36th annual North American Open

An American Classic!

A Heritage Event!

DEC. 26-30, 26-29 OR 27-29, 2026  NEVADA  

US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 300 (ENHANCED)

36th annual North American Open

Open Section, Dec 26-30: 9-SS, 40/90, SD/30; d30. GM & IM norms possible. Other sections, Dec 26-29 or 27-29: 7-SS, 40/90, SD/30; d30 (3-day option, rounds 1-2 G/60, d10). Horseshoe Casino Resort (formerly Bally’s), 3645 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Las Vegas, NV 89103. Free parking for hotel guests and tournament participants.  $130,000 Guaranteed prizes! In 8 sections. Open: $10000-5000-3000-2000-1300-1000-800-700-600-500, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak bonus $300, top FIDE Under 2400/Unr $3000-2000-1000. FIDE rated, GM & IM norms possible. Under 2300: $7000-4000-2000-1200-800-600-500-500-400-400. FIDE. Under 2100: $7000-4000-2000-1200-800-600-500-500-400-400. FIDE. Under 1900: $7000-4000-2000-1200-800-600-500-500-400-400. Under 1700: $6000-3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-500-400-400. Under 1500: $5000-2500-1300-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300. Under 1300: $4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-400-400-300-300. Under 1000: $1500-1000-600-400-300-300-300-200-200-200. Prize limits: 1) Unrated limit $300 in U1000, $500 U1300, $700 U1500, $1000 U1700, $1500 U1900, $2000 U2100. 2) Under 26 OTB regular games played as of Dec 2026 USCF official list may not win over $800 U1000, $1500 U1300, $3000 U1500 or U1700. Games rated too late for Dec 2026 list not counted. 3) If any post-event Regular OTB or Regular Online rating posted 12/20/25-12/20/26, or current Regular Online rating, was more than 40 points over section maximum, prize limit $1500. 4) Remaining balance of a limited prize goes to next eligible player(s) in line. Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes: Best male+female 2-player combined team score in Rounds 1-7: $2000-1000-500-300-200. Team rating must average under 2200; may play in different sections and schedules; sign up for Mixed Doubles (no extra fee) at site by 3 pm 12/27. At least one member of team must be rated; teams including an unrated limited to $300; other prize limits do not apply to Mixed Doubles prizes. Top 7 sections EF: Online at chessaction.com: $245 by 9/20, $275 by 12/23, $300 online 12/24 to 1 hour before round 1, or at site to 1 hour before round 1: $300. Open Section: $800 additional surcharge unless USCF-rated 2300+ or FIDE-rated 2100+. Under 1000 Section EF: All $150 less than above. Seniors 65/over in U1300/over: All $100 less than above. Re-entry $120; no Open to Open. Foreign GMs: Free ($200 from prize); foreign GM minimum prize $800 if playing all 9 games with no byes, no deduction from minimum prize. US GMs, foreign IMs/WGMs in Open Section: Free ($200 from prize). US IMs/WGMs, foreign FMs/WIMs in Open Section, EF online at chessaction.com: $145 by 9/20, $175 by 12/23, $200 online 12/24 to 1 hour before round 1, or at site to 1 hour before round 1. Players forfeiting without proper advance notice subject to fine and losing future entry privileges.  All: No checks, credit cards OK. Special 1-year USCF dues with magazine if paid online with entry: Adult $54, Senior (65+) $48, Young Adult $33, Youth $24. 5-Day Schedule (Open Section only) reg. ends 12/26 10 am, rounds 12/26-28 11 & 6, 12/29 10 & 4:30, 12/30 10 am. 4-Day Schedule, reg. ends 12/26 5 pm, rounds 12/26 6 pm, 12/27-28 11 & 6, 12/29 10 & 4:30. 3-Day Schedule, reg. ends 12/27 10 am, rounds 12/27 11, 2:30 & 6, 12/28 11 & 6, 12/29 10 & 4:30. Bye: all, limit 3, limit 2 in last 4 rounds; must commit before round 3. HR: $109-109-139-169 plus $20/day additional resort fee required by hotel, link to be posted at chessevents.us (or call 800-833-3308, 702-739-4111, request Chess rate), reserve by 12/2 (subject to availability) or rate may increase (chess block may sell out before 12/2). Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Ratings: December FIDE used in Open, December official USCF in others (in U2300 section and below; unofficial USCF ratings or USCF Online Regular online ratings usually used if otherwise unrated). Cannot play below USCF Online Regular rating minus 100 points in Under 2300 Section or below. Foreign players in U2300 & below: see foreignratings.com. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. Special rules: CCA electronic devices rules used; players must cooperate with a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. See also devicerules.com. Prizes not claimed at site are usually paid by PayPal (may take about 3 weeks). Enter online: chessaction.com. No mail entries. Questions: Click here to show mail address (also see chesstour.com, chessevents.us for more rules and information). $15 service charge for refunds. Entries posted at chessaction.com (Click “entry list” after entering). Bring set, board, clock if possible- no equipment supplied (top boards in Open Section assigned to DGT boards each round).  Invitations: Click here to show mail address. Blitz Tournament 12/29 10:30 pm, enter at chessaction.com before 7 pm for lowest fee, higher EFs 7-9:30 pm (reg. ends 9:30 pm).