sections: u500 | 500-799 | 800-1199
      6 BA€oins/point (min 3 BA€oins/tourney)
Register Now
to Join Request Change
or Correction Book Sonesta San Jose at
pre-inflation rates (99)
Entries
  • Live Entries: All
  • Processed Entries: All

Schedule Click here to expand/contract
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      • Non-scholastic Schedule




        1. The Blitz tournament is a CalChess State Championship Event.
          1. All rounds are G/3 +2
          2. ½-point Byes are available for any round with the following rules:
            1. Maximum of two ½-point byes
            2. All changes to byes after Round 1 starts will result in the player donating any earned prize money to BAC
        2. CM Azhar Memorial Championship
          1. ½-point Byes are available for any round with the following rules:
            1. Maximum of three ½-point byes
            2. All byes must be requested at least 1 hour before that round's scheduled start
            3. After Round 3 starts, any changes to byes in the last two rounds will result in the player donating any earned prize money to BAC
          2. Time Controls: All rounds are G/90 +30 except
            1. 1400-1699, 1700-1999, and 2000+ 2-day Rounds 1-5 are G/60 d5
            2. u1400 2-day All Rounds are G/70 d5

      • Scholastic (K-12) Schedule




        1. The Scholastic Blitz tournament is a CalChess State Championship Event.
          1. Time Controls: All rounds are G/3 +2
          2. ½-point Byes are available for any round with the following rules:
            1. Maximum of two half-point byes
        2. Scholastic CM Azhar Memorial Championship
          1. Maximum of two ½-point byes
          2. Time Controls: G/25 d5
        3. The following events extend your fun and improvement; all of them are G/25 d5
          1. Signature Quads (3 games)
          2. Signature Swiss (4 games | G/25 d5)
          3. Chess4Less (3 games at half-price)
      1. The Blitz tournament is a CalChess State Championship Event.
      2. Online Registration closes at 11:59p on the day before the first game.
      3. Onsite Registration closes at 20 minutes before the first game.

Fees & Discounts Click here to expand/contract
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Please register early to save your money and our time!

      • Entry Fees
        for Non-scholastic sections




        Econ entry offers a lower entry fee with 50% of the calculated prize, which suits players not motivated by prize money.

      • Entry Fees
        for Scholastic sections

      • Buy More and Save with All-Access and
        Day-Access Passes (limited quantity available)

        • Non-scholastic Access Passes

          1. All-Access Regular Pass ($16 savings) includes
            1. Regular Entry Fee (2, 3, or 4-Day)
            2. CalChess Non-scholastic Blitz
          2. All-Access Econ Pass ($16 savings) includes
            1. Econ Entry Fee (2, 3, or 4-Day)
            2. CalChess Non-scholastic Blitz

        • Scholastic Access Passes

          1. Saturday Access Pass ($12 savings) includes
            1. Scholastic Championship
            2. CalChess Scholastic Blitz
          2. SunMon Access Pass ($22 savings) includes
            1. Signature Quads
            2. Signature Swiss
            3. Chess4Less Quads
          3. Saturday + SunMon Access Pass ($43 savings) includes
            1. Scholastic Championship
            2. CalChess Scholastic Blitz
            3. Signature Quads
            4. Signature Swiss
            5. Chess4Less Quads
          4. Weekend All-Access Pass ($31 savings) includes
            1. Scholastic Championship
            2. CalChess Scholastic Blitz
            3. Econ Entry Fee (2-Day)
            4. CalChess Non-scholastic Blitz

    • Optional/Other Fees

      1. Play-up Fee: +38 for Non-scholastic Sections & +28 for Under Non-scholastic Sections (double play-up is not allowed; minimum rating = 1800 to play up in the 2000+ section)
      2. Registration Fees increase during the the last week of the tournament +0 before 5/20 | +10 5/20-22 | +20 5/23-25 | +30 after 5/26 | +40 onsite
      3. Cancel/Change Fee: Same as the late fee; No refunds after 5/25.
      4. Blitz Registration Fees: +0 until 5/28 | +7 onsite

Post-Registration Info Click here to expand/contract
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What to expect after registering

        • After Registering

          1. Check Processed Entries to confirm registration (available one week before the tournament).
          2. Use this form for changes/corrections.
          3. Add @bayareachess.com to safe senders to receive emails with orientation and other notifications.
          4. Reconfirm the email address and other information in your profile.
          5. Check this page the day before the tournament for orientation information.
          6. Contact us for any questions or suggestions.

      • Financial Transparency

        1. The entry fees for members are slightly lower based on a donation by the Azhar Family Office.
        2. The entry fees for non-members are slightly higher due to inflation and the extra costs.

        • What's New?

          1. The 2023 Memorial Day will offer 7 (not 6) rounds with 3 (not 2) schedules. There's a new 4 day schedule.
          2. The 4-day and 3-day schedules will merge in Round 2.
          3. The 2-day schedule’s first 5 rounds will be G60 d5 for 1400-1699, 1700-1999, and 2000+ sections. All schedules will merge in Round 6.
          4. The 2-day schedule for u1400 section will be 7 rounds G/70 d5 (and there is no 3-day options as players’ requested).

      • What's Expected?

        1. Come as you are! We welcome all players regardless of their rating and playing level.
        2. US Chess membership (USCF) is required; if you're not a current member, you must renew/signup with your tournament registration at BayAreaChess.com so we can process and reconcile your entry.
        3. We will use May 2023 Supplement to place players accurately.
        4. We may adjust round times if needed (but it is unlikely).
        5. Be nice to everyone!