Fischer Random Rumble (rated!)

Indy Chess is hosting its first quarterly rated Fischer Random Rumble (w/ optional Bughouse Brawl after), with cash prizes!

The Fischer Random Rumble is a chess tournament in the Chess960 variant (also called Fischer Random Chess or Freestyle Chess) developed by GM Bobby Fischer himself.  The pieces in the back row for both white and black will be randomized at the beginning of the game, erasing any opening preparation and letting the true masters of the positional and tactical knowledge show their talents!

This quarterly event will now be club rated by Indy Chess, meaning there will be an online club spreadsheet to track ratings apart of USCF, because USCF does not rate Chess960 games.  (More details on ratings below)

Chess960 Tournament Details:

• Pre-registration and pre-payment online required (no walk-ins). View pre-registered players here.
• Check-in is 1:30-1:45pm; Player meeting at 2:00pm.
• Three round Swiss-style tournament with a G/45;d5 time control; notation is required.
• Round times: 2:00pm, 4:00pm, and 6:30pm; each round allows 5 minutes to study starting position. 
• Game 1 starts at 2:00pm and rounds two and three start as soon as possible following prior round.  Event should end about 8:00pm.
• The piece set up (there are 960 possible variations) will be randomly generated by a computer before each round, and will change each round.  If the traditional chess position is selected (1 in 960 chance), a new position will be generated.
• Three sections (the following is tentative, and may be changed based on turnout): 1800 provisional, 1400 provisional, and 1000 provisional (players will join section closest to their USCF regular rating on August 1, 2024), with eight players in each section.  Limit 24 players.  TD reserves right to use other information sources for section placement if no USCF regular rating is available.  TD reserves the right to change sections and provisional ratings based on turnout.
• Cash prizes of $75 for 1st place in each section; Medals for 1st-3rd place.
• No bye requests allowed.
• USCF rules will apply to all tournament games, except the variations allowed for Chess960 regarding piece set up and castling.
• Learn more about Chess960 rules here: https://chess960.net/how-to-play/.

Optional Bughouse Brawl Tournament Details:

• Games start immediately following Chess960 event, approximately 8:15pm.
• Four-round Swiss-style Open tournament (one section) with a G/10 time control.
• Rounds start immediately following prior round.  Event should end by 10:00pm.
• Players choose their own partners. Indy Chess can help find partners if requested.
• Cash prize is $100 for first place team ($50/person).
• USCF rules will apply when not preceded/changed by a Bughouse rule below.
• See complete Bughouse rules here.

Fischer Random Rumble entry fee is $25 members/$30 non-members of Indy Chess.

Bughouse Brawl entry fee (optional) is $10 members/$15 non-members additional.

Join Indy Chess as a member here to save on entry fee: www.indychess.org/membership.

*This is different than USCF membership.  Indy Chess members get $5 discounts (at least) to all Indy Chess events!

Questions? Email Mike at info@indychess.org.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Tentative rating details for Indy Chess Chess960:

-All players will be given a provisional rating of 1000, 1400, or 1800 (closest to the USCF regular rating on Aug. 1).

-The traditional Elo equation will be used for ratings calculations (with a 10-times likelihood of beating an opponent 400 points below you), with a set K factor of 40 for this first year's events regardless of age, rating, or number of games played.

-No bonus multiplier will be used as USCF does for traditional chess ratings.

-Matches may be requested to be held at any Indy Chess Tuesday Weekly, and opponents can be found upon request.