The Evanston 3×3 November will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Levy Senior Center in Evanston, Illinois. Organized by Evanston Chess Club, the one-day tournament features three US Chess-rated games in Gold, Silver, and Bronze sections.
All three rounds use a G/60, d5 time control. Each player receives 60 minutes for the game with a five-second delay on every move. The tournament is US Chess Dual Rated, so eligible games affect both Regular and Quick ratings.
Evanston Chess follows a different philosophy from many prize-focused tournaments. There is no cash prize fund. Instead, the club keeps the entry fee at just $20 and focuses on providing a competitive but relaxed tournament experience.
♟️ Event Details
The tournament features three rating-based sections and is open to adult players as well as eligible juniors. Section placement is based strictly on the November 2026 US Chess Current Published Regular Rating.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| 🏷️ Title | Evanston 3×3 November |
| 📅 Date | November 7, 2026 |
| 🌎 Country | United States |
| 📍 City | Evanston, Illinois |
| 🏛️ Venue | Levy Senior Center |
| 👥 Organizer | Evanston Chess Club |
| 👤 Tournament Director | Maret Thorpe |
| ♟️ Format | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Rounds | 3 |
| 🧩 Sections | Gold, Silver, Bronze |
| ⏱️ Time Control | G/60, d5 |
| ⭐ Rating | US Chess Dual Rated |
| 💳 Entry Fee | $20 |
| 👥 Published Player Limit | 50 |
| ♿ Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible |
| 🌐 Event Type | Over-the-board |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
All sections play three rounds at G/60, d5. The five-second delay begins with every move, so players should use a digital chess clock capable of delay timing.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| ♟️ Pairing System | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Rounds | 3 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | G/60, d5 |
| ⌛ Delay | 5 seconds per move |
| ⭐ US Chess Rating | Dual Rated |
| 📊 Section Rating Used | November Current Published Regular Rating |
The tournament director may combine sections when necessary. Pairing adjustments may also be made at the tournament director’s discretion.
Players may request one half-point bye, but it is available only in Round 1 or Round 2.
🏆 Prize Fund
Evanston Chess does not offer cash prizes at this tournament. The club deliberately emphasizes affordable entry fees, competitive games, and a friendly tournament environment rather than prize money.
| Prize Information | Details |
|---|---|
| 💰 Cash Prize Fund | None |
| 🏆 Tournament Focus | Competitive rated chess at a low entry cost |
Evanston Chess has followed this tournament philosophy for many years, with its rated events focused primarily on playing experience rather than monetary awards.
🧩 Sections / Groups
Three sections are used to group players of similar strength. The organizer applies the current published US Chess Regular rating for November 2026 and does not make exceptions based on a player’s more recent unofficial rating.
| Section | Rating Requirement |
|---|---|
| 🥇 Gold | 1700+ |
| 🥈 Silver | 1200–1699 |
| 🥉 Bronze | Under 1200 and unrated |
Limited play-up opportunities are available:
| Current Published Rating | Play-Up Option |
|---|---|
| 1600–1699 | May play in Gold |
| 1100–1199 | May play in Silver |
Sections may be combined at the tournament director’s discretion depending on the final field.
🗓️ Schedule
Check-in and any available onsite registration take place during the morning. The first round begins at 9:50 AM, while the tournament is expected to finish at approximately 5:00 PM.
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| 📝 Check-In / On-Site Registration | 9:00–9:30 AM |
| ⏰ Check-In Deadline | 9:30 AM |
| ♟️ Round 1 | 9:50 AM |
| 🍽️ Lunch Break | Brief break between rounds |
| 🏁 Approximate Finish | Around 5:00 PM |
Players who have not checked in by 9:30 AM may receive a half-point bye for Round 1 or may be paired with another late arrival.
Pre-registered players who fail to arrive by the end of Round 1 may be withdrawn from the tournament.
📝 Registration
The standard entry fee is $20. Advance registration is strongly recommended because the event regularly approaches its capacity.
| Registration Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 💳 Entry Fee | $20 |
| 📅 Online Registration Opens | October 1, 2026 |
| 👥 Published Tournament Limit | 50 players |
| 🪪 US Chess Membership | Required |
| 🚶 On-Site Entry | $20 cash, space permitting |
| 🕘 On-Site Registration | From 9:00 AM |
Online registration closes when the tournament is full. The organizer does not maintain a waiting list. However, online registration may reopen if previously registered players withdraw and spaces become available.
Players should check the Evanston Chess website on the morning of the tournament before relying on onsite registration.
Master and Expert Entries
The first two Masters or Experts to register are eligible for free entry.
Players with a US Chess or FIDE Regular rating of 2000 or higher should email their name and US Chess ID to the organizer by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 to request the complimentary entry.
A separate Guest Master is also invited by the organizer and receives free entry plus an honorarium. The guest master for this edition is still listed as TBA.
Official registration and tournament information:
https://evanstonchess.org/index.php/events2/uscf-rated-tournaments
👥 Organizer
Evanston Chess Club has organized rated tournaments in Evanston since 2007. Its events emphasize affordable participation and a friendly competitive atmosphere for players ranging from developing club players to masters.
| Contact | |
|---|---|
| 👥 Organizer Name | Evanston Chess Club |
| 👤 Contact Person | Maret Thorpe |
| ✉️ Email | enter@evanstonchess.org |
Maret Thorpe is a founder of Evanston Chess and serves as a player and tournament director.
📍 Venue
The tournament is played at the Levy Senior Center, a City of Evanston community facility located in the southeast corner of James Park.
Levy Senior Center – 300 Dodge Ave, Evanston, IL 60202, United States
The building is wheelchair accessible.
🚆 How to Get There
The Levy Senior Center is located on Dodge Avenue in Evanston. Public transportation provides direct access to the venue, while players arriving by car or rideshare can use the full street address.
| Transport | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚌 CTA Route 97 | Stops directly in front of the Levy Senior Center |
| 🚌 CTA Route 93 | Stops directly in front of the Levy Senior Center |
| 🚗 Car / Rideshare | Use 300 Dodge Ave, Evanston, IL 60202 |
| ♿ Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible |
CTA Route 97 operates between Westfield Old Orchard and Howard Street, while Route 93 connects the Dodge/Emerson area with Howard Street.
Players should arrive early enough to complete check-in before the 9:30 AM deadline.
ℹ️ Other Information
The tournament is open to players who meet at least one of the organizer’s eligibility conditions:
- Players age 14 or older may participate regardless of rating.
- Players under age 14 must have a November US Chess Current Published Regular Rating of 900 or higher.
Junior players under 14 who qualify must be accompanied by an adult throughout the event. Juniors under 14 rated below 900 are not accepted.
A valid US Chess membership is required. Membership in the regular Levy Center chess club is not required.
The organizer provides chess sets, but players should bring a digital clock capable of five-second delay.
Players should also bring lunch. The tournament includes only a short lunch break, so there may not be enough time to leave the venue for food. Vending-machine snacks, coffee, and soft drinks are available onsite.
Smoking is not permitted at the venue.
Official tournament page:
https://evanstonchess.org/index.php/events2/uscf-rated-tournaments
Evanston Chess Club:
https://evanstonchess.org/
Illinois Chess Association listing:
https://www.il-chess-org.il-chess.com/all-events/event/4058-evanston-3×3
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - USD 0 – playing-experience event
Organizer
♟️ About Evanston Chess Club
Evanston Chess Club is a community chess organization based in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Founded in 2007 by Maret Thorpe and Tom Sprandel, the club provides both casual chess and organized US Chess-rated competition. Its long-term home is the Levy Activity Center at 300 Dodge Avenue. Today, the weekly club also operates as an official City of Evanston program, while volunteers continue to manage its chess activities.
The club focuses on friendly, accessible chess rather than large prize funds. Weekly meetings welcome adult players from beginners through masters for slow games, blitz, analysis, and informal competition. Separately, Evanston Chess organizes regular US Chess-rated Saturday tournaments throughout the year. These events use modest entry fees, several rating sections, and a relaxed tournament environment.
Maret Thorpe is the club’s co-founder, principal organizer, and Tournament Director. She is a US Chess National Tournament Director and FIDE National Arbiter with experience at local, state, and national championships. In 2026, Evanston Chess continued its established rated-tournament program with 3×3 and Tri-Level competitions. Its next major event is the Evanston 3×3 November, scheduled for November 7, 2026.
📜 History and Development
Evanston Chess Club began in January 2007 when Maret Thorpe and Tom Sprandel created a community chess program at the Levy Activity Center.
For many years, the club offered free weekly adult chess alongside its rated tournament program. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the original meeting schedule in March 2020. However, the organization later rebuilt its regular in-person activity.
The club eventually became part of the City of Evanston recreation program. This arrangement gives players a stable weekly meeting place while preserving the volunteer-led character of Evanston Chess.
Tom Sprandel remains recognized by the club as Founder and Tournament Director Emeritus. Meanwhile, Maret Thorpe continues to lead tournament organization and the wider club program.
🤝 Weekly Community Chess
Evanston Chess meets every Wednesday from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the Levy Activity Center.
The program is open to adults aged 18 and over. Players range from beginners to experienced tournament competitors and masters. Chess sets are supplied, while players may bring their own clocks.
The club deliberately keeps the atmosphere informal. Participants can choose longer games, faster chess, or analysis with other members.
In addition, the third Wednesday of each month normally includes an optional round-robin Blitz tournament. These events emphasize participation and enjoyment rather than serious prizes.
Because the weekly club is now a City of Evanston program, players join through the Levy Center. However, Evanston Chess volunteers continue to run the chess activity itself.
🏆 US Chess-Rated Tournaments
Rated tournaments form a separate part of the club’s program. Evanston Chess currently organizes US Chess-rated events approximately every other month.
The club’s recurring formats include the Evanston 3×3 and Evanston Tri-Level. Both divide players into Gold, Silver, and Bronze groups according to their published US Chess ratings.
The tournaments are designed to provide serious rated games without the cost and pressure of a major prize-money event. Therefore, entry fees remain relatively low, while the club focuses on playing conditions and competitive balance.
Masters and experts are also encouraged to participate. The club regularly offers a limited number of complimentary entries and honoraria to qualifying guest masters.
⚡ Tournament Activity in 2026
Evanston Chess maintained an active tournament calendar throughout 2026.
The Evanston 3×3 on March 21 used three rounds at G/60 with a five-second delay. The tournament drew 44 registered players before the event.
Another 3×3 followed on July 11, using the same general three-round structure.
On September 12, the club organized the Evanston Tri-Level, a four-round US Chess Dual-Rated tournament at G/40 with a five-second delay. Once again, players competed in Gold, Silver, and Bronze rating groups.
These events continue the club’s long-standing model: affordable entry, limited field sizes, clearly defined sections, and a full day of rated chess.
🌟 Evanston 3×3 November 2026
The Evanston 3×3 November is scheduled for November 7, 2026 at the Levy Activity Center.
The tournament consists of three Swiss-system rounds at G/60 with a five-second delay. It is US Chess Dual Rated.
The field is divided into three sections. Gold is primarily for players rated 1700 and above. Silver covers the 1200–1699 range, while Bronze is for players under 1200 and unrated competitors.
Junior players under 14 may participate if their current published US Chess rating is at least 900. The event has a capacity of approximately 50 players.
US Chess lists Maret Thorpe as the organizer. Evanston Chess manages registration and tournament communication directly through its official website.
🏛️ Organization and Leadership
Maret Thorpe has served as organizer and Tournament Director of Evanston Chess since its foundation in 2007.
Beyond the club, she has worked at major events including the Illinois Open Championship, Illinois Class Championship, U.S. Amateur Team North, U.S. Open Championship, National K–6 Championship, and US Chess SuperNationals.
Her credentials include US Chess National Tournament Director and FIDE National Arbiter.
The club also relies on volunteers for weekly operations. This community structure has allowed Evanston Chess to maintain both casual play and rated tournaments for nearly two decades.
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