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# Global Speed Chess Initiative – Portland

### Fast Moves. Big Prizes. A Growing Chess Community.

#### “Life is too short to play SLOW CHESS!”

Join us for the first event of Portland’s premier Global Speed Chess Initiative, a fast-paced, Swiss-format, rated tournament designed for players who are serious about testing their skills, tracking their improvement, and competing in high-quality speed chess games.

### 📅 Days:

### 📍 Location: Spaces Slabtown - Portland , Oregon

### ⏱ Time Control: Various - ( See Below )

### 📝 Format: Swiss System, 6+ games guaranteed per player

### 💰 Entry Fee: $17.50

### 🏆 Prize Distribution: 70% of entry fees paid out in prizes

  • 1st Place: 65% of the prize pool
  • 2nd Place: 35% of the prize pool

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### 📊 USCF RATED EVENTS - QUICK and Blitz - USCF Membership Required - You can purchase from us

  • USCF Blitz Rating (if 25+ rated games played)
  • Chess.com / Lichess Blitz Rating (must be non-provisional)
  • Provisional rating assigned by Tournament Director if needed
  • All players also receive a Global Speed Chess Rating (GSCR) upon completion

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### 🔢 Ratings Sections

For the first few weeks, all players will compete in one large rating group. As participation grows, we will divide into multiple sections, such as:

  • OPEN Section
  • Under 2000
  • Under 1600
  • Under 1400

This ensures fair competition and exciting matchups for all skill levels!

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### ⏳ Tournament Time Controls

We will begin with six different time controls for the first few events. As the group grows, we will introduce more Speed Chess formats, including:

  • All Events USCF and Global Speed Chess Rated
    Time controls : Tuesday 5/3 // Wednesday 10/0 // Thursday 3/2 // Friday 10/10 // Saturday 20 0 // Sunday 15/5

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### ♟️ Equipment – Bring What You Can!

  • Please bring your own chess set if possible.
  • If you don’t have a physical clock, download a chess clock app from the App Store.

Having extra equipment helps us run smoother events!

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### ⚠️ IMPORTANT TOURNAMENT INFO

✅ Bring a Government-Issued ID – Required for initial rating verification.

✅ Serious Players of all ratings levels Encoruaged – This event is designed for those looking for intense, high-quality games to truly measure their progress—or reveal where they need to improve!

✅ No Food or Outside Drinks Allowed in the Playing Area! – Free filtered water is available to all players. We must keep the tournament space pristinely clean. If you need snacks, there is a New Seasons Market across the street for pre- or post-tournament food options.

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### ♟️ Supporting Inner City Chess Programs

💡 25% of all proceeds will be donated to chess initiatives for inner-city schools, helping to foster the next generation of chess talent!

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### 🔥 The Long-Term Vision: A Speed Chess Hub for Portland

Organizer Maarifa Roho previously operated Philadelphia’s Franklin Mercantile Chess Club (2001-2012)—the city’s only full-time chess club until his departure, after which it unfortunately closed.

Now, this Meetup marks a fresh start—an effort to establish Portland’s premier Speed Chess Hub, a place where blitz enthusiasts can gather nightly for high-level rated games. The ultimate goal? A full time Chess Club Cafe offering a place to commiserate and play Speed Chess

🚀 Join the movement. Play fast. Play smart. Play for the future!

Are you ready to make your move? Sign up now!

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