46th Annual Lina Grumette Memorial Day Classic takes place from May 23-25, 2026 in Los Angeles, California, USA. This is a chess tournament in Los Angeles, California, in 2026. The event features a 6-round Swiss format, six sections, a FIDE rated Open section, and a large cash prize fund based on entries. In addition, players can choose either a full 3-day schedule or a faster 2-day schedule that merges into the main event.

Moreover, 46th Annual Lina Grumette Memorial Day Classic remains one of the established holiday weekend chess events in Southern California. Because the tournament offers a wide range of rating sections, it can suit strong open players, class competitors, and ambitious club players alike. Furthermore, the Los Angeles airport location adds practical value for visitors, while the Memorial Day weekend format makes this over-the-board chess tournament in Los Angeles especially attractive for players who want a serious multi-day competition.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

The listed total cash prize fund is USD 20,000 based on entries. In addition, each section has its own prize structure, and the Open section also includes Under 2250 awards.

Open

Under-2000

Under-1800

Under-1600

Under-1400

Under-1200

Unrated players may enter any section. However, prize limits apply: USD 100 in U1200, USD 200 in U1400, USD 300 in U1600, USD 300 in U1800, and USD 400 in U2000. Moreover, provisionally rated players are limited to 50% of the prize amount except in the Open section.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament uses a 6-round Swiss structure. First, the 3-day schedule follows a classical format of 40 moves in 80 minutes, then sudden death in 30 minutes, with a 30-second increment. Therefore, players in the full schedule get a traditional long time control across the holiday weekend.

Meanwhile, the 2-day schedule uses G/45 with a 10-second delay for the first three rounds before merging into the main event. As a result, players who need a shorter route can still join the same tournament structure. In addition, the Open section is FIDE rated, which makes it especially relevant for players seeking international rating activity.

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

👥 Organizer

Southern California Chess Federation organizes 46th Annual Lina Grumette Memorial Day Classic as part of its long-running tournament calendar in Southern California. In addition, the federation is well known for major open events, state-level competition, and long-standing weekend tournaments. Because of that experience, players can expect a structured event with broad section coverage and established tournament procedures.

• Email: randallhough@gmail.com

• Website: https://www.scchess.com/

🏨 Venue

Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX Hotel, 5985 W. Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA

The playing site is an airport-area hotel in Los Angeles, which can make travel easier for out-of-town players. In addition, the venue gives participants a full hotel setting for the weekend, so lodging and tournament play can stay in one place. The location near LAX also makes the event practical for players flying in for Memorial Day weekend.

🛎️ Accommodation

Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX Hotel, 5985 W. Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA

The organizer lists an official chess rate of USD 149 per night. In addition, the hotel offers an airport shuttle and on-site lodging, which can simplify weekend logistics for visiting players.

🚗 How to Get There

The venue is near Los Angeles International Airport, so players arriving by plane can reach the hotel quickly after landing. In addition, the hotel’s airport setting makes rideshare, taxi, and shuttle access especially convenient for travelers.

Meanwhile, players coming by car can use hotel parking. Because the tournament takes place over a busy holiday weekend, arriving early can make registration, parking, and round preparation much smoother.

If you want a major Memorial Day weekend chess tournament in Los Angeles with multiple sections, a deep prize structure, and convenient airport access, 46th Annual Lina Grumette Memorial Day Classic offers a strong and practical choice.