The 15th Annual Boston Chess Congress will take place from January 8–10, 2027, at the Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor in Boston, Massachusetts. Organized by Continental Chess Association, the tournament features five rounds, six rating-based sections, flexible three-day and two-day schedules, and a $12,000 guaranteed prize fund.
The Premier and Under 2100 sections are FIDE rated, while all six sections are US Chess rated. The regular tournament schedule uses the classical 40/80, SD/30; d30 time control. Players choosing the two-day option play two accelerated G/60, d10 rounds on Saturday before joining the main schedule for Round 3.
The Boston Chess Congress also awards 80 Enhanced US Chess Grand Prix points. In addition to the six section prize structures, players may compete for $1,400 in Mixed Doubles bonus prizes. The waterfront venue is located beside Boston Logan International Airport and provides complimentary airport shuttle transportation.
♟️ Event Details
The tournament is a five-round Swiss with sections ranging from Premier through Under 1200. January 2027 official US Chess ratings determine normal section placement, subject to Continental Chess rating rules.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| 🏷️ Title | 15th Annual Boston Chess Congress |
| 📅 Dates | January 8–10, 2027 |
| 🌎 Country | United States |
| 📍 City | Boston, Massachusetts |
| 🏨 Venue | Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor |
| 👥 Organizer | Continental Chess Association |
| ♟️ Format | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 |
| 🧩 Sections | Premier, U2100, U1900, U1700, U1500, U1200 |
| 🗓️ Schedules | 3-Day and 2-Day |
| ⏱️ Main Time Control | 40/80, SD/30; d30 |
| ⭐ FIDE Rated | Premier and U2100 |
| 🇺🇸 US Chess Rated | All sections |
| 🏆 Grand Prix | 80 Enhanced US Chess Grand Prix Points |
| 💰 Prize Fund | $12,000 guaranteed |
| ♿ Accessibility | Handicap accessible |
| 🏠 Residency Restriction | None |
| 🌐 Event Type | Over-the-board |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Players on the three-day schedule use the full classical control for every round. The two-day schedule begins with two shorter games before merging with the main tournament.
| Schedule / Rounds | Time Control |
|---|---|
| 3-Day – All Rounds | 40/80, SD/30; d30 |
| 2-Day – Rounds 1–2 | G/60; d10 |
| 2-Day – Rounds 3–5 | 40/80, SD/30; d30 |
At 40/80, SD/30; d30, each player receives 80 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 additional minutes for the remainder of the game, with a 30-second delay from move one.
The two schedules merge for Round 3 at 5:00 PM on Saturday.
January 2027 official US Chess ratings are used. Applicable unofficial US Chess or US Chess Online Regular ratings may also be used when a player would otherwise be unrated.
Players cannot compete in a section below their US Chess Online Regular rating minus 100 points.
Continental Chess may also apply its published FIDE, foreign, peak-rating, and minimum-rating rules when determining section eligibility.
🏆 Prize Fund
The tournament offers a $12,000 guaranteed prize fund. This total includes all six sections plus $1,400 in Mixed Doubles awards.
Premier
The Premier section is open to players rated 2000 or higher and is both US Chess and FIDE rated.
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $1,200 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $600 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | $400 |
| 🏆 Clear / Tiebreak 1st Bonus | $100 |
| 🎯 Top USCF U2300 – 1st | $500 |
| 🎯 Top USCF U2300 – 2nd | $250 |
| Section Total |
Under 2100
The U2100 section is also FIDE rated and awards three overall prizes.
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $1,000 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $500 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | $300 |
| Section Total |
Under 1900
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $1,000 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $500 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | $300 |
| Section Total |
Under 1700
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $900 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $500 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | $300 |
| Section Total |
Under 1500
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $800 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $400 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | $300 |
| Section Total |
Under 1200
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $400 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $200 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | $150 |
| Section Total |
Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes
Players from any section may form a two-player male + female Mixed Doubles team. Team members may compete in different sections and may choose different playing schedules.
| Place | Team Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Team | $800 |
| 🥈 2nd Team | $400 |
| 🥉 3rd Team | $200 |
| Total Mixed Doubles Prizes |
The team’s average rating must be under 2200. There is no additional entry fee.
Mixed Doubles teams must register onsite by 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 9.
Unrated Prize Limits
Prize limits apply to unrated players in the lower sections.
| Section | Maximum Prize for Unrated Player |
|---|---|
| Under 1700 | $300 |
| Under 1500 | $200 |
| Under 1200 | $100 |
🧩 Sections / Groups
Six sections provide competition for players across a broad range of ratings. Only Premier and Under 2100 are submitted for FIDE rating.
| Section | Eligibility / Details |
|---|---|
| Premier | 2000+; FIDE rated |
| Under 2100 | Under 2100; FIDE rated |
| Under 1900 | Under 1900 |
| Under 1700 | Under 1700 |
| Under 1500 | Under 1500 |
| Under 1200 | Under 1200 |
Players seeking to enter Premier may qualify under Continental Chess’s published peak-rating provisions.
Continental Chess may also use applicable higher FIDE, foreign, unofficial US Chess, or US Chess Online Regular ratings when determining eligibility.
🗓️ Schedule
Players can choose between a three-day schedule beginning Friday evening and a two-day schedule beginning Saturday morning. Both groups merge for Round 3.
3-Day Schedule
The regular schedule begins Friday evening and uses the full classical time control throughout all five rounds.
| Date | Stage | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, January 8 | Registration Deadline | 6:00 PM |
| Friday, January 8 | Round 1 | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, January 9 | Round 2 | 11:00 AM |
| Saturday, January 9 | Round 3 | 5:00 PM |
| Sunday, January 10 | Round 4 | 10:00 AM |
| Sunday, January 10 | Round 5 | 3:30 PM |
2-Day Schedule
The compressed schedule begins Saturday with two G/60, d10 games before joining the three-day field.
| Date | Stage | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, January 9 | Registration Deadline | 10:00 AM |
| Saturday, January 9 | Round 1 | 11:00 AM |
| Saturday, January 9 | Round 2 | 2:00 PM |
| Saturday, January 9 | Round 3 | 5:00 PM |
| Sunday, January 10 | Round 4 | 10:00 AM |
| Sunday, January 10 | Round 5 | 3:30 PM |
A separate Blitz tournament is scheduled for Saturday at 9:30 PM. Registration for Blitz is onsite and closes at approximately 9:10 PM.
📝 Registration
The top five sections share the standard entry fee. The Under 1200 section receives a $20 discount.
Premier, U2100, U1900, U1700 & U1500
| Registration Period | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Online by January 5, 2027 | $88 |
| After January 5 / At Site | $100 |
Under 1200
| Registration Period | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Online by January 5, 2027 | $68 |
| After January 5 / At Site | $80 |
Members of the Massachusetts Chess Association (MACA) receive an additional $5 discount on online entry.
Grandmasters receive free entry, with $80 deducted from any prize won.
Late registration remains available until one hour before the player’s first round.
Re-entry costs $50. However, Premier-to-Premier re-entry is not permitted.
Credit cards are accepted onsite, but checks are not accepted.
No mail entries are accepted.
Refunds are subject to a $15 service charge.
Official registration:
https://chessaction.com/CCA
👥 Organizer
The tournament is organized by Continental Chess Association, which runs major open tournaments throughout the United States.
| Contact | |
|---|---|
| 👥 Organizer Name | Continental Chess Association |
| ✉️ Email | Director@Chess.US |
📍 Venue
The tournament takes place at the Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor, a waterfront hotel located beside Boston Logan International Airport.
Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor – 101 Harborside Drive, Boston, MA 02128, United States
The official chess room rates are:
| Occupancy | Chess Rate |
|---|---|
| Single | $139 per night |
| Double | $139 per night |
| Triple | $164 per night |
| Quad | $189 per night |
Players should reserve by December 18, 2026. After that date, the chess rate may increase or rooms at the tournament rate may no longer be available.
Hotel phone: +1 617-568-1234
When booking by telephone, request the Chess Rate.
🚆 How to Get There
The Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor is located immediately beside Boston Logan International Airport, making the venue particularly convenient for players flying into Boston.
| Transport | Details |
|---|---|
| ✈️ Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) | Approximately 1 mile from the hotel |
| 🚌 Hotel Airport Shuttle | Complimentary |
| 🚕 Taxi / Rideshare | Direct access to 101 Harborside Drive |
| ⛴️ Water Transportation | Water taxi connections available between the harbor area and downtown Boston |
| 🅿️ Chess Day Parking | $10 per day |
| 🅿️ Chess Overnight Parking | $20 per day |
Parking spaces are subject to availability and are not guaranteed, so players driving to the tournament should allow additional time.
The hotel’s complimentary airport shuttle also connects guests conveniently with Logan Airport transportation facilities.
ℹ️ Other Information
Players may request up to two half-point byes. They are available in any round, but players must commit to them before Round 2 begins.
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| 💤 Half-Point Byes | Maximum 2 |
| ⏰ Bye Commitment Deadline | Before Round 2 |
| 🔄 Re-Entry | $50 |
| 🚫 Premier-to-Premier Re-Entry | Not permitted |
| 💳 Refund Service Charge | $15 |
| 🪪 US Chess Membership | Required |
| ♟️ Tournament Equipment | Players should bring their own if possible |
The organizer asks players to bring a chess set, board, and clock if possible, because tournament equipment is not supplied.
January 2027 official US Chess ratings are used. Applicable unofficial or US Chess Online Regular ratings may also be applied under the published Continental Chess rules.
Prizes not claimed at the tournament are normally processed after the event. Continental Chess may issue unclaimed prizes by check, Zelle, or PayPal.
A separate Boston Chess Congress Blitz tournament is scheduled for Saturday night at 9:30 PM.
Official tournament listing:
https://new.uschess.org/15th-annual-boston-chess-congress
Official organizer website:
https://www.chesstour.com/
Official registration:
https://chessaction.com/CCA
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $12,000
Organizer
♟️ About Continental Chess Association
Continental Chess Association (CCA) is a national chess tournament organization in the United States. Founded by FM William “Bill” Goichberg in 1964, it began as the New York City Chess Association before expanding nationally and adopting the Continental Chess Association name in 1968. CCA is not a membership organization; instead, it operates as a US Chess-affiliated tournament organizer and runs rated events for players ranging from beginners and scholastic competitors to Grandmasters.
CCA organizes a large nationwide calendar of classical, rapid, blitz, scholastic, amateur, and championship events. Its signature tournaments include the World Open, Chicago Open, North American Open, National Chess Congress, Atlantic Open, Eastern Chess Congress, New York State Championship, Los Angeles Open, and several class championships. Many events use multiple rating sections so that players compete primarily against opponents of comparable strength. In addition, selected sections receive FIDE rating and provide opportunities for GM and IM norms.
CCA entered an important new chapter in August 2026 following the death of its founder, Bill Goichberg, on August 2, 2026, at age 83. In his later years, Goichberg transferred operational authority to the trustees of Continental Chess Incorporated: Bill Buklis, David Hater, Charles Hatherill, Steve Immitt, and Bob Messenger. The trustees had already been overseeing the organization and have confirmed that CCA will continue operating without interruption. Steve Immitt, a long-serving National Tournament Director and current CCA trustee, remains one of the organization’s principal tournament officials and public operational contacts.
📜 History and Development
Bill Goichberg founded the organization in 1964 to run chess tournaments in the New York City area. In 1968, its activities expanded beyond New York and the organization became the Continental Chess Association.
CCA subsequently developed into one of the most prolific tournament organizers in American chess. Its official historical record states that it has organized more than 2,300 tournaments across 28 states, Washington, DC, and the Bahamas, while awarding more than $24 million in prize money.
The organization also introduced several concepts that later became standard features of American tournament chess. In 1966, CCA pioneered US Chess-rated scholastic tournaments. In 1969, it introduced rated four-player Quad tournaments and created the National High School Championship.
CCA later established the National Junior High Championship, National Elementary Championship, and National Scholastic K–12 Grade Championship before those events became part of the US Chess national program.
🏆 World Open
The World Open is CCA’s flagship tournament and has been held since 1973. Over several decades, it has become one of the best-known large open tournaments in the United States.
The 54th Annual World Open took place from July 1–5, 2026 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. The principal tournament offered six sections from Open through Under 1400, with additional lower-rated and side events surrounding the main competition.
The 2026 World Open offered a $208,000 guaranteed prize fund for its main sections. The Open, U2200, and U2000 groups were FIDE-rated, while the Open also offered potential GM and IM norms.
The broader World Open festival included junior, women’s, senior amateur, blitz, action, and other side competitions, continuing CCA’s traditional model of creating a large multi-event chess festival around its flagship tournament.
♜ National Tournament Program
CCA’s calendar extends across several regions of the United States and includes both major festivals and compact weekend tournaments.
The 58th Annual Atlantic Open concluded in Virginia Beach on August 30, 2026. The next major event is the 148th New York State Championship, scheduled for September 4–7, 2026 at the Albany Marriott. The championship carries a $18,000 guaranteed prize fund and is recognized by US Chess as a Heritage Event.
The autumn calendar continues with the Midwest Class Championships on October 9–11, Eastern Class Championships on October 16–18, Eastern Chess Congress on October 23–25, and Los Angeles Open on November 6–8.
During Thanksgiving weekend, CCA will organize the 57th National Chess Congress from November 27–29, 2026 in Philadelphia. That event offers a $45,250 guaranteed prize fund across ten sections.
🌟 North American Open
CCA closes the year with one of its largest tournaments, the North American Open, held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 36th North American Open is scheduled for December 26–30, 2026 at Horseshoe Casino Resort on the Las Vegas Strip.
The tournament offers $130,000 in guaranteed prizes across eight sections. The Open section consists of nine rounds and is FIDE-rated, with GM and IM norms possible. The U2300 and U2100 sections are also FIDE-rated.
CCA offers several schedule options for lower sections, allowing players to choose between longer and more compressed tournament formats. This flexible scheduling system has become characteristic of many Continental Chess events.
🏛️ Organization and Legacy
Bill Goichberg shaped Continental Chess Association for more than six decades. Beyond his CCA work, he served in several senior roles within US Chess, including Executive Director and President, and was inducted into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame in 2018.
Following his death in August 2026, CCA publicly confirmed that its tournament operation would continue according to his wishes. The existing trustees — Bill Buklis, David Hater, Charles Hatherill, Steve Immitt, and Bob Messenger — now provide organizational continuity.
CCA continues to use experienced National and Senior Tournament Directors across its events. Its central tournament email also reaches the organization’s chief directors, providing players with a common contact point for entries, schedule changes, tournament questions, and other operational matters.
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