The Atlantic City Open 2026 debuts on the New Jersey shore, replacing the long‑running Princeton and Foxwoods spring events.
Organized by the Continental Chess Association (CCA) at Harrah’s Resort, with professional halls and efficient rounds.
Event Details
| 📅 Dates | 3 – 5 April 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA |
| 🏟️ Venue | Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | US Chess & FIDE rated |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | 5 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 40/90, SD/30 + 30s |
| 💰 Prize Fund | $20,000 guaranteed |
Prize Fund
| Section | Awards |
|---|---|
| Open (FIDE) | Top + U2400/U2200 prizes |
| U2000 | Top + class prizes |
| U1700 | Top + class prizes |
| U1400 | Top + class prizes |
| U1100/Unrated | Trophies & awards |
Time Control & Tournament System
- 5‑round Swiss; 2‑day or 3‑day schedules
- Time control: 40/90, SD/30, +30s
- Tiebreaks: Solkoff → Modified Median → Cumulative
Sections / Groups
- Open (FIDE)
- U2000
- U1700
- U1400
- U1100/Unrated
Schedule
| Date | Event / Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Apr 3 | Registration & Rd 1 | 19:00 |
| Sat, Apr 4 | Rounds 2–3 | 10:00 / 17:00 |
| Sun, Apr 5 | Rounds 4–5 & Awards | 09:00 / 15:00 |
Registration
$120–$150 advance; $160 on site. US Chess required; FIDE ID for Open. One half‑point bye if requested before Rd 2.
Organizer
Continental Chess Association (CCA).
- Email: director@chessaction.com
- Website: chessaction.com
Venue
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City — resort & convention halls with on‑site dining and lodging.
Accommodation
Chess block at Harrah’s; overflow hotels on the Boardwalk.
How to Get There
- By Air: ACY ~20 min; PHL ~1 hr
- By Train/Bus: NJ Transit from Philadelphia
- By Car: Garden State Pkwy / AC Expressway; garage parking
Competitive chess with a seaside vibe — the Atlantic City Open sets a fresh standard for spring events.
Organizer
Continental Chess Association (CCA) is a national chess events company based in Pelham, New York, United States. It has directed major American tournaments since the 1960s. Moreover, CCA is a long-standing tournament organizer on the US circuit.
CCA produces large open chess tournament weekends across the United States. In addition, it organizes the 10th Annual George Washington Open near Washington, DC. Many events include FIDE-rated tournament sections alongside US Chess-rated sections. Formats emphasize classical chess, with occasional rapid and blitz side events.
Furthermore, CCA uses streamlined online registration and publishes clear event rules. As a result, players get consistent pairings and professional tournament operations.
