Elevate your classical play at the 2025 Kent Family Open Championship, a five-round Swiss-system event unfolding July 18–20, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri. The Saint Louis Chess Club hosts players in two rating sections (Open and U1800) at the elegant Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta (Maryland & Forsyth), offering spacious playing halls, professional pairings, and USCF-rated competition. This weekend-long championship delivers serious classical time control across three action-packed days—perfect for ambitious adults and scholastic contenders alike.
Whether you’re chasing rating gains or seeking a spirited over-the-board battle, the Kent Family Open supports deep calculation and tension-filled finales. With one round Friday evening and two rounds on both Saturday and Sunday, participants face a balanced schedule that rewards endurance, strategy, and opening preparation.
🎯 EVENT DETAILS
| Dates: | July 18 – 20, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Tournament Type: | Classical (USCF-rated, 5-Round Swiss) |
| Total prize fund: | $4,200 |
| Sections: | Open & U1800 |
| Place: | St. Louis, Missouri, USA |
| Venue: | Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta |
| Address: | 212 N Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108 |
| Organizer: | Saint Louis Chess Club |
| Federation: | US Chess Federation |
| Time Control: | G/90 + 30 sec increment |
| Number of rounds: | 5 |
⏱ TIME CONTROL
Each player receives 90 minutes for all moves plus a 30-second increment from move one. This cadence fosters deep strategic battles and high-tension endgames.
🗓 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
| Day | Round(s) | Start Time (CDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jul 18 | Round 1 | 6:30 PM |
| Sat, Jul 19 | Rounds 2 & 3 | 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM |
| Sun, Jul 20 | Rounds 4 & 5 | 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM |
💰 PRIZE FUND
The total prize pool is $4,200, divided between the Open and U1800 sections. Detailed breakdowns will be announced closer to the event.
📝 REGISTRATION
- Entry fee: $75 by July 11; $90 thereafter
- Free entry for GMs/IMs with $20 refundable deposit
- How to register: Visit the Saint Louis Chess Club registration portal
- Payment: Credit-card via the online system or cash at the club on Day 1
- Equipment: Digital clocks and tournament sets provided
✈️ TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION
Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta sits in the Central West End, 18 miles from Lambert International Airport (STL).
- By car: Accessible via I-64/US 40; hotel garage voucher available for $10/day
- By MetroLink: Red Line to Central West End Station (0.5 mi walk)
Nearby stays:
- On-site: Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta (special chess rate)
- Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch (1 mi, ~$150/night)
- The Central West End Hotel (0.3 mi, ~$140/night)
🏛️ ORGANIZER
The Saint Louis Chess Club stands as America’s premier chess hub, designated the U.S. Chess Capital in 2014. Since 2008, it has hosted world-class events—Sinquefield Cup, U.S. Championship, Cairns Cup, plus annual scholastic and invitational tournaments—drawing top grandmasters and rising talents. The club pairs tournament excellence with educational outreach, offering master lectures, camps, and community programs that serve players at every level.
Through partnerships with FIDE and local schools, the club drives chess’s growth at all levels. Its faculty of Grandmasters in residence leads camps, tutorials, and scholastic leagues, ensuring a continuous pipeline from beginner to titled contender.
📞 CONTACT DETAILS
- Address: 4657 Maryland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
- Email (main): info@saintlouischessclub.org
- Email (additional): tournaments@saintlouischessclub.org
- Phone (main): (314) 361-2437
- Phone (additional): (833) 221-3624
- Facebook: facebook.com/STLChessClub
- Instagram: instagram.com/stlchessclub
- Twitter: x.com/stlchessclub
- YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCM-ONC2bCHytG2mYtKDmIeA
🌟 WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE
The 2025 Kent Family Open Championship delivers professional organization, a central St. Louis location, and USCF-rated pairings in two competitive sections. Whether you’re hunting rating gains, testing your opening preparation, or enjoying over-the-board camaraderie, this event offers unmatched value in America’s Chess Capital. Secure your spot today and forge your next chess achievement!
Additional Details
Playing Venue - Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta
Organizer - Saint Louis Chess Club
Organizer Phone - +1 (314) 361-2437
Organizer email - info@saintlouischessclub.org
Time control - G/90 + 30 sec increment
Number of rounds - 5
Tournament system - SWISS
Rating - FIDE
Organizer
The Saint Louis Chess Club stands as America’s premier chess institution, proudly designated the U.S. Chess Capital in 2014. Since its founding in 2008, the Club has organized world-class events that attract the chess elite, including the annual Sinquefield Cup, the U.S. Championship & U.S. Women’s Championship, the Cairns Cup, and the Grand Chess Tour segments hosted in St. Louis. These flagship tournaments consistently feature the strongest fields outside of elite global venues, showcasing top grandmasters and offering norm-eligible, high-stakes competition under impeccable playing conditions.
Beyond its headline events, the Club cultivates chess excellence through year-round programming. It offers master-level lectures, school outreach initiatives, summer camps, and a Grandmaster-in-Residence series that brings world-class coaching to enthusiasts of all ages. The Club’s scholastic leagues and online classes have introduced thousands of students to over-the-board play, while its community partnerships help integrate chess into local schools and libraries. With a commitment to both competitive and educational excellence, the Saint Louis Chess Club fosters growth at every level—from grassroots development to professional grandmaster performance.