Event Overview
Dates: Friday March 13– Sunday March 15, 2026
Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Intercontinental Airport
15747 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Houston, TX 77032 (just off Beltway 8, 1 mile from IAH)
Special chess-room rate: $92 + tax if reserved by March 1, 2026
Hotel Amenities: Complimentary self-parking, free IAH shuttle, basic in-room internet.
Schedule & Format
• All sections: 5‑round Swiss
• Open & U2000: FIDE‑rated, time control G/90 + 30s increment
• Other sections: US Chess rated, G/120 + 5s
• 2‑day option: Round 1 is G/60 + 5s (not FIDE rated for Open/U2000)
• Free entry for GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs
Prize Fund $11,750 (based on 225 full-paid entries; U1300 counts at 70%)
Special $250 prize for top female player in the Open Section
- OPEN - $1700 + plaque - $900 - $600 - $400 - $200 (U2200) - $700-400
- U2000: $800 + plaque - $400 - $300 - $150 - $100
- U1800: $800 + plaque - $400 - $200 - $150 - $100
- U1600: $800 + plaque - $400 - $300 - $150 - $100
- U1300.: $550 + plaque - $350 - $250 - $150 - $100
Registration Details
• Sign up @ 2026 LSO
• Early Registration ends March 1
• Sections based on the US Chess March 2026 supplement
• Titled players enter free; entry fee waived and deducted from prize if GM/IM/WGM/WIM
15747 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
, TX 77032
United States