The 2027 Castle Chess Grand Prix is scheduled for June 25–27, 2027, at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. The annual US Chess-rated competition features five rounds, seven rating sections and a $12,500 guaranteed prize fund. Players may enter either the three-day or two-day schedule, with both groups joining for Round 2.

Castle Chess hosts the event after its annual summer training camp, but the Grand Prix is open to everyone, not only camp participants. Alongside the main-section prizes, the Master section offers U2400 awards and 80 US Chess Grand Prix points. Participants should review the strict play-up, registration, fair-play and no-spectator rules before arriving.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The event uses a five-round US Chess-rated format. For the three-day schedule, each player receives 90 minutes for the game plus a 10-second increment per move (G/90 + 10). The two-day schedule begins Saturday morning with G/55 + 10, then merges into the regular schedule from Round 2. Castle Chess offers separate playing schedules but one combined tournament and prize structure within each rating section.

Players may request up to two half-point byes, provided they commit before the first round. Bye requests made during the event receive zero points. Players must submit withdrawals, cancellations or zero-point byes at least one hour before the affected round. White’s clock starts at the announced round time even if either player is absent.

🏆 Prize Fund

The prize fund is $12,500, fully guaranteed. The seven published sections and their awards are listed below. All amounts are in US dollars, and the Master section also awards 80 US Chess Grand Prix points.

The published individual awards total $12,500. Unrated players with 0–3 rated games may enter only Class D or U1200 and are limited to $250 in prize money; any balance passes to the next eligible player or players. The organizer pays prizes on-site on Sunday until 5:30 PM or sends them during the week of June 28.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The strict 100-point play-up rule has no exceptions. A player may enter the next higher section only if the June 2027 US Chess supplement or an eligible live rating achieved June 1–25 is within 100 points of its cutoff. For example, a player rated 1700 can play in Class A, but a player rated 1699 cannot. Incorrect section entries are reassigned.

Players who do not have a rating may enter Class D or U1200. The organizer normally uses June 2027 US Chess ratings, so players should verify their eligibility before paying.

📅 Schedule

The Grand Prix has a Friday-evening first round for players choosing the three-day schedule and a Saturday-morning opening round for the two-day schedule. All times are local Atlanta time (EDT).

Round 2 brings both schedules together. Since the Sunday afternoon round can extend into the evening, players should avoid making travel plans that assume every game finishes at a fixed time.

📝 Registration

Use the official 2027 tournament page to reach the organizer’s current registration instructions. The online entry fee is $125 through June 22, increasing to $140 after June 22 or on-site. On-site payments are cash only, with exact change. Re-entry is $60. A player who registered online does not need a separate on-site check-in.

Free online entry applies to GMs, IMs and WGMs. Registration by June 10 avoids a prize deduction for these titles; later registrations incur a $125 deduction from prize winnings. FMs and WIMs rated 2200+ and all players rated 2400+ also qualify for free online entry, but have a $100 prize deduction if registered by June 10 or $125 afterward.

Camp participants who already paid for the Grand Prix through their camp registration should not enter a second time. The official tournament registration is separate from the MyChess.Events interest and contact interface; no outside URL has been inserted into the event’s sidebar registration field.

🏛️ Organizer

Castle Chess operates the annual Castle Chess Camp at Emory University and hosts the Grand Prix following the camp. The organization was incorporated as a nonprofit in 2008, continuing the Atlanta camp established in 2001. Its Director of Competition, Grant Oen, serves as Chief Tournament Director of the Grand Prix. The organization has a long record of leading US players competing at its annual event.

📍 Venue

The tournament takes place at Emory University – Emory Student Center, 605 Asbury Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States. Players should head to the Emory Student Center rather than the camp’s residential buildings. The organizer directs drivers to the Peavine covered parking deck, 29 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, and warns that the outdoor parking area may incur charges. Allow approximately 15 minutes to walk from the deck to the Student Center.

🏨 Accommodation

For a weekend stay near Emory, compare these five established hotels around the campus and downtown Decatur. A practical search is June 24 check-in and June 28 checkout. The properties have been checked against Emory-area accommodation listings. Hotel rates for June 2027 are dynamic, so the links open official booking websites where travelers can check dates, rates and availability directly.

Hotels in downtown Decatur require a separate trip to the university. For additional property choices, use the existing accommodation search tools on MyChess.Events. Hotel links in this table are direct property links and do not add manual affiliate URLs.

🍽️ Nearby Restaurants & Cafés

Players can find food options around Emory’s campus, including cafés and restaurants near Emory Point, and a wider selection in downtown Decatur. The Saturday schedule includes an afternoon and evening round, so plan meals around the posted start times and leave additional time for games that run long.

🚗 How to Get There

Navigate to Emory Student Center, 605 Asbury Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322. By car, follow campus signs and the organizer’s specific instructions for the Peavine covered deck at 29 Eagle Row. The outdoor lot is not the designated free parking choice.

Visitors flying into Atlanta can use Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and arrange onward transport to Emory. MARTA rail and bus services cover parts of the route; a taxi or rideshare can simplify the final connection. Allow extra travel time on Friday before the 6:45 PM start.

ℹ️ Other Information

No spectators: During active rounds, only tournament staff and active players may enter the playing room and nearby hallways. Parents and players who have finished their games must also remain outside these areas. The organizers supply chess boards, sets and clocks for tournament games, but players should bring separate equipment for informal games or analysis.

Fair play: Mobile phones and smart watches must not be on a player’s person during a game. Follow the official rules for storing electronics away from your pockets and the playing board.

Withdrawals and refunds: Cancellations through June 23 may incur a $5 transaction fee. After June 23 and until 90 minutes before Round 1, the organizer offers a 50% refund; later cancellations receive no refund. No-shows and forfeits may incur a $100 penalty under the published rules. Review the official Castle Chess Grand Prix terms before entering.