Event Overview
2026 Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Championships
January 2-5, 2026
Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center
3500 Midwest Road, Oak Brook IL 60523
Hotel rate: $112 per night plus tax for 1 king bed OR 2 queen bed room.
Book your rooms online here
6/SS, G/90+30, 4-board team tournament for college teams only.
US Chess rated; Open section is FIDE rated.
3 sections based on team average rating: Open, U2000, U1400
Full rulebook: Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship Rulebook
Note: Team Captains are responsible for submitting eligibility documentation in advance, as explained here. All eligibility documentation must be presented during check-in at the tournament.
Byes & Default forfeit time: No half-point byes (only zero point byes). Withdrawals must be submitted to the Organizer/Chief TD at least 2 hours before the round starts. A player and/or team will forfeit the game if they are not present at the board within 1 hour (60 minutes) after the start of the round.
Lineup Submission: Lineup submissions for each round are due 90 minutes before each round.
Ratings: Team average ratings are based on individual ratings taken from the December Supplement Rating, and as specified in the PanAms rulebook..
All players agree to comply with US Chess regulations concerning college player eligibility.
Entry fee: $240 per team online until 12/7/25; $280 online thereafter until 12/29/2024 when registration closes and player eligibility forms are due.
Online registration is encouraged. Mailed entries with check or money order in U.S. dollars must be postmarked by 12/6/25 and sent to Chess Weekend, 21694 Doud Ct., Frankfort, IL 60423 USA
Prizes
Team & Individual Tie-breaks will be used as specified in the PanAm Rules.
Team Prizes (Plaques)
- Top four teams (Open) will qualify for the 2026 Final Four College Chess Championship
- Top 4 teams in each section (Open, U2000) Top 3 teams in U1400
- Plaques to top Division II (2000-2199), Division III (1800-1999), Division V (1400-1599 in U1800 section), and Division VII (U1200 and unrated) teams.
- Plaque to top International Team
- Plaque to top Community College
- Plaque to top four-year small college team (under 5,000 enrollment)
- Plaque to top all-female team
- Plaque to best Mixed Doubles team (2 males and 2 females)
Individual Prizes
- Top Individual Boards 1-4
- Top Alternate
- Top 3 Females
- Top Individual Upset
Tournament Schedule
Friday, 1/2/2026
Onsite Registration/Check-in: 10:00am - 1:00pm
Technical Meeting (Captains & Coaches): 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Opening Ceremony: 5:30pm
Round 1: 6:00 pm
Saturday, 1/3/2026
Round 2: 10:00am
Round 3: 5:00pm
Blitz tournament: 9:30 pm
Sunday, 1/4/2026
Round 4: 10:00am
Round 5: 5:00p
Monday, 1/5/2026
Round 6: 9:00am
Awards Ceremony: Approximately 2:30 pm
Side events
2026 Pan-American Blitz
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Open to all collegiate players
Starts at 9:30 pm or immediately after the Pan-Am Saturday evening round.
2 sections: Open and U1800. 5 round double Swiss (10 total games). G/3; inc. 2. USCF blitz rated.
Prizes: Plaques for 1st through 10th in each section.
Entry: Free to players registered in the Pan-American Intercollegiate Championship. $10 for other collegiate players. Complete information and entry is here.
2026 New Year’s Resolution Open
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Open to US Chess players of all ages. We extend a special welcome (and special prizes) to college students who either aren’t playing on their college team in the Pan-Ams, or who don’t have enough players for a team..
$5000 b/100 entries
4/SS G/60; d5
Three Sections: Premier (1800+), Reserve (1200-1799), Booster (U1200)
Complete information and online entry is here
2026 New Year’s Resolution Blitz
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Open to US Chess players of all ages.
$500 b/30 entries
5 double rounds at G/3; inc 2.
Starts at 8 pm or immediately after round 4 of the 2026 New Year's Resolution Open
Complete information and online entry is here, or enter on site until 7:45 pm.
3500 Midwest Rd
Oak Brook, IL 60523
United States