The 2021 U.S. Open: It's On!

US Chess is pleased to announce that the 121st U.S. Open will take place in Cherry Hill, New Jersey as scheduled: July 31-August 8, 2021. For full event details, please click here.

This announcement is possible because of the lifting of COVID restrictions in New Jersey. The US Chess Executive Board announced the following, which passed by a 7-0 vote on May 27:

The Executive Board moves to implement the following mask policy during the US Open.

In consideration of the potential for vaccinated and unvaccinated players at the US Open, the US Chess Executive Board directs the US Chess Events staff to implement a required mask policy for all participants in the the US Open chess tournament and its related activities taking place between July 31-August 8, 2021. This mask policy applies to all sanctioned games, skittles room, side events, bookstore and other activities, such as when interacting with chess control or the registration desk.

This policy does not apply to the US Chess governance activities co-located with the US Open during August 4-8, 2021 because the participants in governance activities are all eligible to be vaccinated and presumed to have been so. Individuals may elect to wear a mask at any time during the governance meetings.

This policy is subject to review and change based on updates to the CDC's guidelines and any federal, state, local or hotel policies.