1st Annual Grant Chess Open

1st Annual Grant Chess Open
US Chess Grand Prix – 150 points
Hilton Irvine / Orange County Airport
18800 Macarthur Blvd, Irvine, CA 92612
Thursday, June 18 – Sunday, June 21, 2026

Event Overview

US Chess Grand Prix – 150 points

4-day, 8-round Swiss System, G/90 Inc 30 (3-day option: rounds 1-3 G/45 d10, then merge from 4th round). 
$50,000 guaranteed prizes (based on 330 entries). Only Elite Section is FIDE rated.

Sections & Prizes:

• Elite Section: Open to 2000+ (U2000 players may play with $100 up fee)
   
  • Prizes: $8,000 – 5,000 – 3,500 – 2,500 – 1,500 – 1,000 – 800
  • U2300 (within Elite): $3,500 – 2,000 – 1,000 – 500
    
     
• Major Section: U2000
   
  • Prize: $4,000 – 2,500 – 1,500 – 1,000 – 800 – 500
  • U1700 (within Major): $2,000 – 1,000 – 700 – 500
  • U1400 (within Major): $2,000 – 1,000 – 700 – 500
     
• Best Female Player: $2,000
   

Eligibility Rules:

• Cannot register for Major Section if online regular rating is higher than 2000; will be moved to Elite Section.
   

Entry Fees:

• $210 until March 1
• $240 until May 1
• $270 until June 1
• $290 after/on-site

Schedule:

• 4-day Schedule:
  • June 18: OPENING CEREMONY - 10:00 am, ROUNDS 11:00 am, 5:00 pm
  • June 19: 12:00 pm, 6:00 pm
  • June 20: 11:00 am, 5:00 pm
  • June 21: 11:00 am, 5:00 pm
     
• 3-day Schedule:
  • June 19: 9:30 am, 12:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 6:00 pm (merge rounds)
  • Continue as 4-day schedule
     

Other Rules:

• Byes allowed all rounds, limit 3; last bye must be taken by round 3
• No re-entry
• Refunds subject to $15 service charge
• NO CELLPHONES, WATCHES, HEADPHONES ARE ALLOWED INSIDE THE TOURNAMENT HALL. ANY SUSPICIOUS ITEMS MAY BE SUBJECT TO INSPECTION. PLAYERS MAY BE RANDOMLY SCREENED WITH METAL DETECTORS IN THE HALLWAY.
• NO SPECTATORS ALLOWED INSIDE THE TOURNAMENT HALL
   

Registration:

• Via KingRegistration: https://www.kingregistration.com/event/GrantOpen25
• No checks; credit cards OK
• USCF membership required
  
  Hotel:
• Reservation link will be available soon