2026 Hornet Open

2026 Hornet Open

Saturday, December 5, 2026

Location: 

Venue: The Preston Family Room in Emporia State University’s Memorial Union

Address: 1331 Market St, Emporia, Kansas  66801

ESU Buildings & Parking Maps | Memorial Union 2nd Floor Layout Map

Positioned in the heart of the Flint Hills, Emporia is the perfect location for a chess tournament that you can drive to on a Saturday without having to wake up at 5 AM! 

We are only:

• 58 miles from Topeka
• 73 miles from Manhattan
• 82 miles from Lawrence
• 88 miles from Wichita
• 107 miles from Kansas City
• 109 miles from Hutchinson
• 115 miles from Salina

Format:

4 Round Swiss, G/45

Schedule:

Saturday December 5: 

• Round 1: 11:00 am     
• Round 2: 1:00 pm
• Round 3: 3:00 pm     
• Round 4: 5:00 pm  

Final results and standings (including prize distribution) will be announced immediately after the conclusion of the final round, which is expected to be between 6:30 - 7:00 PM. 

Registration:

$40 entry by December 4, 2026, via King Registration: https://www.kingregistration.com/event/2026HornetOpen

On-site/late registration is not available. 

Membership:

USCF membership must be current for all players.  Players will not be paired if USCF membership has expired. 

Byes: 

1 Half-point bye is offered for any round, if requested by December 4. 

Equipment: 

Please bring boards, sets and clocks.

Prize Fund (= to 50% of Total Entry Fees):

Open: 

• 1st place 30% of prize fund
• 2nd Place 18% of prize fund
• 3rd Place: 12% of prize fund

Reserve (U1400):

• 1st place 20% of prize fund
• 2nd Place 12% of prize fund
• 3d Place 8% of prize fund

Prize amounts will be rounded up to the nearest whole dollar. 

TD reserves the right to combine sections if:

• there are 24 or fewer total registered players, or
• either section has 8 or fewer registered players

If the tournament is combined into a single section, the prize breakdown will be as follows:

• 1st place 40% of prize fund
• 2nd place 25% of prize fund
• 3rd place 20% of prize fund
• 4th place 15% of prize fund

Amenities:

The venue features ample free parking, clean public restrooms, Elkay water bottle filling stations, and lots of comfortable seating options for in-between rounds. 

There are several hotels within a 2-3 mile drive of the venue. 

Food options near the venue (within 2-3 miles) on 6th Avenue or Industrial Road includes McDonald’s, Burger King, Spangles, Freddy’s, Sonic, Braums, Wendy’s, Arby’s, Subway, Taco Bell, Panda Express, Pizza Hut, Pizza Ranch, Domino’s, Starbucks, Scooters, Dunkin Donuts, and several local restaurants. 

TD Contact Information:

Chief Tournament Director

• Ben Cuellar
• [email protected]

Assistant Tournament Director

• Jon Klementowski
• [email protected]

Please reach out to either of us if you have any questions. We are here to help and make sure you have a positive chess tournament experience!