Byes: One half-point bye per player per section. Requesting a bye will result in a bye for both sections unless otherwise requested!!! Last-round byes must be requested prior to the start of the first round to receive a half-point, and may not be withdrawn. Byes for all other rounds must be requested prior to that round being paired. Note: Due to each section having a different number of rounds, players requesting a 6th-round bye will receive last-round byes in both sections, but players requesting a 5th-round bye will receive 5th-round byes in both sections.
USCF ratings used for pairings and for prizes. Section ratings used for pairings. FIDE Swiss pairing rules and FIDE speed chess floor decisions (FIDE Laws of Chess articles A.1, A.2, A.3, A.5, and B.3). Notation will not be required for either section. Spectators are allowed in the playing hall, but must be silent. Players may spectate after their game is over. Boards and clocks will not be provided, players are expected to bring their own.
In the case of a tie for a title trophy, an armageddon match will be held. In the case of an armageddon match, black will play with draw odds and less time than white. Both players will submit a written bid for time as black, and the player who bids a lower time will get black. White will receive 10 minutes, and both players will have a 2 second increment from move one. Armageddon games will not be rated.