The 31st Annual Bradley Open will take place from July 24 to 26, 2026, at the Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, USA.
The classical tournament features five US Chess-rated sections and a guaranteed $15,000 prize fund. The Major and Under 2100 sections also count for FIDE rating. In addition, players can choose between a three-day schedule beginning on Friday evening and a two-day schedule beginning on Saturday morning.
The Bradley Open carries Heritage Event and US Chess Junior Grand Prix status. It also awards 120 Enhanced US Chess Grand Prix points.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | July 24–26, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Windsor Locks, Connecticut, USA |
| 🏛️ Venue | Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport |
| 👥 Organizer | Continental Chess Association |
| ♟️ Format | 5-round Swiss System |
| 📂 Sections | Major, Under 2100, Under 1800, Under 1500, Under 1200 |
| ⏱️ Main Time Control | 40 moves in 80 minutes, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second delay |
| ⏱️ Two-Day Early Rounds | Rounds 1–2 use G/60 with a 10-second delay |
| ⭐ Rating | All sections are US Chess-rated; Major and Under 2100 are also FIDE-rated |
| 🏅 Grand Prix | 120 Enhanced US Chess Grand Prix points |
| 💰 Prize Fund | $15,000 guaranteed |
| 💳 Entry Fee | From $118 for the top four sections; Under 1200 receives a reduced fee |
| 🏨 Hotel Rate | $169 per night, subject to availability |
| 🚗 Parking | $5 per day or $10 overnight |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a five-round Swiss System with two schedule options.
Three-Day Schedule
The three-day schedule uses 40/80, SD/30, d30. Each player receives 80 minutes for the first 40 moves. After move 40, the player receives another 30 minutes for the rest of the game. A 30-second delay applies throughout.
Two-Day Schedule
The two-day schedule begins on Saturday. Rounds 1 and 2 use G/60, d10, which gives each player 60 minutes for the game with a 10-second delay.
After the first two rounds, players join the common schedule for rounds 3–5.
Additional Playing Rules
| Rule | Information |
|---|---|
| System | 5-round Swiss System |
| Three-Day Time Control | 40/80, SD/30, d30 |
| Two-Day Rounds 1–2 | G/60, d10 |
| Byes | Up to two half-point byes |
| Bye Deadline | Players must commit before Round 2 |
| Re-Entry | $60 |
| Re-Entry Restriction | Major-to-Major re-entry is not permitted |
| Ratings Used | July official US Chess ratings |
| FIDE Rating | Major and Under 2100 sections |
🏆 Prize Fund
The tournament guarantees a total cash prize fund of $15,000.
Major Section
| Prize Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $2,000 |
| 2nd place | $1,000 |
| 3rd place | $600 |
| 4th place | $400 |
| Clear or tiebreak winner bonus | $100 |
| Top USCF Under 2300 | $600 |
| 2nd USCF Under 2300 | $300 |
Under 2100 Section
| Prize Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $1,000 |
| 2nd place | $500 |
| 3rd place | $300 |
| 4th place | $200 |
| Top Under 1900 or unrated | $400 |
| 2nd Under 1900 or unrated | $200 |
Under 1800 Section
| Prize Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $1,000 |
| 2nd place | $500 |
| 3rd place | $300 |
| 4th place | $200 |
| Top Under 1600 | $400 |
| 2nd Under 1600 | $200 |
Under 1500 Section
| Prize Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $800 |
| 2nd place | $450 |
| 3rd place | $300 |
| 4th place | $200 |
| Top Under 1300 | $300 |
| 2nd Under 1300 | $150 |
Under 1200 Section
| Prize Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $600 |
| 2nd place | $400 |
| 3rd place | $200 |
| 4th place | $100 |
| Top Under 1000 | $200 |
| 2nd Under 1000 | $100 |
Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st team | $500 |
| 2nd team | $300 |
| 3rd team | $200 |
A Mixed Doubles team must consist of one male player and one female player. The two players may compete in different sections or schedules, but their average rating must remain below 2200.
Teams must register at the tournament site by 2:00 PM on Saturday. Mixed Doubles registration does not require an additional fee.
Unrated Prize Limits
| Section | Maximum Prize for an Unrated Player |
|---|---|
| Under 1800 | $400 |
| Under 1500 | $200 |
| Under 1200 | $100 |
♟️ Sections / Groups
The tournament includes five sections.
| Section | Eligibility | Rating Status |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Players rated 1900 and above | US Chess and FIDE-rated |
| Under 2100 | Players rated below 2100 | US Chess and FIDE-rated |
| Under 1800 | Players rated below 1800 | US Chess-rated |
| Under 1500 | Players rated below 1500 | US Chess-rated |
| Under 1200 | Players rated below 1200 | US Chess-rated |
July official ratings determine section eligibility. An unofficial US Chess rating or US Chess Online Regular rating may apply when a player would otherwise be unrated.
A player may not enter a section more than 100 rating points below the player’s US Chess Online Regular rating.
Players who scored eight or more points in an Under 2200 or lower section at the 2026 World Open must enter a higher section than the one they played in at the World Open.
📅 Schedule
Three-Day Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, July 24 | 6:00 PM | Registration ends |
| Friday, July 24 | 7:00 PM | Round 1 |
| Saturday, July 25 | 11:00 AM | Round 2 |
| Saturday, July 25 | 5:00 PM | Round 3 |
| Sunday, July 26 | 10:00 AM | Round 4 |
| Sunday, July 26 | 3:30 PM | Round 5 |
Two-Day Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, July 25 | 10:00 AM | Registration ends |
| Saturday, July 25 | 11:00 AM | Round 1 |
| Saturday, July 25 | 2:00 PM | Round 2 |
| Saturday, July 25 | 5:00 PM | Round 3 |
| Sunday, July 26 | 10:00 AM | Round 4 |
| Sunday, July 26 | 3:30 PM | Round 5 |
Blitz Side Event
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, July 25 | 9:10 PM | On-site entry deadline |
| Saturday, July 25 | 9:30 PM | Blitz tournament |
📝 Registration
Online registration is available through the organizer’s registration system.
Players who register by July 21 receive the lower advance entry fee. Later online registrations and on-site entries cost more.
Entry Fees
| Registration Category | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Top four sections by July 21 | $118 |
| Top four sections after July 21 or on site | $130 |
| Under 1200 by July 21 | $108 |
| Under 1200 after July 21 or on site | $120 |
| Re-entry | $60 |
CSCA and WMCA members receive a $3 discount when they register online.
Registration Rules
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Advance Entry Deadline | July 21, 2026 |
| Three-Day On-Site Deadline | Friday at 6:00 PM |
| Two-Day On-Site Deadline | Saturday at 10:00 AM |
| Refund Service Charge | $15 |
| Mail Entries | Not accepted |
| On-Site Credit Cards | Accepted |
| On-Site Checks | Not accepted |
| US Chess Membership | Required |
| Equipment | Players should bring a set, board, and clock if possible |
A special one-year US Chess membership option is available when purchased online with the tournament entry.
👥 Organizer
Continental Chess Association organizes the 31st Annual Bradley Open.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Continental Chess Association |
| Address | PO Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803, USA |
| director@chess.us | |
| Website | https://www.chesstour.com/ |
📍 Venue
Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport – 1 Bradley Airport, Windsor Locks, CT 06096, USA.
The tournament takes place at the airport hotel in Windsor Locks. The venue is accessible and provides accommodation, meeting space, dining services, guest Wi-Fi, and on-site parking.
Accommodation
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Hotel | Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport |
| Chess Room Rate | $169 per night |
| Reservation Deadline | July 9, 2026 |
| Hotel Phone | +1 860 627 5311 |
| Day Parking | $5 |
| Overnight Parking | $10 |
The chess room rate remains subject to availability. The price may increase after July 9.
✈️ How to Get There
The hotel is located at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks.
Drivers can reach the venue from Interstate 91, Exit 40, and then continue toward the airport entrance. The hotel is visible near the airport access area.
Players arriving by air can use Bradley International Airport. Since the playing venue is located at the airport, travel between the terminal area and the hotel is straightforward.
Participants should allow enough time for parking, hotel check-in, and tournament registration before their selected schedule begins.
ℹ️ Other
Players should bring a chess set, board, and clock if possible. Tournament equipment is not supplied.
Prizes that are not collected at the tournament site are normally paid later through PayPal. Processing may take approximately three weeks.
All participants must follow the tournament rules, rating restrictions, section requirements, and Continental Chess Association policies.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $15,000
Organizer
♟️ Organizer Identity
Continental Chess Association is a national chess organizer in the United States. Bill Goichberg founded the business in 1964. From 1964 to 1967, it ran events only in the New York City area. In 1968, it expanded beyond that base and adopted the Continental Chess Association name. The official CCA history says the organizer has held more than 2,300 tournaments in 28 states, Washington, DC, and the Bahamas. It also says CCA has awarded more than $24,000,000 in prize money. CCA is not a membership organization, but it is affiliated with US Chess and requires US Chess membership for its tournaments. Over many years, it has been one of the most visible open-event organizers in American chess.
🏆 Tournament Activity
Tournament organization is the center of CCA’s public work. Its official platforms describe a coast-to-coast calendar for players of all ages, from beginners to grandmasters, with online registration and published pairings through ChessAction. The current and recent official schedule includes the Chicago Open, World Open, Continental Open, National Chess Congress, and North American Open. These events form a recognizable annual circuit in American open chess. The official event pages also show the scale of that calendar. In 2025, the World Open advertised $208,000 guaranteed in its top six sections, while the North American Open carried US Chess Grand Prix status. This activity reflects a long-running organizer that focuses on large multi-section Swiss events, established holiday-weekend festivals, and broad national reach.
🌍 Long-Term Impact
CCA’s longer history is unusually important in American chess. Its official history credits the organizer with several early developments that later became standard. In 1966, it became the first organizer to hold USCF-rated scholastic tournaments and elementary school tournaments. It later originated the National High School Championship in 1969, the National Junior High School Championship in 1973, the National Elementary School Championship in 1976, and the National Scholastic K-12 Grade Championship in 1991. The same history also credits CCA with pioneering Swiss international events and norm opportunities in the United States. CCA says that from 1977 to 1993, about half of all Americans who achieved the IM or GM title made one or more norms in a CCA international event. The organizer also launched the World Open in 1973, and its history states that the 1986 World Open drew 1,506 players, a world record for open tournaments that still stands.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
