The Millionaire Chess Open (MC3) is unlike any other chess tournament, offering a thrilling format designed to keep both players and fans on the edge of their seats. The tournament consists of a qualifying stage followed by exciting knock-out rounds to determine the champions. Here’s a breakdown of the MC3 schedule and what to expect from the tournament.
The Format
The first seven rounds of the tournament in all sections serve as a qualifying stage, determining which players will advance to the prestigious Millionaire Monday. In each section, the top four players will move on to play in two knockout rounds, where they will compete for the ultimate prize. The final two rounds of the Open section will also be played on Millionaire Monday to decide the players finishing in 5th place and below, and to provide a chance for players to achieve norms.
For those in the other sections, the tournament will officially end by Sunday night, October 9, for players who did not make it to Millionaire Monday. This ensures that the competition remains intense and exciting throughout the weekend.
Round Times for the Open Section
All rounds in the Open section will follow the same time control: 40 moves in 120 minutes (2 hours), followed by a 30-minute game (G/30) with a 5-second delay on each move. Here’s the detailed schedule:
- Round 1: Thursday, October 6 @ 12:00 p.m.
- Round 2: Thursday, October 6 @ 7:00 p.m.
- Round 3: Friday, October 7 @ 11:00 a.m.
- Round 4: Friday, October 7 @ 6:00 p.m.
- Round 5: Saturday, October 8 @ 11:00 a.m.
- Round 6: Saturday, October 8 @ 6:00 p.m.
- Round 7: Sunday, October 9 @ 11:00 a.m.
Tie-break Playoffs (if necessary)
- Sunday, October 9 @ 6:00 p.m. – The tie-break playoffs will determine the top four players from all sections for the Semi-Finals & Finals.
- The full schedule for the playoffs will be posted an hour before the round begins, based on the number of players competing for the final spots.
Tie-break Play-off Format for Determining the Final 4
- Round 8: Monday, October 10 @ 11:00 a.m.
- Round 9: Monday, October 10 @ 6:00 p.m.
Round Times for Under 2200, U2000, U1800, U1600 Sections
Players in these sections will follow the same time control as the Open section: 40/120 and G/30 with a 5-second delay. Here’s the schedule for these divisions:
- Round 1: Thursday, October 6 @ 12:00 p.m.
- Round 2: Thursday, October 6 @ 7:00 p.m.
- Round 3: Friday, October 7 @ 11:00 a.m.
- Round 4: Friday, October 7 @ 6:00 p.m.
- Round 5: Saturday, October 8 @ 11:00 a.m.
- Round 6: Saturday, October 8 @ 6:00 p.m.
- Round 7: Sunday, October 9 @ 11:00 a.m.
Tie-break Playoffs: Sunday, October 9 @ 6:00 p.m. – The playoffs will determine the top four players for the Semi-Finals & Finals on Millionaire Monday.
The schedule for tie-break playoffs will be finalized based on the number of players competing for the final four spots, and the details will be announced one hour before the round.
Official End of Tournament for Non-Qualifiers
After the tie-breaks and determination of the final four players on Sunday, the tournament officially ends for participants in the Under 2200, U2000, U1800, and U1600 sections who did not qualify for Millionaire Monday.
Tie-Break Rule for Tied Players
What happens if more than four players are tied after the first seven rounds? To ensure fairness and avoid the disappointment of a random tie-break rule, the Millionaire Chess organizers believe in solving such situations over the board. This means players will have the chance to compete directly for their spot, ensuring that the best players advance to the final stages based on skill and performance, not chance.
With its unique structure and exciting format, the MC3 tournament promises to offer intense, high-quality competition. Players will battle through qualifying rounds, tie-breaks, and knockout stages to secure their place in the Millionaire Monday finals, all while vying for a chance to win life-changing prizes and prestige. The tournament’s schedule ensures that every moment of the event will be packed with drama and excitement, making it one of the most anticipated chess events of the year.