Name:     ACA's BALE (Be At Least Eighteen Years Old) Classic 2026

Dates:      Saturday 29 August 2026 – Sunday 30 August 2026

Sponsor:    Calgary Chess Club (CCC) and Alberta Chess Association.

Host:         CCC at CCC’s premises

TD:            Bhavik Dave 403-826-6747 bhavik.ec@gmail.com 

Format:     Swiss, 5-rounds, Classic 60/30 (game in 60 minutes plus 30 seconds/move),

                   CFC and FIDE rated.

Entry Fees:  Regular Adult $47, Junior (U20) $42; includes an $8 admin fee.

                      If paid more than 24 hours ahead (i.e., before 10:00 am on Friday, August 28th, 2026 the admin fee is waived, making Earlybird Adult $39, Junior $34.

   Titled Players (FM and above) $1. 

                     $20 Discount for NM's and CM's. 

Eligibility: Current CFC (Canadian Chess Federation).

 DETAILS

Address:      The Palma Centre, 3359 27 St NE, Suite 274, Calgary, AB T1Y 5E4.

Rounds:      Round 1: Saturday 10:00 am, August 29

                   Round 2: Saturday 1:00 pm, August 29

                   Round 3: Saturday 05:00 pm, August 29

                   Round 4: Sunday  10:00 pm, August 30

                     Round 5: Sunday  01:00 pm, August 30

 Ratings:    It would be a single Open section tournament.  Unrated players are not eligible any rating prizes but are still eligible for the overall prizes. 

 Head Arbiter/Organizer:   Zeeshan Munir zeeshanchristy@gmail.com.  Contact Zee with concerns,

                     suggestions, etc., for tournaments in general, and appeals.

 TD:           Contact TD with all questions related

                    to this tournament, e.g., Section and bye requests.

TD Rules and Procedures:

1.    The TD will not accept promises of attendance or payment.

2.     The TD reserves the right to promote a CFC-unrated Player to the Premier Section, e.g., if the Player holds an appropriate FIDE rating or a high chess.com (or equivalent) rating.

3.     To request a bye and receive a half-pt (max twice but not in the last round), contact the TD before the draw is made - usually 2- 3 days ahead, or at TD discretion.

4.     No-show default time is 30-minutes, but if a player contacts the TD, an extra 15 minutes may be allowed at the TD's discretion.

5.     If no contact within 2-Rounds, the TD will assume the Player has withdrawn and will not pair the player.  No payments will be refunded after the tournament has started.

6.     TD has the right to eject any Player who violates CCC’s posted Zero Tolerance Policy.

Purchase of Entry Fees and/or CCC Membership:  May be made:

         via the website https://CalgaryChess.com/CCC/Events, or

         via Etransfer to Payments@CalgaryChess.com, password = Excellence, or

         Cash

 CFC Membership:  Required, but CCC does not accept payments for CFC.  If necessary, join/renew CFC membership online at https://www.chess.ca/en/players/membership-join/.  The annual fee is Adult $43, Junior $28.  Alternatively, a CFC single-tournament membership is Adult $20, Junior $10.

If a Player joined or renewed at CFC in the previous 10 days, TD may require proof (e.g., screenprint).

 Prizes: will be the sum of entry fees less:

1.      ACA Admin Fees ($10 per player)

2.      Payment Processing Fees (up to 4%)