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UMass Winter Classic

Tournament Details Revised: 12/14/2025 05:12 PM
General Information
Event Organizer: UMass Amherst CC  [ Visit organizer website ]
Event Location: Student Union Ballroom
41 Campus Center Way, Amherst Massachusetts 01002  [ Directions ]
Event Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026 -
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Time Control: G/90;d5
Rounds Time: 5-SS. Saturday: 10 am, 2:30 pm, 6 pm. Sunday: 10 am, 2:30 pm.
Byes:
Prize Info: $10,000 total prize fund. Open Section: $2000 - $1250 - $750, Top U2300: $600 Top U2100: $400. Based on 50 paid entries.
U1900 Section: $1500 - $1000 - $600, Top U1700: $400, Top U1500: $250.
U1400 section: $700 - $400 - $150. Unrated prize limit of $150 in U1400.
Prize fund based on 120 paid entries combined for U1900 and U1400.
Inquiry: umasschessclub@gmail.com   
Event Webpage: https://websites.umass.edu/chess-rso/
Registration Information
Entry Fee: Open Section: All GMs, IMs, WGMs: Free entry, $100 deducted from prize. FMs, WIMs, WFMs, NMs: $100 entry (reduced fee) by January 27th, $110 later online or at site. $130 entry fee, $140 on-site. If the published rating is under 1900 at the time of registration, then an additional $75 play-up fee applies. Unrated ineligible to enter. For the U1900 Section: $90 by January 27th, $100 later online or at site. For U1400 Section: $45 online by January 30th, 4:00 pm. $55 on-site. $10 less for unrated players.
Registration - Onsite: Onsite Registration closes at 9:00 am (1 hour before Rd. 1).
Membership Requirement: USCF membership required.
Sections Information
Tournament Sections: Premier/Open
U1900
U1400
Tournament Rules and Other Information
  • Please bring your own sets and chess clocks.
  • Beautiful college campus and plenty of dining halls (i.e. Worcester Dining, Franklin Dining). UMass Amherst earned 'Best Campus Food' Ranking for 9th consecutive year.
  • Vehicles may park in any available non-restricted, non-reserved space or lot for free (no parking permit required). These are the red lots in this map. The closest of these lots to the Student Union (event venue) are lots 64, 30, 63. The closest parking to the Student Union is the paid parking in the Campus Center garage ($1.85/hr).
  • Payment Disclaimer: In order to receive your winnings, you must register yourself as a vendor with the University of Massachusetts Amherst. We will provide the link to the vendor site once the winners are confirmed. Once filled out, the University of Massachusetts Amherst will pay your winnings, however, it may take longer than 3-4 weeks. This is the only way the University of Massachusetts Amherst Chess Club can pay your winnings.
  • MACA provides tournament listing for all as a service to the chess community. For question, comments, or dispute regarding events that are not organized by MACA, please contact the tournament organizer directly.
  • Remember that each player is responsible for bringing and setting up their clock. Please refer to the Metrowest Chess Club Digital Clock Guide for instructions on how to set digital clocks.
  • MACA does not recommend but allows US Chess approved electronic scorekeeping devices. Please note that some national tournaments held by US Chess ban electronic scorekeeping, so be sure to know how to keep score without aid of electronics.
  • If online registration is enabled on this event, you can Join/Renew your USCF and MACA membership at the online registration page. If online registration is not available, you can join MACA (The Massachusetts Chess Association) at our Online Membership Form and USCF (United States Chess Federation) at USCF Membership Page.