2026 Houston Open

Section Format & Time Controls

Open: FIDE & US Chess rated, 5SS, G/90;+30

Titled Players: GMs, IMs, WGMs, and WIMs pay no Entry Fee, enter online and the entry fee amount is adjusted based on the title.

U2000: FIDE & US Chess rated, 5SS, G/90;+30

U1800: US Chess rated, 5SS, G/120;d5

U1600: US Chess rated, 5SS, G/120;d5

U1600: US Chess rated,5SS, G/120;d5

Schedule and Registration

(1) Game 1 of 2-Day Schedule, All Sections - G/60, d5 (Not FIDE Rated)

Schedules merge for round 2

Once the schedules merge, all players will compete as one group within their section.

ENTRY FEES

OPEN, U2000, U1800 & U1600, $99 before 11/6; $115 by 11/11/2025; $125 thereafter and on-site.

U1300: $79 by 11/6/2026; $89 by 11/11/2026; $99 thereafter and onsite on-site.

Re-Entry Fee: $40.  Available (U1800, U1600, and U1300/Unrated) before the start of Round 3; no re-entry in Open & U2000 section. Re-entry to change between sections may be allowed. 

Re-entries = 34% of a full entry toward prize guarantee

Withdrawals before November 12th (noon) are subject to a  $15 processing fee deduction or can receive a credit toward a future Cypress Chess tournament, valid for one year.

Withdrawals on or after November 12th (noon) will not receive a refund but will receive a credit toward a future Cypress Chess tournament, valid for one year.

Seniors (60+): $10 discount (Click here to show mail address)

Blitz: $30 in-person, on-site registration only

Scholastic: 2026 Houston Open Scholastic

Unrated players may only play in the Open or U1300/unrated section; however, in the OPEN SECTION they may only win 50% of the prizes awarded; in the U1300 section where unrated players are eligible for the full prize awarded.