Event Overview
Emerald Hills Chess, the Tri-Valley Chess League, and the Emerald Knights Chess Club present the Tri-Valley Nov 2026 Open, for players of all levels and ages, including youth and adults!
Our low-cost half-day tournaments consistently attract 200+ players (300 in Oct, 216 in Sept, 223 in Aug), including masters and other titled players, nationally-age-ranked competitors, adult improvers and returnees, and after-school chess club members trying out their first tournament!
Flex your chess skills over-the-board, boost your USCF rating, win one of 60+ individual trophies and $1,200 in guaranteed cash prizes, and have fun!
When: Sat Nov 21st, 2026, 9-1:30 PM; trophy ceremony start ~1:30 PM (late on-site registration allowed but first round pairing is not guaranteed)
Location: Pleasanton Middle School MPR, 5001 Case Avenue (see map)
Rounds and Time Control:
Championship, Experts, Premier and Challenger: 4-round rated Swisses with Games in 25 min/5 sec delay
Novices: non-rated 5-round Swiss (players play ALL 5 rounds) with 15 minutes and 3 seconds delay per move per player
Champion$hip Swiss for USCF 1200+ players (based on Nov 2026 supplement - check here - or (new!) live rating ok if higher) of any age (quads will return in September). Unrateds allowed only if 1200+ FIDE/other national rating, or significantly-higher online equivalent.
Entry Fee: $45 by Tuesday Nov 17th; $55 afterward (USCF membership required) $10 play-up fee for 1100+ (published or live rating)
Free entry for 1) USCF or FIDE titled players (including GMs, WGMs, IMs, WIMs, FMs, WFMs, and NMs) 2) Chess coaches bringing multiple student players
Guaranteed Prizes: 1st - $300, 2nd - $200, 3rd - $100, 1st U1400 - $125, 2nd U1400 - $75 (split in case of ties, players only eligible for 1 prize maximum). Trophies for Top 5 and Top 3 U1400
Expert$ for U1200/unrated players (based on Nov 2026 supplement - check here - or most-current live rating upon request) players of all ages
Entry fee: $40 by Tuesday Nov 17th; $50 afterward (USCF membership required)
Guaranteed Prizes: $150 1st place, $75 for 2nd place. $75 for top U1000/unrated. Trophies to Top 10, Top 3 U1000/unrated, and any other Outstanding Performers scoring 3 or more.
Premier for U800/unrated players (based on Nov 2026 supplement - check here - or most-current live rating upon request) of all ages
Entry fee: $40 by Tuesday Nov 17th; $50 afterward (USCF membership required)
Guaranteed Prizes: $100 first place. Trophies to Top 10, Top 3 U600/unrated, and any other Outstanding Performers scoring 3 or more.
Youth Challenger for K-12 players under 400 rating or unrated (based on Nov 2026 supplement - check here - or most-current live rating upon request)
Entry fee: $35 by Tuesday Nov 17th; $45 afterward ($24 US Chess Federation junior membership required)
Guaranteed Prizes: Trophies to Top 10, Top 3 U200/unrated, and any other Outstanding Performers scoring 3 or more.
Non-Rated Youth Novices for K-12 players that 1) are unrated, or 2) have provisional (under 25 games) USCF rating under 300; 3) have not won a Top 3 trophy in a prior Novices tournament.
Entry fee: $25 by Tuesday Nov 17th; $30 afterward (this section is NOT rated, so NO USCF membership required)
Guaranteed Prizes: Trophies for Top 5, Top 2 K-2, plus all other Outstanding Performers scoring 3.5 or more.
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Emerald Hills Chess is a 501c3 non-profit providing professionally-led after-school chess clubs and tournament training classes serving 300+ youth in the Tri-Valley. Learn more and register for our Fall 2026 classes and clubs.
The Tri-Valley Chess League is a student-led non-profit that holds tournaments and classes.
The Emerald Knights Chess Club is a student-led organization that holds tournaments and classes.
5001 Case Ave.
Pleasanton, CA 94566
United States