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121st Annual U. S. Open Chess Championship
July 31 - August 8, August 3-8 or August 5-8, 2021 · Cherry Hill, NJ


Click HERE for latest pairings and results!


300 Enhanced US Chess Grand Prix Points · A Heritage Event · US Chess Junior Grand Prix

Crowne Plaza Cherry Hill · 2349 West Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill NJ 08002

HR: $119. Reservations: Click here or call (856) 665-6666, mention "US Open Chess Championship".
Reserve by June 29 or rate may increase.

Email [email protected] with questions.


As of 6/15/2021, the Crowne Plaza is out of rooms between July 31 and August 4. Rooms may become available due to cancellations; please check with the Crowne Plaza directly.

UPDATE 7/25/2021: Unfortunately, the hotel pool is closed for the remainder of the summer season. There is a maintenance issue that cannot be repaired until later this year. The Crowne Plaza regrets the incovenience.


OVERFLOW HOTELS

Days Inn, 525 Rt 38 East, Cherry Hill NJ 08002
(about 1.1 miles from tournament site)
$110/night, double room
Call 856-663-0100; mention "US Open Chess".
Best Western Plus, 7050 Kaighns Ave, Pennsauken NJ 08109
(about 1.9 miles from tournament site)
7/30 to 7/31: $139-149 single-double
8/1 to 8/5: $109-119 single-double
8/6 to 8/7: $139-149 single-double
Click here to reserve a room!
Hoilday Inn, 2175 Marlton Pike W, Cherry Hill NJ 08002
(about 0.7 miles from tournament site)
8/1 to 8/8: $129-129 single-double
Click here to reserve a room!
Or, you may call 877-213-6799.


Benjamin lecture: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, 8/7. Lecture will last for 30 minutes. Book signing to follow in bookstore.


LIVE Broadcast of top games: USChess.live


2021 Delegates Call available here!

UPDATED workshop schedule available here!

This version is the most current, and is slightly different than the Delegates Call version.

Complete US Open schedule of events available here!

List of local restaurants available here!

Best options from Philadelphia International Airport:
Uber, Lyft, or First Class Limousines (856-461-3300)


US Chess COVID Policy

UPDATED 8/1/2021 per Executive Board motion

Please note, entering or attending this event constitutes acceptance of the US Chess COVID policy. Plans are subject to change based on federal, state, and municipal policy/guidelines in effect at the time of the event. US Chess will update this site as needed to reflect such changes.

In view of the recent CDC guidance on use of masks, the Executive Board decrees that masks must be worn in all public spaces related to the US Open's competitive and governance functions. This is a requirement implemented by US Chess at the direction of the Executive Board. This mask policy applies to all sanctioned games, skittles room, side events, official vendors including the bookstore and T-shirt concession, governance activities such as committee meetings and workshops, and other activities, such as when interacting with Chess Control. Those covered by this policy include, but are not limited to, players in games, tournament staff, Delegates, US Chess staff, and other attendees such as family members in the above specified areas. You may bring your own face covering. US Chess will provide face coverings as well.

Attendees at governance functions who are actively speaking at a microphone have the option to lower their masks.

This updated mask policy applies to all attendees, irrespective of vaccination status.

For complete details, please review the US Chess COVID policy in full before traveling to the event.


The Grand Ballroom is closed to spectators starting at 7pm Saturday, July 31, through 5pm Tuesday, August 3. This decision was made to help limit crowding in a limited space, and to assist with FIDE compliance for spectator restrictions during the invitationals. The Grand Ballroom will be open to spectators again at 7pm Tuesday, August 3, at the start of the six-day US Open schedule.


US Chess thanks Mexpo International, Inc. for providing for the safety of our guests by generously donating 10,000 face masks to this year's U.S. Open.


$50,000 [PROJECTED] Prize Fund based on 500 entries, $40,000 Guaranteed
$8000-4000-2000-1500-1000-800-600-500   + $200 to clear winner
      in case of tie top 2 play Armageddon game for title and $200 bonus.
Separate Armageddon game for U.S. Championship qualifier, if necessary.
      (Armageddon is G/10, d0. Players bid for starting time with Black. Low bid gets bidded start time, Black and draw odds.)
Top Master [2200-2399]: $2500-1250-800-500.
Top Expert [2000-2199]: $2500-1250-800-500.
Class A [1800-1999]: $2500-1250-800-500.
Class B [1600-1799]: $2500-1250-800-500.
Class C [1400-1599]: $2000-1000-600-400.
Class D [1200-1399]: $1500-700-500-300.
Class E & Below [100-1199]: $1500-700-500-300.
Unrated: $800-400-200.
 
Mixed Doubles Additional Prizes may be won in addition to a Place prize or a Class prize
Note: Average Team rating must be under 2200
    1st (U2200) Prize: $600 ($300 each player)
    1st Under 1800 team Average Prize: $320 ($160 each player)
    Husband & Wife: $300 ($150 each player)
    Mother & Son: $300 ($150 each player)
    Father & Daughter: $300 ($150 each player)
    Brother & Sister: $300 ($150 each player)
    Coach & Student : $300 ($150 each player)
 
July 2021 rating supplement will be used for US Open and all associated events. Unofficial ratings used if otherwise unrated. CCA ratings used if above US Chess. Foreign player ratings: usually 100 points added to FIDE or FQE, 200+ added to most foreign national ratings, no points added to CFC. Highest of multiple ratings generally used.

9 Round Swiss with 3 Schedules
Traditional:       One round daily at 7 p.m. then the final round [8/8] at 3 .p.m.
6-Day Option:   First 6 rounds 8/3 at 7 p.m., 8/4 at noon & 7 p.m., 8/5 at noon & 7p.m., 8/6 at noon. (Then it merges into the traditional schedule for round 7 at 7 p.m. on 8/6.)
4-Day Option:   First 6 rounds 8/5 at noon, 3 p.m., 7 p.m. & 10 p.m.; 8/6 noon & 3 p.m. (Then it merges into the traditional schedule for round 7 at 7 p.m. on 8/6.)
      All schedules merge after Round 6 and compete for the same prizes.
      Round 7 at 7 p.m. 8/6, Round 8 at 7 p.m. 8/7, & Round 9 at 3 p.m. 8/8.

Time Control:
Traditional and 6-Day Schedules: 40/100, SD/30, inc/30 (30-second increment from move one)
4-Day Schedule: rounds 1-6 at G/60 d5   rounds 7-9 at 40/100, SD/30, inc/30

Half-Point Byes
Must commit before Round 4 pairings are posted; up to 3 half point byes allowed for 2000/up, 2 half point byes for 1400-1999, one half point bye for Under 1400 or unrated. Limit 1 half point bye in last two rounds.
Zero-point byes are always available in any round.
All Byes must be requested at least two hours before the round(s) in question.

Entry Fee:
Online:      $155 by 6/27, $175 by 7/11, $195 after.
By Mail:     $177 postmarked by 7/11, $197 postmarked after 7/11; do not mail after 7/23!
                  U. S. Chess Federation, Attn.: 2021 U. S. Open, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557
By Phone:  $175 by 6/27, $195 by 7/11, $215 after.   (800) 903-8723
                  No phone entries after 7/30 (by the close of business at the Office)!
Contact:     [email protected] with changes or questions about entries.
On Site:     All $200; GMs and WGMs play free.
All entries must be made at least 2 hours before your first game is played.
Re-entries: $100.


Side Events

Sat-Sun July 31 - August 1   Weekend Swiss   10 US Chess Grand Prix Points 5SS, G/60 d5 $1,150 Guaranteed Prizes: $200-100-50, U2200/Unrated $160, U2000 $150, U1800 $140, U1600 $120, U1400 $100, U1200 $80, Unrated $50. Entry fee $40, Unrated players free if paying US Chess dues. Maximum two half-point byes; must declare before round 3 pairings are posted. On-site Registration 10:00-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Rounds at noon & 3:00 p.m. Saturday, 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. Sunday.

Sat July 31   U. S. Open Bughouse   G/5;d0. Entry fee $20 per team. 80% of entry fees in cash prizes. Registration ends at 10:00 AM, Round 1 begins at 10:30 AM.

Sun August 1   U. S. Open Scholastic   (See Below)

Mon, August 2; Wed, Thu, Fri August 4, 5, 6   U. S. Open Quads (one day events)   G/30;d5. Entry fee $20. Registration 9:30-11:30 a.m., Rounds at noon, 1:30 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. $50 to first in each quad.

Tue August 3   U. S. Open Quads (Tuesday Quads Only)   G/60;d5. Entry fee $20. Registration 9:00-10:00 a.m., Rounds at 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. $50 to first in each quad.

Wed August 4   U. S. National G/15 Championship   5-SS, G/15;d5. Quick rated, higher of regular or quick rating used. Entry fee $40. Registration 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM. Rounds at noon, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00. 80% of entries as returned as cash prizes. 1st 30%, 2nd 15%, U2100 12%, U1800 10%, U1500/Unrated 8%, U1200 5%.

Fri August 6   U.S. Open Golf Event  
Date and time: Friday, August 6, 7:00-11:00 a.m. Location: Pennsauken Golf Course, 3800 Haddonfield Rd. #3700, Pennsauken Township NJ 08109
Cost: $52, cart included (seniors ages 60+: $47). No walking allowed on Friday.
Who Can Play?: If you're at the U.S. Open in any way, shape, or form, you're welcome to play!
Prizes for closest to the pin, longest drive, and score!
Please call or email Mike Wojcio (808-269-3395; [email protected]) and tell him your average golf score.
NOTE: They do not have golf club rentals at Pennsauken Golf Course, so you should bring your golf clubs or find out where you can rent a set of clubs.

Saturday August 7   U. S. Open National Blitz Championship 15 US Chess Grand Prix Points
7 Double Round (14 games) Swiss, 1 section, G/5;d0.
Blitz rated, higher of regular or Blitz rating used.
Entry fee $40, free to Unrated players if paying US Chess dues.
Registration 9-11:30 a.m, round 1 begins at noon.
$2000 Guaranteed Prizes!: $$400-200-150, U2200 $200-100, U2000 $200-100, U1800 $180-90, U1600/Unrated $140-70, U1400 $100, U1200 $70.


Meetings and Workshops

August 4-6   Workshops & Committee Meetings  

TBD   Awards Reception  

August 7-8   Delegates’ Meeting  

Full meeting schedule coming soon


Other Championships

The 2021 Arnold Denker Tournament of High School Champions
is an annual event held in conjunction with the U.S. Open, in which the 51 high school champions of each state affiliate and the District of Columbia compete to determine who will be crowned the Denker Champion of Champions. It was founded in 1985 by Grandmaster Arnold Denker (1914-2005).

The 2021 Dewain Barber Tournament of Middle School Champions
was founded in 2011 by Dewain Barber to provide a competition comparable to the Denker tournament for middle school students.

The 2021 Ruth Haring National Girls’ Tournament of Champions
is a tournament of Champions for girls from across the United States. It is held annually in the model of the Denker and Barber Tournaments. The tournament is named in memory of WIM Ruth Haring (1955-2018), former US Chess President.

The 2021 John D. Rockefeller III National Tournament of Elementary School State Champions
was founded in 2020 to provide a competition comparable to the Denker tournament for elementary school students. This event is named in memory of John D. Rockefeller III (1906-1978), noted philanthropist.

The 2021 John T. Irwin National Senior Tournament of Champions
is a tournament of Champions for seniors from across the United States. This event was founded in 2018, and is named in memory of John T. Irwin (1940-2019), poet, literary critic, and English professor.

The 2021 FM Sunil Weeramantry National Blitz Tournament of State Champions
is a blitz tournament for State Champions from across the United States attending the other US Open invitationals. This event was founded in 2020, and is named for Sunil Weeramantry, chess master, author, coach, organizer, and scholastic official.

Participant lists, schedules, and other information are posted at the tournament web sites above.


U.S. Open Scholastic Championships

Open to all US Chess members entering Grade 12 and below [including new members].

4 Round Swiss in Four Sections:

  • Junior High - High School Championship
    • Open to players entering Kindergarten through the 12th Grade in the fall.
    • Open to all ratings.

  • Junior High - High School Under 1200
    • Open to players entering Kindergarten through the 12th Grade in the fall.
    • Open to players rated below 1200. No Unrateds!

  • Elementary Championship
    • Open to players entering Kindergarten through the 6th Grade in the fall.
    • Open to all ratings.

  • Elementary Under 1000
    • Open to players entering Kindergarten through the 6th Grade in the fall.
    • Open to players rated below 1000. No Unrateds!

If the sections are larger than expected, they may be split into multiple sections.

Prizes

Trophies to the Top 3 in each section.


The number of trophies may increase based on the number of entries.


Schedule:

  • Round One at 12 NOON.
  • Round Two at 1:30 PM.
  • Round Three at 3:00 PM.
  • Round Four at 4:30 PM.
  • Awards Ceremony at 6:00 PM.


Time Control:

Game/30;d5.

Entry Fee:
Online, $25 by 7/11, $35 after.
By mail, $27 postmarked by 7/11; $37 postmarked by 7/23 Do not mail after 7/23 - it will not be received!
By phone, $25 by 7/11, $35 after until 7/23 by 5 PM CDT.
Onsite, $40 until 7/31 by 10 AM EDT.



NOTES:

  1. July Rating Supplement will be used.
  2. All refunds will be mailed from the US Chess Office following the conclusion of the event.
  3. Accelerated pairings may be used.