Continental Chess Association

15th Annual Hartford Open

33 33 people viewed this event.

15th Annual Hartford Open takes place from June 5-7, 2026 in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, USA. This is a chess tournament in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, in 2026. The event features a 5-round Swiss format, five sections, a 3-day and 2-day schedule option, and a guaranteed cash prize fund. In addition, the top two sections are FIDE rated, while all sections are US Chess rated.

Moreover, 15th Annual Hartford Open gives players a strong weekend over-the-board option near Bradley International Airport. Because the event combines multiple rating sections with flexible scheduling, it can appeal both to experienced competitors and to ambitious club players. Furthermore, the Windsor Locks hotel venue and free parking make this chess tournament in Connecticut especially practical for local players and visitors.

🗓️ Event Details

Item Details
📅 Dates June 5-7, 2026
📍 Location Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport, 1 Bradley Airport, Windsor Locks, CT 06096, USA
♟️ Format 5-round Swiss
⭐ Rating Major and Under 2100 sections are FIDE rated; all sections are US Chess rated
📂 Sections 5
⏱️ Time control 40/80, SD/30 with 30-second increment; 2-day option Rounds 1-2 at G/60 d10
💳 Entry fee Top 4 sections: USD 93 online in advance; Under 1200: USD 25 in advance
💰 Prize fund USD 10,000 (approx.)
👥 Capacity 200
🧩 Organizer notes US Chess Grand Prix Points: 60 enhanced; two half-point byes allowed with advance commitment

🏆 Prize Fund

The guaranteed total cash prize fund is USD 10,000. In addition, the event awards cash prizes across all five sections.

Major

Prize Amount
1st Place USD 1,200
2nd Place USD 600
3rd Place USD 300
Top U2300 USD 400
Top U2300 2nd USD 200

Under-2100

Prize Amount
1st Place USD 900
2nd Place USD 500
3rd Place USD 300
Top U1900/Unrated USD 400
Top U1900/Unrated 2nd USD 200

Under-1800

Prize Amount
1st Place USD 800
2nd Place USD 500
3rd Place USD 300
Top U1600 USD 300
Top U1600 2nd USD 150

Under-1500

Prize Amount
1st Place USD 700
2nd Place USD 400
3rd Place USD 250
Top U1300 USD 300
Top U1300 2nd USD 150

Under-1200

Prize Amount
1st Place USD 400
2nd Place USD 200
3rd Place USD 100

Unrated prize limits apply in some sections. The limit is USD 100 in Under 1200, USD 200 in Under 1500, and USD 300 in Under 1800. In addition, any remaining balance from a limited unrated prize goes to the next eligible player.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament uses a 5-round Swiss structure. First, the main 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, the event offers a serious classical weekend format rather than a rapid or blitz structure.

Meanwhile, the 2-day option compresses the opening part of the tournament. In that schedule, Rounds 1 and 2 use G/60 with a 10-second delay before the event merges into the standard schedule. Additionally, players may take up to two half-point byes, provided they commit in advance.

📂 Sections / Groups

Section Rating / target group Notes
Major Open to higher-rated players FIDE rated
Under 2100 Players under 2100 FIDE rated
Under 1800 Players under 1800 Standard class section
Under 1500 Players under 1500 Standard class section
Under 1200 Players under 1200 Entry-fee-reduced section

📅 Schedule

Date Weekday Time Round / Activity
June 5, 2026 Friday 6:00 PM Registration ends for 3-day schedule
June 5, 2026 Friday 7:00 PM Round 1 for 3-day schedule
June 6, 2026 Saturday 10:00 AM Registration ends for 2-day schedule
June 6, 2026 Saturday 11:00 AM Round 2 for 3-day schedule
June 6, 2026 Saturday 11:00 AM Round 1 for 2-day schedule
June 6, 2026 Saturday 2:00 PM Round 2 for 2-day schedule
June 6, 2026 Saturday 5:00 PM Round 3
June 7, 2026 Sunday 10:00 AM Round 4
June 7, 2026 Sunday 3:15 PM Round 5

📝 Registration

Item Details
How to register Online registration
Entry fee Top 4 sections: USD 93 online in advance; Under 1200: USD 25 in advance
Membership requirement US Chess membership required
Check-in rules 3-day registration ends Friday at 6:00 PM; 2-day registration ends Saturday at 10:00 AM
Capacity rules Limited to 200 players
Payment method Advance online entry
Organizer notes Two half-point byes permitted with advance commitment

👥 Organizer

Continental Chess Association organizes 15th Annual Hartford Open as part of its long-running calendar of major weekend tournaments across the United States. In addition, the organizer is well known for multi-section open events that combine strong prize funds with practical schedules and hotel venues. Because of that experience, players can expect a structured event with clear section rules and established tournament administration.

🏨 Venue

Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport, 1 Bradley Airport, Windsor Locks, CT 06096, USA

The playing site sits at Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, which gives the tournament a convenient travel location for weekend players. In addition, the hotel venue keeps tournament play and lodging close together. Free parking also makes arrival easier for players driving to the event.

🛎️ Accommodation

Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport, 1 Bradley Airport, Windsor Locks, CT 06096, USA

The organizer uses the Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport as the official tournament hotel. In addition, players can stay on site, which helps simplify logistics between rounds and reduces local travel during the weekend.

🚗 How to Get There

The venue is visible at the airport entrance and can be reached from I-91 via Exit 40 to Route 20. Therefore, players arriving by car can reach the hotel directly through a straightforward highway approach.

Meanwhile, the airport location also benefits out-of-town participants. Because the hotel is next to Bradley International Airport, players flying in can keep local travel to a minimum. As a result, this chess event in Windsor Locks works well for both regional players and visiting competitors.

If you want a well-established Connecticut weekend open with multiple sections, flexible scheduling, and a solid guaranteed prize fund, 15th Annual Hartford Open offers a strong competitive option near Bradley Airport.

 

Date And Time

05-06-2026 to
07-06-2026
 

Event Types

 

Event Category

 

Event Tags

 
Download Events iCal
Add to Calendar

Share With Friends

Scroll to Top