The 67th Annual New Jersey Open

The Morristown Hyatt

The 67th Annual New Jersey Open chess championship will be played this weekend, from Saturday through Labor Day.  It is a wonderful "heritage" event that promises to be even more special this year due to its move to historic Morristown.  Located at the recently renovated and luxurious Morristown Hyatt, the tournament offers a wonderful location for players -- and for their companions as well, if they bring any.  I have often heard chessplayers complain that most tournaments are run like weekend gambling junkets rather than as potential tourism opportunities.  With the move to Morristown, the organizers offer you a real family vacation with many potential tourist destinations (see the excellent Morris County Visitor's Guide for details).  And, for the serious chessplayers and book lovers, Fred Wilson will be there with a great collection of books.  

Chess tables on The Green

And "chess tourists"" can take time to visit nearby Lake Hopatcong, site of the famous tournaments of 1923 and 1926, about which I have written a number of articles.

Players at Lake Hopatcong 1926 (clockwise): Capablanca boating with his family, Marshall at the wheel, Kupchick testing the summer fruit with the hotel staff, Ed. Lasker on the diving board, and Maroczy fiddling his violin.

If you have not entered already, best to register and pay at the site.  Here are the tournament details:


67th Annual New Jersey Open Championship
Headquarters Plaza Hyatt, 3 Headquarters Plaza, Morristown, NJ (973) 898-9100
In 4 sections, Open Section, Gold U1900, Silver U1600 and Booster U1300. 6SS Time Control: 40/2, SD/1.  With 3 day and 2 day schedules.  Prizes: Open:$500-$400-$300-$200-$100, Top Expert & A:  $100 and trophy.  Trophy to NJ Champion.  Gold Section $500-$300-$100.  Top B: $100 and trophy.  Prizes for Open and Gold sections guaranteed.  Silver U1600: $500-$300-$100. Top D: $100 and trophy.  Booster U1300: $500-$300-$100.  Top E & F $100 & trophy.  Prizes for Silver & Booster based on 35 entries in each section.  All sections get these trophies: Top 3, Top Senior over age 55, Top Under age 16, Top Under Age 13.  Unrated may win first place in Open section only.  EF Early $68 if paid by 8/27.  EF onsite is $80.  $50 for re-entry.  3 day reg at hotel: 9:00am-11:00am 8/31/2013.  2 Day reg at hotel: Sunday, 9/1/2013 9-10am.  Rounds: 3 day Saturday 12:00 & 6:30pm, Sunday 11am & 6pm, Monday 9am & 3:30pm.  Rounds 2 day:1-2-3(G/60) Sunday 10:30am & ASAP.  3 Day and 2 Day schedules merge in round 4.  Entries to Noreen Davisson, 6 Red Barn Lane, Randolph, NJ 07869.  Email: Noreen@deanofchess.com.