Event Overview
FIDE Rated • USCF Rated • Montana Grand Prix Event
Presented with support from Whitefish Credit Union and Missoula Motors
Dates: November 21–23, 2026
Venue: Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown, 200 S Pattee St, Missoula, MT 59802
Main Event/Open Section
FIDE Rated and USCF Rated
Open to all players
5 Round Swiss
Time Control: Game/110 +10
Under 1600 Section
USCF Rated
Under 1600
5 Round Swiss
Time Control: Game/110 +10
Schedule
Friday, November 20
5:00 PM — Simul and Lecture at Loyola Sacred Heart High School
Saturday, November 21
Registration: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Round 1: 9:30 AM
Round 2: 1:30 PM
Round 3: 6:30 PM
Sunday, November 22 (to be finalized)
Round 4: 9:00 AM
Round 5: 1:00 PM
Awards Ceremony Immediately Following Final Round
Entry Fees
Adult: $40 pre registered. $60 day of registration
Junior: $30 pre-registered. $50 day of registration
Titled Players: No registration fee
Junior discount applies to players under 18 years old.
Advance registration strongly encouraged.
Advance registration available at MissoulaChess.com
Prize Fund: $5,000
Open Section
1st Place: $1,000
2nd Place: $700
3rd Place: $500
4th Place: $400
To U2000: $300
Biggest Upset Prize: $200
Under 1600 Section
1st Place: $800
2nd Place: $500
3rd Place: $300
Top U1400: $200
Top U1200: $100
Prize distribution subject to 60 paid entries.
Scholastic Tournament
A Saturday morning scholastic tournament will be offered for youth players.
Entry Fee: $10 for players participating only in the scholastic event
Free for scholastic players entering the Missoula Turkey Open after taking a Round 1 bye
3 or 4 rounds based on final entry count
Time Control: Game 25 with 5-second delay
Scholastic rounds will be held concurrently during Round 1 of the Missoula Turkey Open
Players transitioning into the main event in Round 2 will use their one allowable 0.5-point bye
USCF Rated. NOT FIDE Rated.
Officials
Chief Tournament Director & FIDE Arbiter: Bill Broich
Chief Organizer: Eric Walthall, Missoula Chess
Friday Night Simul & Lecture
The Friday evening simultaneous exhibition and lecture will begin at 5:00 PM at Loyola Sacred Heart High School, 320 Edith St, Missoula, MT 59801.
Featured presenters:
GM Var Akobian
FIDE Arbiter Bill Broich
Additional lecture topics and participation details will be announced.
Special Features
Boards 1–3 will be broadcast live via DGT boards to Chess.com
Players do not need to bring boards or pieces
Players should bring an approved chess clock
Montana players competing for Montana Grand Prix points must participate in the Open Section
Players are allowed one 0.5-point bye during the tournament
Hotel Information
Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown
200 S Pattee St
Missoula, MT 59802
Discounted Room Rate: $142 per night
Reservation Phone: 406-721-8550
Group Code: “Missoula Turkey Open 2026”
Players and families should call the hotel directly and mention the group code to receive the discounted rate.
Additional Information
Current US Chess membership required for all players
Montana residents are required to have Montana Chess Association membership ($15)
Players without an existing FIDE rating will receive a free FIDE ID through the tournament; however, a published FIDE rating is only issued after completing at least five rated games against already-rated FIDE opponents across one or more FIDE-rated tournaments.
Scholarships for Missoula Chess Club members are available
Pairings and standings will be posted online
Tournament organization reserves the right to refuse entries
200 S Pattee St
Missoula, MT 59802
United States