3rd Annual MLK Day Open

The Atlantic Chess Association is proud to organize the '3rd Annual MLK Day Open' in Dallas, TX.

WHEN AND WHERE:

Friday, January 15, 2027 - Sunday, January 17, 2027

Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria

14901 Dallas Parkway Dallas, Texas, USA, 75254

SECTIONS, PRIZES AND ELIGIBILITY:

Premier (FIDE Rated), U2200 (FIDE Rated), U2000 (FIDE Rated), U1800, U1600, U1300, U1000

All prizes are guaranteed and based on score. 

Advantages over place based scoring:

1. You can receive your prize as soon as your game ends. You don't have to wait for other games in your section to finish.

2. If there are multiple players with the same score, each player gets a prize as per the table. e.g. If there are 2 players with a score of 5 in the Premier section, they will get $1600 each. The prize amount is not split between players.

3. For a clear first place winner in a section (with a score other than 5), there is an additional bonus. e.g. A clear first place winner with a score of 4.5 in Premier section will get $800 + $300 = $1100 in prize money.

4. In general, games are of higher quality. There are no quick draws.

   

Unrated prize limit of $400 in U1600, $200 in U1300 and $100 in U1000.

January 2027 USCF Ratings will be used for Pairings. The organizer reserves the right to use a different rating system/conversion for any specific players or section as appropriate. 

Section Eligibility:

USCF published rating will be used to determine if a player is eligible to play in a section.  

Additionally, players may play in a higher section if their live rating is above the minimum required. 

If a player's live rating is above the maximum rating allowed in a section, they must play in the next higher section.

e.g. A player with a live rating of 1625 won't be able to play in the U1600 section. They must play in the U1800 section.

REGISTRATION:

Registration Link:  https://caissachess.net/register/11114871

Onsite Registration closes one hour before round 1. Players may register with a half-point bye after that. 

For Premier, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600 - 6:30 PM on 1/15

For U1300 and U1000 - 9 AM on 1/16

SCHEDULE and TIME CONTROL:

5 Round Swiss

Premier, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600: 1/15 at 7:30 PM, 1/16 at 10 AM and 4 PM, 1/17 at 10 AM and 4 PM.

U1300 and U1000 (2 day only): 1/16 at 10 AM, 1 PM and 4 PM, 1/17 at 10 AM and 1 PM.

Premier, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600: All games are G/90;+30

U1300, U1000: All games are G/60;d5

Forfeit Time (All Sections): 60 minutes

Up to two irrevocable half-point byes allowed. A first round bye must be requested by the time onsite registration closes.

½ point byes can be requested until one hour before round 2. Afterwards, only 0-point byes are allowed.

For Premier, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600 - 9 AM on 1/16

For U1300 and U1000 - 12 PM on 1/16

NOTE: Players who withdraw from the tournament are not eligible for any prizes. You can request zero-point byes anytime.

For Premier, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600: $135 by 11/15/26, $150 by 1/10/27, $165 on or after 1/11/27

For U1300: $95 by 11/15/26, $105 by 1/10/27, $115 on or after 1/11/27

For U1000: $75 by 11/15/26, $85 by 1/10/27, $95 on or after 1/11/27

All entry fee deadlines are in EST. Please select the correct entry fee option for your section while registering. 

CONDITIONS FOR GM/IM/WGM/WIM PLAYERS:

Must play all 5 rounds to be eligible for conditions. No byes or tournament withdrawal allowed.

Conditions for GMs/WGMs:

Free entry. No prize deductions if registered by 11/15. Otherwise, $100 will be deducted from the prize money. 

Conditions for IMs/WIMs:

Free entry if registered by 11/15. Otherwise, the entry fee is $100. 

NOTES:

For Marriott reservations with a chess rate of $149/night, click HERE. Last Day to Book : Friday, December 25, 2026.

Boards and pieces will be provided. Please bring a pen to write and a chess clock if you have it. Players must know how to set up their own clock.

No Electronic Notation Devices are allowed in any Section. Strict policy in place for cell phones and all electronic devices.

Withdrawals are subject to a 10% processing fee. Full credit can be used for any future ACA tournament. 

CONTACT:

Email: Click here to show mail address