2026 Cincinnati Open

Overall prize pool of $18,000 is based on 280 paid entries.

FIDE sections

FIDE Elite: ratings* of 2000 or higher; prizes: $1,260 - $900 - $630 - $450 - $360

FIDE Expert: ratings* of 1801-2200; prizes: $1,100 - $790 - $550 - $395 - $315

FIDE Class: ratings* of 1401-1800; prizes: $945 - $675 - $475 - $335 - $270

*Official USCF Regular ratings as of April 1, 2026, or alternative ratings as specified at https://www.chesscincinnati.com/cincinnati-open/fide-sections/, will be used for section eligibility. Unrated players may not play in any FIDE section.

Traditional five-round format: 2- and 3-day schedules; rounds 1&2 of 2-day schedule are not FIDE rated. Players may take up to two optional half-point byes.

Time control: 40/90,SD/30;+30 except rounds 1&2 of 2-day schedule G/75;d5.

UNDER sections (not FIDE rated)

Seniors* U2201: U2201 $725 - U1901 $520 - U1601 $360 - U1301 $260 - U1001 $205
*Born in or before 1976

U1901: $755 - $540 - $380 - $270 - $215

U1601: $630 - $450 - $315 - $225 - $180

U1301: $505 - $360 - $250 - $180 - $145

U1001: $380 - $270 - $190 - $135 - $105

Players may play up one section higher than the section for which their rating qualifies them, with the payment of an additional $15 fee.

Unrated players may play in any UNDER section but may not win any prize larger than the 2nd-place prize for their section.

Six rounds are scheduled for the UNDER sections; all players must take one zero-point bye for any round so as to play a five-game schedule. Players may take up to two optional half-point byes in addition to the required zero-point bye.

Time control: all rounds G/110;d5.

Entry: Advance entry online or by mail, must be received by 8:00 am on Friday, April 10. Advance entry fee $120 through Friday, April 3, $135 thereafter; onsite entry Friday evening or Saturday morning $150. Play-up fee $15 additional as applicable (only in UNDER sections). Re-entry $65 (available only to players who play the Friday night round).

Complete tournament details are available at https://www.chesscincinnati.com/cincinnati-open/