ACE Presents: Master Trek Grand Prix Cup
View the most Up-To-Date Grand Prix Cup Standings here.
- The January to June U.S.C.F. Rating Supplements will be used when evaluating rating point increases for Grand Prix Cup Spring Season, and August to December Supplements used for Fall Season.
- Each player is eligible for the prizes listed for their particluar rating class and section as of the January 2008 U.S.C.F. Rating Supplement. The August Supplement will be used for the Fall Season
- Must compete in at least 4 of 7 Master Treks during each season to be eligible for all Grand Prix Cup Awards.
- Only K-12 Scholastic players are eligible.
- Master Trek Entry Fees must be paid in full in order to be eligible for all Grand Prix Cup Prizes.
- Only players competing in Master Trek sections (700-999, 1000-1299, 1300-1599, 1600-1899 and 1900 & Up) are eligible for Grand Prix Cup standings and prizes.
- Rating point bonuses start at 700, to avoid inflation. (Example: Increase of 527 to 827 would fall into the 125 Point Bonus Category.) For more questions and explanations please contact info@americanchess.net.
- Due to the importance of finding a "clear winner" when rewarding Grand Prix Points, starting with the January 19th Master Trek, ACE will implement an “Armageddon” Blitz game to decide who receives first place. Rather than letting Tie-Breaks decide, an Armageddon Blitz game is as follows: White receives 6 minutes, while black receives only 5 minutes, but black gets draw odds (meaning a draw equals a victory for black). All games are therefore decisive, and an obvious winner is quickly presented. The U.S.C.F. recommended Tie-Breaks will still determine all other final places.
- In the event of a tie between an eligible Grand Prix Cup participant and a non-eligible player, the first place bonus points will automatically be awarded to the eligible participant, regardless of final standing by tie-breaks.
- When determining final Grand Prix Cup Standings at the end of every season, the following tie-break system will be used:
1) Number of 1st Place finishes
2) Total Top 5 finishes
3) Total rating points gained
Grand Prix Bonuses:
RATING INCREASES:
- 25 pts: 1 GPP
- 50 pts: 2 GPP
- 75 pts: 4 GPP
- 100 pts: 6 GPP
- 125 pts: 8 GPP
- 150 pts: 10 GPP
- 175 pts: 12 GPP
- 200 pts: 14 GPP
- 225 pts: 16 GPP
- 250 pts: 18 GPP
- 275 pts: 20 GPP
- 300 pts: 22 GPP
- 325 pts: 24 GPP
- 350 pts: 26 GPP
- 375 pts: 28 GPP
- 400+ pts: 30 GPP
TOURNAMENT PERFORMACE:
- 1st Place (in each section): 5 GPP.
- 2nd-5th Place (in each section): 3 GPP.
- Three 1st Place Finishes in single Season (in any section): 4 GPP.
- Five or more 2nd-5th Place Finishes (in any section): 4 GPP.
PRIZES:
- Plaques will be awarded to Top 3 players from each section.
- Each Top 3 finisher will receive a free 6-month subscription to “WILD ACE'S ” and/or ChessCoaching.com or a $50 gift certificate redeemable towards future ACE tournaments or products: American Chess Events’ online magazine with Chess Lectures on every topic, Articles and Insights from Arizona’s leading Chess Instructors, Advice and Practical tips for top tournament play, and much more!
- 1st Place in each section will also receive Master Trek Grand Prix Cup All-Star Jackets.
- 1st Place (the best overall performance from any section) will receive an MVP Badge on his or her All-Star Jacket, his or her name engraved on the Grand Prix Cup, and a featured article on AmericanChess.net.
- Award Ceremony will take place at the first Master Trek of the Fall Grand Prix Cup Season (August 23rd).
NOTE:
ACE urges all players to compete in their particular rating group’s section. Although players will not necessarily be prevented from playing “up”, no bonus or sympathy points are rewarded to players playing “out of their section”.
As with any good system, we will be evolving as we learn from our mistakes. Minor adjustments may be made from season to season, and we have already made many changes during the invention process. We will continue to make improvements where needed in order to reach our goal of encouraging and then rewarding chess at the highest level.
By registering and participating in the Master Trek Grand Prix Cup tournaments, you are agreeing to comply to each particular seasons’ pre-posted Guidelines, Bonus Point Systems, and Rules stated above.