7:30pm Round times for 111th annual U.S. Open

Does anybody know why they would be starting the rounds for the US Open at 7:30pm PST? Seems like it's a bit late especially for people coming in from the east coast and the younger players. 

Is that how it has always been? Is that just what they have to do to accomodate the other events and other schedules?

I think it is normal, at least for United States. In Europe I believe they never have late night rounds. Only in morning/afternoons there. But any real chess player should be used to fighting time zone switching.

Luckily for me I will be flying into the 6-day US Open schedule a day early to adjust myself. And next year the US Open will be near my hometown. Orlando FL, yeah!

I think it will allow commuting chess players an extra half-hour to make their way through LA traffic. Its a good idea for those of us who live close i.e. San Diego, the desert communities to the east, Riverside etc.

I dont like evening games myself as stamina is too big a factor once you pass 50. I tend to get sleepy/tired long before the game is over when they start in the evening. I prefer to play in the afternoon, like they do in Spain.

it's the traditional time, as well as probably stemming from all the reasons cited above. on one or two occasions when i've played the us open they also had "early bird" schedules for the first 5 or 6 rounds.

if you are going, i suggest you get there a day early, stay up late, sleep late, and get on a special daily rhythm just for this event.