94th Massachusetts Open takes place from May 23-25, 2026 in Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA. This is a chess tournament in Marlborough, Massachusetts, in 2026. The event features a 6-round Swiss format, five main sections, a FIDE rated Championship section, and a guaranteed cash prize fund. In addition, players can choose either a full 3-day schedule or a faster 2-day schedule in the under sections, which adds flexibility for Memorial Day weekend competitors.
Furthermore, 94th Massachusetts Open stands out as one of the traditional state-level chess events in Massachusetts. Because the tournament includes the state championship title for the top-scoring Massachusetts resident or student in the Championship section, it carries added prestige beyond the prize list. Meanwhile, the Marlborough hotel venue, multiple section options, and side events make this over-the-board chess tournament in Marlborough attractive for both serious competitors and improving club players.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | May 23-25, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, 181 Boston Post Rd, Marlborough, MA 01752, USA |
| ♟️ Format | 6-round Swiss |
| ⭐ Rating | Championship section FIDE and US Chess rated; other main sections US Chess rated |
| 📂 Sections | 5 |
| ⏱️ Time control | 3-day schedule: 40/120, SD/30 with 10-second delay; 2-day schedule in under sections: G/40 with 10-second delay in Rounds 1-3 |
| 💳 Entry fee | USD 90 for 3-day sections, USD 89 for 2-day sections if mailed by May 18 or entered online by May 20; USD 110 online by May 21 or at site |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 7,500 (approx.) |
| 👤 Eligibility | MACA membership required for Massachusetts residents |
| 👥 Capacity | 280 |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | No 2-day schedule in the Championship section; GMs and IMs enter free; U1200 players receive a USD 30 discount |
🏆 Prize Fund
The guaranteed total cash prize fund is USD 7,500. In addition, each section has its own prize structure, and the Championship section also includes a special Under 2300 prize.
Championship
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | USD 1,000 |
| 2nd Place | USD 500 |
| U2300 | USD 500 |
Under-2100
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | USD 800 |
| 2nd Place | USD 400 |
| U1900 | USD 400 |
Under-1800
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | USD 800 |
| 2nd Place | USD 400 |
| U1600 | USD 400 |
Under-1500
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | USD 700 |
| 2nd Place | USD 350 |
| U1300 | USD 350 |
Under-1200
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | USD 400 |
| 2nd Place | USD 250 |
| U1000 | USD 250 |
Unrated players may enter the Under 2100 section or below. However, prize limits apply: USD 400 in Under 2100, USD 300 in Under 1800, USD 200 in Under 1500, and USD 100 in Under 1200.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The main tournament uses a 6-round Swiss system. First, the 3-day schedule follows a classical format of 40 moves in 120 minutes, then sudden death in 30 minutes, with a 10-second delay. Therefore, players in the full schedule get a long-play weekend structure with ample thinking time.
Meanwhile, the 2-day schedule is available in the under sections only. In those sections, Rounds 1 through 3 use G/40 with a 10-second delay before the schedules merge in round four. In addition, the Championship section is FIDE rated and runs on the 3-day schedule only. Players may also take up to two byes, although they must commit before round three. The Championship allows byes in rounds 1-5, while the other sections allow byes in rounds 1-6.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Championship | Higher-rated players | FIDE rated; 3-day schedule only |
| Under 2100 | Players under 2100 | 3-day and 2-day options |
| Under 1800 | Players under 1800 | 3-day and 2-day options |
| Under 1500 | Players under 1500 | 3-day and 2-day options |
| Under 1200 | Players under 1200 | 3-day and 2-day options; discounted entry |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | 8:30 AM-9:30 AM | Registration for 3-day schedule |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | 10:30 AM | Round 1 for 3-day schedule |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | 5:00 PM | Round 2 for 3-day schedule |
| May 24, 2026 | Sunday | 8:30 AM-9:30 AM | Registration for 2-day schedule |
| May 24, 2026 | Sunday | 10:30 AM | Round 3 for 3-day schedule |
| May 24, 2026 | Sunday | 10:30 AM | Round 1 for 2-day schedule |
| May 24, 2026 | Sunday | 1:00 PM | Round 2 for 2-day schedule |
| May 24, 2026 | Sunday | 3:00 PM | Round 3 for 2-day schedule |
| May 24, 2026 | Sunday | 5:00 PM | Round 4 for merged schedules |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | 10:00 AM | Round 5 |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | 4:00 PM | Round 6 |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Online entry or mail entry |
| Entry fee | USD 90 for 3-day sections, USD 89 for 2-day sections by early deadline; USD 110 late or at site |
| Deadlines | Mail entry by May 18; online entry by May 20 for early rates; online registration deadline May 21 |
| Payment method | Online payment or mailed entry payable to MACA |
| Membership requirement | MACA membership required for Massachusetts residents; US Chess membership must remain valid through the event |
| Check-in rules | 3-day registration Saturday 8:30 AM-9:30 AM; 2-day registration Sunday 8:30 AM-9:30 AM |
| Capacity rules | Limited to 280 players |
👥 Organizer
Massachusetts Chess Association organizes 94th Massachusetts Open as one of its key annual events in Massachusetts. In addition, the association regularly supports state championship competition, weekend opens, and broader organized chess activity across the state. Because of that experience, players can expect an established event structure with clear section rules and practical tournament administration.
-
Address: 181 Boston Post Rd, Marlborough, MA 01752, USA
-
Email: info@masschess.org
-
Phone: +1 603 891 2484
-
Website: https://www.masschess.org/
🏨 Venue
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, 181 Boston Post Rd, Marlborough, MA 01752, USA
The tournament takes place at a full-service hotel venue in Marlborough, which can make the weekend easier for both local and visiting players. In addition, the hotel setting allows participants to combine lodging and tournament play in one location. That setup can simplify round preparation, breaks, and overnight logistics across Memorial Day weekend.
🛎️ Accommodation
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, 181 Boston Post Rd, Marlborough, MA 01752, USA
The organizer provides an official hotel booking option for tournament participants. Because the event is held at the hotel itself, staying on site can make the weekend much more convenient for players who want easy access between rounds.
🚗 How to Get There
Players arriving by car can reach the venue directly via Boston Post Road in Marlborough. In addition, the hotel setting makes parking and event access more practical than a city-center venue for many weekend travelers.
Meanwhile, out-of-town players can keep the trip simple by staying at the playing site. As a result, the event can work well for both Massachusetts competitors and visitors who want a convenient Memorial Day weekend chess tournament.
If you want a long-running state open with multiple sections, flexible schedule options, and a solid guaranteed prize fund, 94th Massachusetts Open offers a strong competitive weekend in Marlborough.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $7,500
Organizer
Massachusetts Chess Association is the official statewide chess association for Massachusetts and a long-established tournament organizer within US chess. The organization promotes competitive play, scholastic development, and community engagement across the state. Moreover, it serves as a central platform for clubs, players, coaches, and event directors. As a result, Mass Chess remains one of the most visible and active regional chess bodies in New England.
The association runs and supports a broad calendar of open chess tournaments, scholastic championships, and major state events throughout the year. In addition, it is closely connected with flagship competitions such as the Massachusetts Open, the Massachusetts Senior Open, Spiegel Cup qualifiers, girls championships, and other important rated events. Its activity spans classical chess, rapid chess, and blitz chess, while also supporting clubs, coaches, and organized competition at many levels. Therefore, Mass Chess stands out as a major chess organizer for both adult and youth players.
Beyond tournament administration, the association plays a broader role in strengthening the state’s chess community through communication, outreach, and long-term development. It publishes news, maintains tournament listings, supports scholastic chess, and helps preserve a strong competitive structure across Massachusetts. Furthermore, its board-led model and sustained public activity reflect a serious commitment to organized chess growth. Consequently, the Massachusetts Chess Association remains an important force in chess development, statewide competition, and community-building in American chess.
