2011 NCCA Grand Prix
Official Procedures, Rules, and Regulations
The North Carolina Grand Prix (NCGP) is an annual competition similar to the USCF Grand Prix. Points are awarded by playing in and winning games at participating tournaments.
The 2010-2011 NCGP begins on September 6, 2010 and continues through the 2011 NC Open,
currently scheduled for Labor Day weekend. Participation in the NCGP is open to any
North Carolina resident who is a current, paid NCCA member.
To qualify as a NC resident, one must reside in North Carolina for at least six months of the year.
Military and college students who meet this requirement will be considered eligible.
College students who are North Carolina residents but are attending college out-of-state
are also eligible. Participants who relocate will not forfeit previously earned points if
this six month requirement is met.
Earning NCGP points: All points in the official NCGP standings are earned by playing in
tournaments designated as NCGP tournaments (see "Tournaments" tab at this website).
Your point total for a tournament is derived from the point total earned in the
official USCF cross table for the tournament. The NCGP points earned are calculated by
multiplying the cross table score with a multiplier factor based on the number of
rounds in the tournament. Full point and half point byes count just the same as if the game
were actually played. Extra games do not count because the players already received points
in the regular crosstable for that round. When a player re-enters, s/he forfeits any points
for the first round and only the re-entry score is used.
The following table will be used to calculate point totals:
- 3 round tournament - multiplier is x20
- 4 round tournament - multiplier is x15
- 5 round tournament - multiplier is x12
- 6 round tournament - multiplier is x10
- 7 round tournament - multiplier is x8.6
- 8 round tournament - multiplier is x7.5
- 9 round tournament - multiplier is x6.7
- 10 round tournament - multiplier is x6
Four tournaments are designated as "Majors" on the North Carolina circuit:
- (1) Land of the Sky;
- (2) the North Carolina Class;
- (3) the North Carolina Open;
- (4) the LPO.
These tournaments because of their historic stature and importance will earn double points
in the NCGP. Scores calculated for these tournaments using the table above will be
multiplied by 2 for NCGP purposes. The maximum number of points that can be earned in
a single tournament is 60 (120 in the four Majors). Scores that calculate to fractional
amounts will be rounded down to the nearest quarter of a point.
Extra games will not earn NCGP points.
For games played, full point byes will count as a game played since the player was given
the bye without a choice. Half point byes do not count as the player elected to pass
on playing the game.
The funding of cash prizes in the NCGP comes from a fee paid by the tournament
organizers and the NCCA. The tournament organizers and the NCCA will contribute
$0.50 apiece for each player listed on the cross table. Players who re-enter or who
are otherwise listed twice will only be counted once for funding purposes.
Participating tourneys:
Tournaments wishing to attain Grand Prix status must meet all the following criteria:
- 1) The tournament must be held in the state of North Carolina.
- 2) The tournament must be open to all NCCA and USCF members.
- 3) The tournament must be USCF rated and follow all rules and guidelines customary for USCF events.
- 4) The organizer must contribute $0.50 to the prize fund for each player listed on the cross table. The money is due and payable to the NCCA within seven days after the tournament. Funds should be sent to the NCCA Secretary/Treasurer at the address listed on the NCCA website.
- 5) Participating tournaments must require NCCA membership for all North Carolina residents. The tournament director is responsible for collecting NCCA dues from any participant who's membership has lapsed or who needs to join.
- 6) The tournament must be held on a weekend; weekday tournaments are not eligible. Weekend tournaments that offer a Friday option for early rounds will be eligible if those rounds are also available to be played on Saturday.
- 7) Tournaments must be a minimum of 3 rounds and must have a time control of at least 30 minutes on the clock for each player.
- 8) Tournaments must be advertised for a minimum of 14 days prior to the tournament on the "Tournaments" page of http://www.ncchess.org
- 9) The NCCA will be solely responsible for designating Grand Prix status for any tournament.
Prize Fund
The prize fund consists of the money and gift certificates contributed by the tournament
organizers, the NCCA, and sponsors. The total prize fund cannot be determined until after
the conclusion of the final NCGP tournament (the NCO). The prize fund will be distributed
as follows:
- 1st place: 40% of the cash fund and a $200 gift certificate from ChessCentral.com
- 2nd place: 30% of the cash fund and a $150 gift certificate from ChessCentral.com
- 3rd place: 20% of the cash fund and a $100 gift certificate from ChessCentral.com
- 4th place: 10% of the cash fund and a $50 gift certificate from ChessCentral.com
- Most active player: A wood 'Duke' style chess set from ChessCentral.com (A $129 value)
Prize Fund Rules
- A) The 'Most active player' is determined by the number of games played, regardless of result, in participating NCGP tournaments. Full point byes are counted as games played by half-point elective byes are not counted.
- B) The winner of the 'Most active player' award is also eligible to win one of the place awards.
- C) The NCCA President will be responsible for certifying the final standings. The point total will be maintained by either the President or his designee.
- D) Prizes will be awarded within 30 days of the end of the tournament season.
- E) Point totals will be updated after the USCF ratings are posted. Points are provisional until the cash payment is received from the tournament director.
- F) The NCCA reserves the right to make minor alternations to the procedures, rules, and regulations or to add rules and regulations to address situations not covered by the initially published rules and regulations. The NCCA reserves the right to settle any dispute arising as a result of this series and its decision will be final.