17th annual Golden State Open

US Chess Junior Grand Prix

JAN. 16-19, 17-19 OR 18-19, 2026  CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (ENHANCED) 

17th annual Golden State Open 

7-SS, 40/80, SD/30; d30 (3-day option, rounds 1-2 G/60 d10, 2-day option except in Major Section, rounds 1-4 G/30, d10), Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend at Hilton Concord Hotel, 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord, CA 94520-5718. Daily parking $10/day, overnight Chess rate parking is about half of regular published hotel parking rate. Prizes $25,000 guaranteed.  5 sections. Major (1900/up). $3000-1500-700-500-300, clear/tiebreak 1st $100, top USCF U2300 $1000-500. FIDE. Under 2100: $1700-900-500-300-200, top U1900 $800-400. FIDE. Under 1800: $1700-900-500-300-200, top U1600 $600-300. Under 1500: $1400-700-400-300-200, top U1300 $400-200. Under 1200: $1000-500-400-300-200, top U1000 $200-100.  Unrated prize limits: U1200 $200, U1500 $300, U1800 $400. Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes: best male+female 2-player team combined score among all sections: $1000-500-300. Team rating must average under 2200; may play different sections and schedules; register (no extra fee) before both players begin round 2. Top 4 sections EF: $138 at chessaction.com by 1/13, all $160 later online or at site (no checks, credit cards OK) until 1 hour before round 1. GMs $130 from prize. U1200 Section EF: $30 less than top 4 sections. All: Special 1-year USCF dues with magazine if paid online with entry: see chessevents.us. Re-entry (no Major to Major) $60. Online EF $5 less to CalChess members. 4-day schedule: Late reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rounds. Fri 7 pm, Sat & Sun 12 & 6, Mon 10 & 3:30.  3-day schedule: Late reg. ends Sat 11 am, rounds Sat 12, 3 & 6, Sun 12 & 6, Mon 10 & 3:30. 2-day schedule: Late reg. ends Sun 9 am, rounds Sun 10-12-2-3:45-6, Mon 10-3:30. No 2-day Major. Byes: OK all, limit 2, must commit before round 3. January Officlal Ratings used; USCF unofficial or Regular Online ratings usually used if otherwise unrated, or to qualify for Major (see peakrating.us). Cannot play below Online Regular rating minus 100 points.  Foreign player ratings: See foreignratings.com. HR: $154-154 (includes $5 mandatory state and local tourism surcharge), use link to be posted at chessevents.us (or call 925-827-2000 or 1-800-HILTONS, mention Chess rate); reserve by 12/27 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, link at chesstour.com, use AWD #D657633. Enter online: chessaction.com. No mail entries. Questions: Click here to show mail address, chesstour.com. Refunds, $15 service charge. Bring set, board, clock if possible-- none supplied. Entries posted at chessaction.com (Click “entry list” after entering). Blitz tournament Sun 10:30 pm, enter at site Sun by 10:10 pm.