1. When will this start? The tournament starts once the maximum of 9 players is reached after the official start date. 🚫 Suspicious Play Warning 🚫To ensure fair play, all players will be scanned to verify their integrity, before the start of play. Suspicious players will be removed. This is not an indication of a fair play violation. This designed to keep even tournament.
2. How many rounds are there in the tournament? You will play 1 or 2 rounds:
After Round 1, one winner from each group advances to Round 2.
All players in Round 2 place and receive a trophy. 🏆
3. Will I have enough time?
You will play 4 or 8 total games.
Round 1 exit: 4 games.
Advance to Round 2: 8 games.
You play 2 games at a time, requiring a minimum of 1 move per day.
The 2-day time control provides flexibility. ⚠️ No vacation time is allowed – ensure you can make consistent moves.
4. What is the format of the tournament?
Hosted on Chess.com
2-day time control
No vacation
9-player max per event
Begins once full after official start date
5. Who is eligible to participate? Everyone! There are around 18 themed tournaments per series, with rating ranges for all skill levels.
6. How do I sign up for the tournament?
Go to the Grand Tourneys tournament series page or the Public forum topic.
Pick your daily rating range.
Click Join on the tournament page.
7. What happens if my rating changes after I join a tournament? If your rating goes above or below the tournament’s set range after you’ve joined, don’t worry. The Tournament Director will be notified that the tournament is full but hasn’t started. At that point, I’ll adjust the rating range manually to allow you to remain eligible, and then start the tournament. ✅ What matters is that your rating was within range at the time you joined. 📈 Rating changes just mean you're an active player—they won’t disqualify you.
8. Chess.com won’t let me join. What do I do? Common reasons:
✅ Daily rating mismatch – Pick a tournament in your daily rating range.
✅ Tournament is full – Message me and I may create another one!
❌ Abandoned game % too high – You must have <40% abandoned daily games.
❗ Stale invites – If Chess.com thinks you ignored an invite, it may block your signup. Just message @AlAlper and I’ll send a fresh invite.
9. Is there an entry fee? No. It's completely free to enter. 🎉
🎯 Rules and Gameplay
10. What are the rules of the tournament? All standard Chess.com fair play rules apply. ⚠️ Warning: If there is any suspicion of a fair play violation, we will attempt to contact the suspected player. We will review their games, and if it appears that a violation occurred, the suspected player will be banned from future Grand Tourneys events. This decision is at the sole discretion of the Admin Team.
11. What is the time control for the tournament? 2 days per move for all games.
12. Are electronic devices allowed? This is an online event – all players must follow Chess.com’s fair play policy. 🚫 No engines, databases, or external help allowed.
🏆 Prizes, Rankings & Other Info
13. What are the prizes for the winners? 🎖️ Custom-themed trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in every tournament. With 9 players per tournament, 1 in every 3 wins a trophy. 💸 Note: Because it's free to enter, there are no stacks of cash 💵, bags of gold 💰💰, or secret treasure maps 🗺️ — just awesome trophies and eternal glory! 😄
14. How does the tournament affect my rating? These events are Chess.com rated and will impact your daily rating.
15. Are there tiebreakers in case of a draw? Yes – we use the Chess.com tournament tiebreaker system.
16. Where will the tournament take place? This is an online tournament hosted on Chess.com under the Grand Tourneys series.
17. What do I need for the tournament? A stable internet connection and access to Chess.com.
18. Who should I contact for more information? Message @AlAlper with questions or concerns.
19. What happens if I need to withdraw? Use the Chess.com tournament interface to withdraw anytime.
♟️ Grand Tourneys Themed Series FAQ ♟️
⚔️ General Questions
1. When will this start?
The tournament starts once the maximum of 9 players is reached after the official start date.
🚫 Suspicious Play Warning 🚫 To ensure fair play, all players will be scanned to verify their integrity, before the start of play. Suspicious players will be removed. This is not an indication of a fair play violation. This designed to keep even tournament.
2. How many rounds are there in the tournament?
You will play 1 or 2 rounds:
After Round 1, one winner from each group advances to Round 2.
All players in Round 2 place and receive a trophy. 🏆
3. Will I have enough time?
You will play 4 or 8 total games.
Round 1 exit: 4 games.
Advance to Round 2: 8 games.
You play 2 games at a time, requiring a minimum of 1 move per day.
The 2-day time control provides flexibility.
⚠️ No vacation time is allowed – ensure you can make consistent moves.
4. What is the format of the tournament?
Hosted on Chess.com
2-day time control
No vacation
9-player max per event
Begins once full after official start date
5. Who is eligible to participate?
Everyone!
There are around 18 themed tournaments per series, with rating ranges for all skill levels.
6. How do I sign up for the tournament?
Go to the Grand Tourneys tournament series page or the Public forum topic.
Pick your daily rating range.
Click Join on the tournament page.
7. What happens if my rating changes after I join a tournament?
If your rating goes above or below the tournament’s set range after you’ve joined, don’t worry.
The Tournament Director will be notified that the tournament is full but hasn’t started.
At that point, I’ll adjust the rating range manually to allow you to remain eligible, and then start the tournament.
✅ What matters is that your rating was within range at the time you joined.
📈 Rating changes just mean you're an active player—they won’t disqualify you.
8. Chess.com won’t let me join. What do I do?
Common reasons:
✅ Daily rating mismatch – Pick a tournament in your daily rating range.
✅ Tournament is full – Message me and I may create another one!
❌ Abandoned game % too high – You must have <40% abandoned daily games.
❗ Stale invites – If Chess.com thinks you ignored an invite, it may block your signup.
Just message @AlAlper and I’ll send a fresh invite.
9. Is there an entry fee?
No. It's completely free to enter. 🎉
🎯 Rules and Gameplay
10. What are the rules of the tournament?
All standard Chess.com fair play rules apply.
⚠️ Warning: If there is any suspicion of a fair play violation, we will attempt to contact the suspected player. We will review their games, and if it appears that a violation occurred, the suspected player will be banned from future Grand Tourneys events. This decision is at the sole discretion of the Admin Team.
11. What is the time control for the tournament?
2 days per move for all games.
12. Are electronic devices allowed?
This is an online event – all players must follow Chess.com’s fair play policy.
🚫 No engines, databases, or external help allowed.
🏆 Prizes, Rankings & Other Info
13. What are the prizes for the winners?
🎖️ Custom-themed trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in every tournament.
With 9 players per tournament, 1 in every 3 wins a trophy.
💸 Note: Because it's free to enter, there are no stacks of cash 💵, bags of gold 💰💰, or secret treasure maps 🗺️ — just awesome trophies and eternal glory! 😄
14. How does the tournament affect my rating?
These events are Chess.com rated and will impact your daily rating.
15. Are there tiebreakers in case of a draw?
Yes – we use the Chess.com tournament tiebreaker system.
16. Where will the tournament take place?
This is an online tournament hosted on Chess.com under the Grand Tourneys series.
17. What do I need for the tournament?
A stable internet connection and access to Chess.com.
18. Who should I contact for more information?
Message @AlAlper with questions or concerns.
19. What happens if I need to withdraw?
Use the Chess.com tournament interface to withdraw anytime.
💬 For additional questions, visit the official Chess.com Grand Tourneys page, join the Public forum thread, or message @AlAlper.