Tampa Bay Florida Area

******** Chess tournament announcement ********

Grassroots Chess Quads Tournament #1
Sunday June 27, 2021
2:30-5:30pm
Grassroots Kava House
1925 E 6th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605

Entry Fee: $10, cash only, on-site (no pre-registration).

Unrated — players do NOT need membership to any chess organizations. Anyone who knows the basic chess rules may register.

Quads format (4-player round-robins). Players are grouped into 4-person sections by similar rating (or approximate strength if not rated). Each player then plays one game against each of the other 3 players in their section (one game per each of 3 rounds). In each quad, 1st place wins $25, and 2nd place wins $15 (100%of entry fees are returned as prizes).

Time control: G/15 + 10sec (each player starts off with 15 minute, and gains 10 seconds on each move). Players must use clocks. If needed, a free chess clock app can be downloaded for tournament use.

Touch-move rule applies, as well as other common chess rules used by the United States Chess Federation (USCF). The tournament director (TD) will explain the rules at the start of the tournament.

*** We will try to start on time, so please please arrive by 2:15 to allow time for registration and pairings. ***

• Please bring a chess set and clock if possible, but it's okay if a few people don't bring equipment since we have some extra sets.

Contact person: Iron-Toad (Leo C)

Hi - new to Tampa, and sick of losing to my 13 year old son - looking weekly in person chess lesson (very sick of zoom - ha!)

Appreciate any recommendations - thanks - Erik

Hi, I know a local chess instructor in Tampa.  He is part of our club that meets Sundays at Grassroots.  Send me a private message, and I'll put you in touch with him.

Photos from our first Quads chess tournament:

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Thanks for organizing it all Leo!

I enjoyed it, let's do some more tournaments.  Once or twice a month.  We could do USCF-rated games if there is enough interest.  Also, let's try a Swiss format next time, which will be more flexible in accommodating a non-multiple-of-four number of players.

We’re about to start our July 4 chess meeting at Grassroots.  Happy Independence Day!  🎇

July 4

Grassroots Kava House, 1925 E. 6th Ave, Tampa FL 33605 (Ybor, Old Tampa)

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Chess Cat personally welcomes all who enter.

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A railroad runs by it ...

Chess Tournament in Ybor July 10 @ 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, Our second Chess Tournament is here! Come out to Grassroots in Ybor on July 10th from 11-4pm for a Swiss style tourney with time control of G/10+5incr., Enjoy 10% off all drinks purchased throughout the event – we will have light snacks to share. There’s a $5 entry fee with 1st and 2nd place cash prizes + Grassroots $15 gift cards!, Grassroots Kava House 1925 E 6th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605

Tournament is Saturday, vs Sunday, is that right?

Yes, the tournament is on Saturday.  And our usual Sunday casual chess meeting will still take place too.

It's Sunday July 18, and we are meeting as usual for casual chess today at Grassroots.

Is there a meeting tomorrow? Just moved to the area from NYC and looking for some OTB action. Looks like you have done an awesome job organizing this!

Hello Tomer, and welcome to Florida and the Tampa Bay Area!  On any given Sunday afternoon, yes, there is a good possibility of finding chess players at Grassroots.  No RSVP needed or expected, so we don't know in advance exactly which of the regulars are attending.  And new people will walk in too.  There have been about 4-6 players (more if there's tournament) every Sunday for the last couple of months.  Check it out -- we'd be glad to meet you.

Iron -Toad is a cool name.

^ Thank you friend.  I like your avatar.  And I promise not to try anything shady if we play.

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Also, to everybody: I wrote yesterday that Grassroots was closing on Sundays.  Not true -- there was a misunderstanding.  They closed down for just one Sunday, but will be open as usual for Sundays in general.

So we will be able to continue meeting for chess at Grassroots Kava House on Sundays as usual.

What time are you all usually there?

Earliest players arrive around 2:00pm, some a little later around 2:30 or 3:00.  Chess activity starts thinning out around 5:30, but players can stay later if they like.

We will have a Chess Tournament at Grassroots Kava House in Ybor this Sunday August 1, 2:30-5:30pm.  Please arrive by 2:15pm to register on-site.  Entry fee $10.  Unrated.  Swiss format, 4 rounds, G/15+10sec incr.  Touch-move and other USCF rules apply.  All entry fees will be returned as Prizes to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places (approx 50%, 30%, 20%).  I would appreciate hearing in advance who might play (even if unsure), but an RSVP is not required.

Chess Tournament today (Aug 1 2021) at Grassroots!  I phoned them to make sure that they have normal business hours today.  See you there!