Winter Chess Open 2026

Sections 

Trophies & Medals + Over $2,500 in Cash Prizes

Conditions /  Different Entry Fees for each section

Novice Sections

USCF  Rated Sections

Trophies for all Top Scorers in Each Section

• Individual Name  Engraved Medallions for all Early Registered Participants, Standard Medals for all after Jan 22 

*Participation Trophies for all K-1 Sections  

Open to all K-12 students with Little or 

  no Tournament Experience. USCF Membership Required.

Multiple groups of 4-6-8 player sections structured closest to Skill, Grade & Age. 

Early Entry Fee $75 ( After 01/19 $85 )

$120 Onsite

U600

1st  Place Championship Trophy 

2nd Place Trophy 

3rd  Place Trophy 

• Individual Name  Engraved Medallions for all Early Registered Participants, Standard Medals for all after Jan 22  

This section is USCF rated in Rapid & Classical Format

Open to all K-12 Students Rated U600 USCF

4 Rounds Swiss  / Game 25 min + 5 Sec Delay

Early Entry Fee $75 / ( After 01/19 $85 ) Jan 24th $120 Onsite

U1000

1st  Place Championship Trophy + $100

2nd Place Trophy + $75

3rd  Place Trophy + $50

Based on 10 Entries

• Individual Name  Engraved Medallions for all Early Registered Participants, Standard Medals for all after Jan 22

This section is USCF rated in Rapid & Classical Format

Open to all USCF Rated K-12 Students

 U1000 

4 Rounds / Game 30 min + 5 Sec Delay

Early Entry Fee $85 / ( After 01/19 $100 ) $120 Jan 24th Onsite

U1500 Swiss

1st Place Engraved Gold Medal + $350

2nd Place Engraved Silver Medal + $250

3rd Place Engraved Bronze Medal + $150

Top Under 1300 Gold Medal +$100 

Based on 10 Entries

• Individual Name  Engraved Medallions for all Early Registered Participants, Standard Medals for all after Jan 22

This section is USCF rated in Duel Rapid & Classical Format

Open 

to all Chess Players Scholastic & Adult with a USCF Rating of U1500

4 Rounds / Game 35 min + 5 Sec Delay

Early Entry Fee: $95 

( After 01/19 $115 )  $140 Jan 24th Onsite

“Classical Quads”

Min USCF  Rating of 1200 required for Quads Section - 4,6 & 8 Player Sections  

Winner (s) of each Quad -

Receive a Gold medal & $400 

*1st $400 &  2nd Place $200 

only in 6 Player Section

* 1st $400, 2nd $250, 3rd $150 

only in 8 Player Sections

Each Group is structured within the closest proximity to a maximum of 200 USCF Rating points of the other participants, Players may Voluntarily play “Up” but NOT “Down”,   Tournament Directors reserve the right to all final Discretions. 

Must Register and vote on time preference in Advance prior to Jan 24th in order to be Guaranteed an appropriate  Spot in  Classical Format Sections

This section is USCF rated in 

 “Rapid” or “Classical Format”

Open

Multiple groups of 4-6-8 players, open to all chess players Scholastic & Adult.

Participants may together vote and choose various Time Controls based on Preference ahead of time.

3 Rounds / Game 60 min + 5 Sec Delay 

3 Rounds / Game 45 + 5 Sec Delay

4 Rounds / Game 35 + 5 Sec Delay

*7-12 Round Robin Option Game 10 + 2 Sec increment ( Rapid Rated Only  )

For G35,G45 & G60, All Participants Must Notate Complete Chess Games in Algebraic or Descriptive format or until either player is below 5 minutes on their chess clocks. 

Early Entry Fee : $125 

 ( After 1/19 $150 ) $175 Jan 24th Onsite

First Come - First Serve