US Chess Home arrow 119th Annual U. S. Open Chess Championship119th Annual U. S. Open Chess Championship
119th Annual U. S. Open Chess Championship
July 28-Aug 5, July 31-Aug 5, or 2-5, 2018 · Middleton, WI


Check back regularly for updates!

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

Madison Marriott West · 1313 John Q. Hammons Drive, Middleton WI 53582

HR: $115, Call (608) 831-2000, mention "US Chess".
Reserve by June 30 or rate may increase. Please call the hotel directly.

As of 6/4/2018, the hotel has sold out of all rooms in the tournament block. Please call the hotel to check for availability.

UPDATED reservation link as of 5/21/2018! Click Here to reserve a room online. Please note: parking is free for US Open attendees. Marriott cannot update the reservation link. You may disregard the parking charge shown there.

Email [email protected] with any questions or issues about the US Open, including dropouts.


LIVE Broadcast of top games: USChess.live

 

$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
      (White 5 minutes, Black 3 minutes and gets draw odds)
Top Master [2200-2399]: $2500-1200-800-500.
Top Expert [2000-2199]: $2500-1200-800-500.
Class A [1800-1999]: $2500-1200-800-500.
Class B [1600-1799]: $2500-1200-800-500.
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 2018 rating supplement will be used, 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 [8/5] at 3 .p.m.
6-Day Option:   First 6 rounds 7/31 at 7 p.m., 8/1 at noon & 7 p.m., 8/2 at noon & 7p.m., 8/3 at noon. (Then it merges into the traditional schedule for round 7 at 7 p.m. on 8/3.)
4-Day Option:   First 6 rounds 8/2 at noon, 3 p.m., 7 p.m. & 10 p.m.; 8/3 noon & 3 p.m. (Then it merges into the traditional schedule for round 7 at 7 p.m. on 8/3.)
      All schedules merge after Round 6 and compete for the same prizes.
      Round 7 at 7 p.m. 8/3, Round 8 at 7 p.m. 8/4, & Round 9 at 3 p.m. 8/5.

Time Control:
40/120, SD/60, d5
4-Day Schedule: rounds 1-6 at G/60 d5   rounds 7-9 at 40/120, SD/60, d5

Half-Point Byes
Must commit before Round 4; 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:      $145 by 6/25, $165 by 7/16, $185 after 7/16.
By Mail:     $147 postmarked by 6/25, $167 postmarked by 7/16, $187 after 7/16; do not mail after 7/23!
                  U. S. Chess Federation, Attn.: 2018 U. S. Open, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557
By Phone:  $150 by 6/25, $170 by 7/16, $185 after.   (800) 903-8723
                  No phone entries after 7/27 (by the close of business at the Office)!
Contact:     [email protected] with changes or questions about entries.
On Site:     All $190; GMs and WGMs play free.
All entries must be made at least 2 hours before your first game is played.


Side Events

Sat-Sun July 28-29   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. 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 28   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 July 29   U. S. Open Scholastic   (See Below)

Mon, July 30; Wed, Thu, Fri August 1, 2, 3   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 July 31   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 1   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%.

Wed August 1   Annual U. S. Open Golf Event   Contact Michael Wojcio if you want to play. email: runninghillsandpushups@gmail.com. Cost to enter is $10 plus the cost of green fees.

Wed August 1   Annual U.S. Open Tennis Event  
Join Dan Lucas, the US Chess Senior Director of Strategic Communication, for a fun tennis event in the midst of all the U.S. Open chess activities. In past years, participation has varied from 4-12 players, but we have indoor courts this year at the home facility of legendary tennis player and University of Wisconsin coach John Powless. John is at the facility daily, so you'll likely have a chance to meet him!
Date: Wednesday, August 1, 3p.m-5p.m.
Location: John Powless Tennis Center, 801 Struck Street, Madison, WI 53711
(Indoor courts! Only 7-10 minutes from the Madison Marriott West!)
Cost: $25 person to cover facility fees. To be paid at the facility.
Ability Levels: All levels welcome. In past years, we've had beginners through experienced league players. If the entrant is under 12 years of age, we ask that the parent or guardian be an entrant as well.
Format: Round Robin in which you switch partners after every 4 games, keeping track of your individual won/lost record. Depending on group ability levels, this is subject to change.
Sign up: Email Dan Lucas at [email protected]; put "US Open Tennis" in subject header. Give your name, cell phone, and ability level (beginner or USTA 4.0 for example). Currently, we plan to cap this at 8 participants. However, if we have more wanting to participate, we will attempt to reserve additional courts.
Prizes: We are currently seeking sponsorship for prizes. Stay tuned for more information!

Saturday August 4   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 1-3   Workshops & Committee Meetings  

Sat August 4   Awards Luncheon  

August 4-5   Delegates’ Meeting  

Full meeting schedule here


Other Championships

The 2018 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 2018 Dewain Barber Tournament of K-8 Champions
was founded in 2011 by Dewain Barber to provide a competition comparable to the Denker tournament for younger students.

The 2018 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 2018 National Senior Tournament of Champions
is a tournament of Champions for seniors from across the United States. This is the first year for this tournament, and the fourth tournament in the "Tournament of Champions" series.

Participant lists, schedules, and other information are posted at the committee 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 7/9, $35 after.
By mail, $27 postmarked by 7/9; $37 postmarked by 7/16 Do not mail after 7/16 - it will not be received!
By phone, $30 by 7/9, $40 after until 7/20 by 5 PM CDT.
Onsite, $40 until 7/29 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.



Looking for area information?

Here's a handy list of local attractions, restaurants and travel information!

PDF version here! Word version here!

Special thanks to Mike Nietman, President, Wisconsin Chess Association!


Click the logo to learn more about Middleton, Wisconsin!
Home to the 2013 and 2018 US Opens!