The 3rd Annual MLK Day Open 2027 takes place January 15–17, 2027, at the Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria in the Dallas–Addison area of Texas. Organized by Atlantic Chess Association, the tournament offers five Swiss-system rounds across seven separate sections, with opportunities for both established FIDE players and developing US Chess competitors.

The Premier, U2200 and U2000 sections are FIDE-rated and use 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment. U1800 and U1600 follow the same three-day schedule and time control; the U1300 and U1000 groups play on January 16–17 with 60 minutes and a five-second delay.

Instead of one fixed prize pool, the organizer guarantees score-based cash awards, so eligible players with the same score can each receive the published amount. Travelers can stay in the playing hotel or compare nearby independent properties, with registration and hotel booking handled separately.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Each section plays five rounds using Swiss pairings. In Premier, U2200, U2000, U1800 and U1600, the time control is G/90 + 30-second increment: players begin with 90 minutes and gain 30 seconds after each move. These five sections start on Friday evening and have two rounds on Saturday and two on Sunday. The three FIDE-rated sections are specifically Premier, U2200 and U2000; the same chess clock does not make U1800 and U1600 FIDE-rated.

The U1300 and U1000 sections have a separate two-day timetable and play G/60;d5: each player receives 60 minutes with a five-second delay, not a five-second increment. Their first three rounds run Saturday, while the last two run Sunday. The organizer gives every section a 60-minute forfeit limit.

January 2027 published US Chess ratings will be used for pairings. The organizer can use a different rating system or conversion for a particular player when justified. A player whose live rating exceeds a section ceiling must move to a higher eligible group. For Premier, U2200 and U2000, arrange a FIDE ID before the organizer submits the rating report.

🏆 Prize Fund

The event uses a guaranteed score-based prize schedule, not a conventional fixed total. For each player, the award depends on the section and the final score out of five. If multiple players achieve an eligible score, each receives the corresponding amount rather than sharing one place prize. A clear section winner with fewer than five points can also receive the published bonus.

The clear-first-place bonus applies only when one player wins the section outright with a score below 5/5. The official table does not support a single guaranteed tournament-wide total, since the number and scores of eligible winners can change the final payout. Unrated-player prize ceilings are $400 in U1600, $200 in U1300 and $100 in U1000. A player who withdraws is not eligible for prize money.

♟️ Sections / Groups

This is one congress with seven independently paired sections, rather than seven award categories in a combined Open. The organizer publishes minimum US Chess ratings for several higher sections as well as maximum ratings implied by U-levels. Choose the appropriate competition before paying the entry fee.

The organizer bases eligibility on published US Chess ratings and also considers live ratings: for example, a player whose live rating rises above 1600 cannot remain in U1600. Confirm any unusual foreign-rating, unrated or play-up circumstances before entering. A registered player may need an official section change if their live rating moves past the ceiling.

📅 Schedule

All times are Central Standard Time (CST) in Dallas. The two sets of sections follow different timetables. The times below are published round starts—not assumed finishing times.

Premier, U2200, U2000, U1800 and U1600 — three-day schedule

U1300 and U1000 — two-day schedule

The organizer allows up to two irrevocable half-point byes, subject to the stated registration and Round 2 deadlines. After those times, only zero-point byes are available. Since the final game can run well beyond its starting time, allow flexibility before catching a flight or driving home.

📝 Registration

Use the event-specific Caissa Chess registration form. This link registers the main 3rd Annual MLK Day Open, not the separate blitz or scholastic side events. Caissa handles tournament entry; the organizer says pairings, byes and standings will be available through Chessroster nearer the event.

All entry-fee cutoff dates use the time zone specified by the organizer (Eastern Standard Time), while playing times in Dallas are Central Standard Time. Select the correct fee tier and section when paying. Late onsite arrivals may enter with an appropriate first-round bye, subject to the organizer’s rules.

GMs and WGMs receive free entry, with no prize deduction if registered by Nov 15, 2026; registering later leads to a $100 deduction from any prize. IMs and WIMs enter free by that date or pay $100 afterward. These title-holder conditions require playing all five rounds with no byes or withdrawal. Other withdrawals incur a 10% processing charge; the organizer says full entry credit can instead be used for a future ACA tournament.

FIDE-rated players without a FIDE ID should send the information listed in the official regulations to director@atlanticchessassociation.com so the organizer can request an ID. Bring a pen and, if available, a chess clock; boards and pieces are provided. Electronic notation devices are prohibited.

🏛️ Organizer

Atlantic Chess Association is the organizer of the third annual MLK Day Open and its separately advertised side events. The association publishes the tournament’s score-based awards, rating eligibility, registration system, conditions for titled players and precise round times. It also coordinates the FIDE ID reporting process for its rated sections.

The existing organizer profile on MyChess.Events contains its organizational background, verified contact fields and Facebook and Instagram links. Tournament-specific questions should be sent to director@atlanticchessassociation.com; refer to the official event page for the complete January 2027 regulations. The blitz and scholastic side events are independent and should not be confused with this five-round classical congress.

📍 Venue

All seven sections play at Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria, 14901 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75254, United States. The official US Chess announcement and Marriott property page confirm the same hotel and street address. The property has extensive meeting facilities, guest accommodation, on-site dining and parking. The exact chess ballroom and registration desk are not specified on the US Chess page, so check the event signs or hotel staff when arriving.

The hotel’s dining information lists TEXFusion Restaurant, TEXDrip Coffee Shop and TEXFusion Bar on-site. Its official overview shows accessible hotel features and confirms that it does not provide an airport shuttle. The US Chess tournament listing does not classify the event as handicap accessible, so players needing specific tournament-room arrangements should contact the organizer well before play.

🏨 Accommodation

The simplest option is staying in the playing hotel, avoiding a separate trip before morning rounds. The organizer advertises a $149-per-night chess group rate at Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria, with a December 25, 2026 cutoff for booking under the offer. Use the official organizer page for the group-room link and check current terms; the listed rate should not be assumed available after the deadline.

Below are individual Booking.com property pages, routed through Stay22 for January 14 check-in and January 18 checkout. Travelers can change the dates and occupancy. The hotel links are alternatives to the separate group-room offer, not promises of that rate.

Confirm the precise hotel name, taxes, cancellation rules and total stay price before booking. In particular, the Marriott Quorum playing hotel, Residence Inn and Courtyard are three distinct properties. Staying in one of the alternatives does not include tournament entry or guarantee a chess-rate reservation.

🍽️ Nearby Restaurants & Cafés

The playing hotel already offers refreshments at TEXFusion and TEXDrip, which can be useful between rounds. For separate restaurants in the Addison area, the following businesses have verified physical addresses and their own menus; allow sufficient time to leave the hotel and return before your next game.

Both restaurants are around the Belt Line Road dining corridor, not inside the tournament hotel. Use their official sites for actual January opening hours and reservations. Players in the U1300 and U1000 schedules have a short interval between the 10 AM and 1 PM rounds on Saturday, so the hotel may be more practical for a quick meal.

🚆 How to Get There

Travel to Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria, 14901 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75254, United States, in Addison’s Dallas Parkway area—not to central Dallas or the similarly named airport hotels. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field are both listed by Marriott as arrival airports; the hotel does not operate a free shuttle from either.

Check DART’s official DFW airport rail guide and Addison Station details for the train and connecting bus services. Give yourself extra time for luggage, traffic and the hotel playing-room check-in before the Friday 7:30 PM start.

ℹ️ Other Information

Score-based prizes are the main distinguishing feature. The official US Chess listing and organizer regulations explain that each qualifying player receives the award associated with the player’s score, not a share of one overall place prize. This makes a single total prize-fund figure inappropriate; verify the conditions in the official prize chart before entering.

Each player may request up to two irrevocable half-point byes within the official deadlines; after the cutoff, only zero-point byes are possible. A withdrawn player is ineligible for prizes. The organizers also state a strict policy on phones and electronic notation devices and provide boards and chess pieces. Players should bring the supplies they need for notating their games.

The tournament includes separate January 16 blitz and scholastic events under the MLK Day program. Their time controls, registration links, eligibility and prizes are different from the main classical Open. Use the main event registration form for this congress. The official Marriott information and DART travel planner can help coordinate lodging and transportation independently of tournament registration.