2027 Indiana Chess Congress

REGISTRATION:

Follow link above to register online.

Onsite registration for main sections before Friday @ 6:30 PM (3-day) & Saturday @ 9:30 AM (2-day) to ensure a first round pairing.

ENTRY FEES:

On or before February 1:  $100 Early Special. Open to ISCA members only. Anyone, including out-of-state players, may join ISCA before registering.
February 2 to March 10: $155. ($15 discount off this entry fee for ISCA members. ISCA membership costs $15, so it is always worth joining.)
On or after March 11: $170 for all registrants ($140 for Patron ISCA members)
Re-Entry Fee: $50 before Saturday @ 9:30 AM  Re-Enter Here 
Cancellation of registration before event subject to $10 fee withheld from refund.
$3 convenience fee if paying by credit card, not charged to ISCA members.
Save on all ISCA tournaments by becoming a member at https://www.indianachess.org
Titled players: Feel free to contact the ISCA president ([email protected]) regarding possible conditions available. They are limited, so act soon.
 

SCHEDULES and TIME CONTROLS:

All championship sections are 5-round Swisses:

3-day schedule:  Fri: 7:00 PM | Sat: 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM | Sun: 10:00 AM & 3:45 PM (all G/90 inc/30)

2-day schedule:  Sat: 10:00 AM & 1:30 PM (G/60 inc/30), then merge with 3-day at 5:00 PM (G/90 inc/30)
Half-point byes allowed in rounds 1-4, limit 2, must be committed before round 2.
ISCA annual membership meeting Sunday @ 2:10 PM, after round 4 concludes
 

SECTIONS:
 

86th Annual Indiana State Chess Championship (1900+)*

Top Prizes

$1200 | $900 | $500 | $300

U2300 Prizes

$600 | $300

Top Indiana Resident Bonus:

$250 + Trophy | $175 | $125

Top Indiana Resident Seniors (must verify age before round 4)

$125 for age 60+ | $125 for age 50-59
Top Indiana K-12 Player (must verify grade before round 4)
$100

*Any IN resident may enter into this section; out-of-state players must be rated 1900 or above.
 

Indiana State Major Open Championship (U2100)

Players rated below 1800 in this section must either have had a peak non-provisional rating of 1800+ or have earned a USCF 1st Category norm and must give proof of eligibility in comments at registration.

Top Prizes

$800 | $500 | $300 | $200

U1900 Prizes

$400 | $200
 

Indiana State Reserve Championship (U1801)

Players rated below 1500 in this section must either have had a peak non-provisional rating of 1500+ or have earned a USCF 2nd Category norm and must give proof of eligibility in comments at registration.

Top Prizes*

$800 | $500 | $300 | $200

U1600 Prizes (no unrated)

$400 | $200

Top Indiana Resident Bonus:

$200 + Trophy | $100

*Unrated players limited to $300
 

Indiana State Chess Booster Championship (U1500)

Players rated below 1200 in this section must either have had a peak non-provisional rating of 1200+ or have earned a USCF 4th Category norm and must give proof of eligibility in comments at registration.

Top Prizes*

$800 | $500 | $300 | $200

U1300 Prizes (no unrated)

$300 | $200 | $150

*Unrated players limited to $300
 

Indiana State Chess Novice Championship (U1200)

Top Prizes (no unrated)

$700 | $400 | $300 | $200

U1000 Prizes (no unrated)

$300 | $200 | $150

Unrated Player Prizes (if at least 3 unrated players registered)

$200 | $100 

 

SPECIAL EVENTS:
 

Future Champions (U1000 2-day event)

Saturday & Sunday, March 13-14. Held concurrently with the Indiana Chess Congress @ La Quinta Inn & Suites Indianapolis South, 5120 Victory Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46203. 5SS, G/60 inc/10. Rounds: Saturday 10:00, 1:30, 4:00, Sunday 9:00, 11:45. Entry fee: $60 by March 10, $80 afterward ($15 scholastic discount, and/or $5 discount to ISCA members). Medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Monetary prizes based on entries after registration has closed. ISCA swag for participants. Bring board, set, and clock. 

Saturday Cyclone (1200+)

Saturday Rated Beginner Open (U1200 or unrated)

Saturday, March 13. Held concurrently with the Indiana Chess Congress @ La Quinta Inn & Suites Indianapolis South, 5120 Victory Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46203. Saturday Cyclone is open to players ever rated 1200+ or who have earned a USCF 4th Category norm. Rated Beginner Open is open to players under 1200 or unrated. 5-round Swiss, G/30+10. Rounds: 10:30, 12:30, 2:00, 3:30, 5:00. Entry fee: $50 by March 10, $70 afterward ($5 discount to ISCA members). Medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Monetary prizes based on entries after registration has closed. ISCA swag for participants. Bring board, set, and clock. 
 

Sunday Quads

Sunday, March 14. Held concurrently with the Indiana Chess Congress @ La Quinta Inn & Suites Indianapolis South, 5120 Victory Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46203. Players will be divided by rating into 4-player quads. G/25 d5. Three rounds: Rd 1 at 10:30, then subsequent rounds ASAP.  Entry fee: $40 by March 10, $60 afterward ($5 discount to ISCA members). Prizes based on entries after registration has closed. ISCA swag and invitation to ISCA reception @ 2:00 PM Sunday for participants. Bring board, set, and clock. 
 

LOCATION / HOTEL:
 

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Indianapolis South

5120 Victory Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46203

+1 (317) 783-7751
 

Event room rates available (Group Code ISCA27)
$129/night plus tax (must reserve by February 26 to guarantee special rate)
Follow link above for hotel reservations.
All guest rooms recently renovated!
Players staying at host hotel eligible for special raffle prizes! [TBA]

PLEASE consider staying at the host hotel. Getting more room nights will help the tournament's financial position for expenses and prizes.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

All prizes paid electronically via PayPal.
Bring board, set, and clock. Equipment is not provided.
Published March ratings will be used.
In the State Championship section, all players must turn in their original signed scoresheet in addition to reporting results.
In the State Championship section, players may be assigned to play on a broadcasted DGT board. They must play on that board if assigned to it. Games are broadcast on a 15 minute delay as part of fair play measures.
 

Chief Tournament Director:

Daro Mott ([email protected])
 

Chief Assistant Tournament Director:

TBD
 

Registrar:

John Herr ([email protected])
Provide player USCF ID with all correspondence.
 

Organizer:

Indiana State Chess Association (indianachess.org)

ISCA President:  FM Lester VanMeter ([email protected])
 

Annual ISCA Meeting and ISCA Member Reception

The ISCA Member Reception will start at 2:00 PM, immediately before the meeting.

Annual ISCA Meeting: Sunday, March 14, 2027 at 2:10 PM, after round 4 concludes.

Meeting restricted to current ISCA Members (join at indianachess.org)