The 35th Annual North American Open returns to Las Vegas from December 26–30, 2025, hosted at the Horseshoe Casino Resort (formerly Bally’s) at 3645 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89103, USA. As one of America’s premier year-end open tournaments, the event offers aggressive prize guarantees ($130,000+), FIDE-rated sections with GM/IM norm opportunities, and a rich spectrum of rating-based sections for players of all levels.
Held across the holiday weekend in a top-tier resort venue, the North American Open combines competitive strength, tournament service, and festival atmosphere—ideal for ambitious players seeking high-stakes results in a lively setting.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | December 26–30, 2025 |
| 📍 Location | Horseshoe Casino Resort (formerly Bally’s), 3645 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89103, USA |
| ♟️ Format | Open Section: 9-Round Swiss (5-day) • Other sections 7-Round Swiss (3- or 4-day options) |
| 💵 Prize Fund | $130,000 guaranteed across 8 sections |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE & US Chess rated; GM/IM norms possible in Open |
| ✅ Eligibility | Open to all; different sections by rating and schedule |
🏆 Prize Fund & Breakdown
Major guarantee: $130,000 across all sections.
| Section | Top Prizes | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open Section | $10,000-5000-3000-2000-1300-1000-800-700-600-500 | Clear winner or tiebreak bonus; top FIDE U2400/unrated split prize $3000-2000-1000 |
| Under 2300 Section (FIDE) | $7,000-4000-2000-1200-800-600-500-500-400-400 | FIDE rated |
| Under 2100 Section (FIDE) | $7,000-4000-2000-1200-800-600-500-500-400-400 | FIDE rated; unrated players capped at $2000 max |
| Other Sections | Various guaranteed class prizes | 7 rounds, 3- or 4-day option |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Open Section: Standard – 40 moves in 90 minutes + SD/30; d30 (30-second increment)
3-day option (other sections): Rounds 1-2 G/60; d10, then G/90; d30 for later rounds
Pairing system: Swiss in all sections
Norms: GM/IM norms available in the Open section under FIDE conditions
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility | Rounds / Schedule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open (FIDE) | All players | 9 rounds • 5-day (Dec 26-30) | GM/IM norms possible |
| Under 2300 (FIDE) | USCF/FIDE rating <2300 | 7 rounds • 4-day option | FIDE rated |
| Under 2100 (FIDE) | Rating <2100 | 7 rounds • 3- or 4-day option | FIDE rated; unrated prize restrictions |
| Under 1900 / U1700 / U1500 / U1300 (class sections) | Rating below thresholds | 7 rounds • 3-day option | US Chess rated; class prizes |
| Blitz/Side Events | Open to all | Single-day (Dec 30) | Separate registration & prizes |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Dec 26 | 9:00 AM | On-site registration & Round 1 (Open) |
| Fri, Dec 26 | 2:30 PM | Round 2 |
| Fri, Dec 26 | 7:00 PM | Round 3 |
| Sat, Dec 27 | 10:00 AM | Round 4 |
| Sat, Dec 27 | 3:00 PM | Round 5 |
| Sat, Dec 27 | 7:00 PM | Round 6 or Blitz side-event |
| Sun, Dec 28 | 10:00 AM | Round 7 |
| Sun, Dec 28 | 3:00 PM | Round 8 |
| Mon, Dec 29 | 10:00 AM | Round 9 • Awards Ceremony (Open) |
| Tue, Dec 30 | 9:00 AM | Side‐event tournament(s) & closing festivities |
📝 Registration
Online registration strongly encouraged; early-entry discounts if paid by set deadlines.
On-site registration accepted until hours before Round 1 (subject to capacity).
Separate fees apply for Open vs class sections; side-events (blitz) require separate entry.
Entry fee includes US Chess membership (if applicable) for first-time adult entrants.
Refund policy: Withdrawals before Round 1 may receive partial credit; after play starts no refunds.
👥 Organizer
The event is organised by the Continental Chess Association (CCA) and the Nevada chess community, backed by the Las Vegas International Chess Festival. With decades of experience staging major open tournaments in Las Vegas, they provide full tournament service, hotel partnerships and live-broadcast opportunities.
Email: events@chessevents.com
Website: https://www.chesstour.com
Chief Organiser: William Goichberg
🏨 Venue
Horseshoe Casino Resort (formerly Bally’s)
3645 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89103, USA
Large resort-casino facility featuring on-site hotels, wide playing halls, free self-parking for participants, and full amenities in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.
🛎️ Accommodation
Special group rates available for tournament participants; book early as holiday-week demand is high.
Resort fee and parking programs vary; tournament hotel discount typically includes reduced or waived resort fee and free self-parking for entrants.
Use tournament booking link or mention “North American Open 35th” when calling the hotel.
🚗 How to Get There
By Air: McCarran International Airport (LAS) ~10 minutes by taxi/shuttle to resort.
By Road: Direct access via Las Vegas Blvd and hotel driveway; valet/self parking available.
By Bus/Train: Regional transport stops on Las Vegas Blvd; rideshare accessible.
Local: Walking distance to restaurants, entertainment and chess venue facilities.
This edition of the North American Open presents one of the largest guaranteed-prize classical opens in the U.S., combining top-tier tournament conditions with the entertainment and accommodation of Las Vegas. Whether you’re chasing a norm, class prize or simply a strong finish to the year, the 35th edition offers opportunity and atmosphere.
Organizer
Founded by Bill Goichberg in the 1960s, the Continental Chess Association is one of the most established chess tournament organizers in the United States. CCA runs a nationwide calendar of FIDE-rated and US Chess-rated events for all levels—open, rapid, and blitz—with professional arbiters, clear sections by rating, and player-friendly schedules. Its flagship festivals consistently draw large, competitive fields and provide reliable opportunities for rating progress and title norms, making CCA a reference point for US chess tournaments.
CCA is best known for the World Open (Philadelphia, every July), the Chicago Open (Memorial Day weekend), and the Continental Open (Massachusetts in August). These American classics combine deep prize funds, multiple sections, and smooth logistics—appealing to ambitious juniors, adult improvers, and grandmasters alike. For players seeking professionally managed open chess events in the USA, CCA delivers a proven blend of scale, fairness, and organization.