Round 5 Pairings are posted -- Last Round here we go!

Dear Improvers,

Pairings for the LAST ROUND, Round 5, of the End-of-Year Improvers Marathon are posted now. 

Round 5 pairings are posted here!

Adjusted schedule:

• Round 5: Dec 9 PT - Dec 15 daytime PT (to give you guys the full weekend to finish your game!)
• Award Ceremony: UPDATED:
  TUESDAY, Dec 16, at 8:30 a.m. PT / 11:30 a.m. ET / 17:30 CET / 10 p.m. IST. Join us for a fun Online Live Party!

Note: If you got a forfeit loss in previous rounds but would like to play, please submit your request via the Google Form, and I'll pair up new players until Wednesday noon(ish) PT. We also welcome new players  

PS: I'll post another picture. You can't keep this girl away from OTB chess tournaments too long. After a busy Thanksgiving weekend, I went to my friend Coach Kiki's Academy (King's Land Chess) last Friday evening (Dec 5). I ran a 3-round tournament for 60 kids to warm them up and give them last-minute prep for their upcoming US National Grade Level Championship this coming weekend! Good luck guys!

Summary of the event:

Important links:

• Standings & Pairings are posted in this Google Sheet.
• Any requests must be submitted via this Google Form. No DMs or emails, please!

Event Format:

• 5 rounds, Swiss-system
• Time control: 60 minutes with a 10-second increment per each move

Rules on timeline:

1. Pairings are posted on Sunday evening (Pacific Time zone). You have 24 hours to contact your opponent to arrange a time to play. If your opponent does not respond within 24 hours, submit a report via the Google Form.

2. If no time is arranged within 48 hours of pairings being posted, please also submit via the Google Form.

3. Games must be played by Sunday, 12:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. ET / 21:00 CET / 1:30 a.m. (+1) IST.

4. If you are able to contact your opponent and play your game after you have reported a forfeit win/loss, please do play and I'll be able to update it!

Steps for a Successful Tournament:

1. Update your settings to allow DMs from any user.

2. Find your pairing:
Open the Google Sheet and use Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F) to search for your username.
(Many players were in the list but missed it. Please double-check before messaging!)

3. Send a friend request to your opponent, then DM them with your availability. Use chat for faster coordination.
Note: If you are unable to send a DM or add them as a friend, please post/check in this dedicated Forum.

4. Show up at your agreed time!  

5. Send a challenge:

• Go to www.chess.com/play/online
• Click Opponent, enter your opponent’s username in the Search box.
• Click on Custom Challenge
• Click on the down arrow next to the 3 mins (Blitz) to open up more time controls, and scroll down to More Time Controls and type in: 60 mins and 10-second increment.
• Choose your color, and make sure the game is rated.
• Click on Start Game or Share the challenge link with your opponent.

Here is a quick demo video on how to issue a challenge. 

Fair Play reminder: All games will be submitted to the Fair Play Team for screening. Do not use any outside assistance or engines, play honestly, and enjoy the challenge!

After the game:

• Submit the result of your game via the Google Form.
  • Those who submit the result will see their result posted on the Google Sheet sheet faster!
  • Those who don't submit, I will only check the games on Sunday.

Any questions, please submit them via the Google Form!

Thank you, and have fun playing in the 2025 End-of-Year Improvers Marathon!