9th Annual Gulf Coast New Year’s Open
The 9th Annual Gulf Coast New Year’s Open will be held from January 2-4 or 3-4, 2026 at the Embassy Suites Hotel Fort Myers-Estero, Florida. Organized by Boca Raton Chess Club and sponsored by ChessRegister.com, this USCF and FIDE-rated event offers over $10,600 in cash prizes based on 140 paid entries (70% guaranteed) and awards 60 USCF Grand Prix Points.
Players can choose between a 3-day or 2-day schedule (U1150 section – 2-day only). The tournament features five rating sections with generous prizes, trophies, and a Saturday night blitz competition.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | January 2-4 (3-day schedule) or January 3-4 (2-day schedule), 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Embassy Suites Hotel Fort Myers–Estero, 10450 Corkscrew Commons Dr, Estero, FL 33928 |
| ♟️ Format | 5-Round Swiss System |
| ⏱️ Time Control | Game 90 + 30 sec increment (all sections except U1150) • U1150 section: G/90 d5 (first 2 rounds G/60 d5 for 2-day schedule) |
| ⭐ Rating | Top 2 sections FIDE rated (USCF ratings used for pairings and prizes) |
| 🧾 USCF Event Code | 60 Grand Prix Points Event |
| 💰 Prize Fund | $10,600 based on 140 paid entries (70% guaranteed) |
| 👥 Organizer | Boca Raton Chess Club / Jon Haskel (IA, IO, NTD) |
| 🎯 Sponsored by | ChessRegister.com |
| 🎟️ Entry Deadline | Online entry closes Jan 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM (On-site registration up to 30 min before round 1) |
🏆 Prize Fund
Total Cash Prizes: $10,600 (70% guaranteed)
| Section | Prizes |
|---|---|
| Premier (1850+ USCF or FIDE required) | 1st $1,600 + Trophy • 2nd $900 • 3rd $500 • U2300 $400 / $200 |
| Under 2050 | 1st $1,200 + Trophy • 2nd $700 • 3rd $400 • U1900 $200 |
| Under 1800 | 1st $1,100 + Trophy • 2nd $600 • 3rd $300 • U1650 $200 |
| Under 1450 | 1st $1,000 + Trophy • 2nd $500 • 3rd $250 • U1250/Unr. $150 |
| Under 1150 | Trophies for 1st–3rd & U900/U700/Unr.; Medals to all others |
| Top Senior Prize (60+) | $100 in each cash prize section |
⏱️ Time Control & Schedules
Time Controls
-
All sections (except U1150): G/90 + 30 sec increment.
-
U1150 section: G/90 d5 (two-day only; first two rounds G/60 d5 for 2-day players).
-
Pairings: Swiss system; two half-point byes available if requested before Round 2.
Rounds Schedule
| Section | Friday (2 Jan) | Saturday (3 Jan) | Sunday (4 Jan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day | 7:00 PM (Rd 1) | 10:30 AM (Rd 2), 4:30 PM (Rd 3) | 9:30 AM (Rd 4), 2:30 PM (Rd 5) |
| 2-Day (all but U1150) | — | 10:30 AM (Rd 1), 1:30 PM (Rd 2), 4:30 PM (Rd 3) | 9:30 AM (Rd 4), 2:30 PM (Rd 5) |
| U1150 (2-Day Only) | — | 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM | 9:30 AM, 1:45 PM |
Blitz Event (Saturday Night 9:15 PM)
-
4 double rounds (G/3 d2).
-
Entry: $20 (main event players), $30 (others).
-
Prizes based on entries.
📝 Registration
-
Entry Fees:
-
All sections (except U1150): $124 by Dec 28 • +$10 after • +$20 onsite.
-
U1150 Section: $49 by Dec 28 • +$5 after • +$10 onsite.
-
Re-entry (for cash prize sections): $60.
-
Free for GMs & IMs ($124 deducted from any prize).
-
-
Membership: USCF membership required.
-
Unrated players: eligible only for U1450 or U1150 sections.
-
Refunds: $10 service charge; requests before Jan 2 at 5 PM.
-
Online Registration: https://www.chessregister.com/
-
Mail Entries: Boca Raton Chess Club, 21459 Juego Circle #30C, Boca Raton, FL 33433
-
Email: jon@bocachess.com • Phone: +1 (561) 302-4377
🏨 Accommodation
Embassy Suites Hotel Fort Myers–Estero
10450 Corkscrew Commons Drive, Estero, FL 33928
-
Rate: $184 per night (no resort fee).
-
Includes: Complimentary hot breakfast, evening reception, Wi-Fi, refrigerator, microwave, and free parking.
-
Reservations: Call 239-949-4222 and mention the “Gulf Coast Chess Tournament” rate (before cut-off date).
👥 Organizer
Chief Tournament Director: Jon Haskel (National TD, International Arbiter & Organizer)
Organizer: Boca Raton Chess Club • Email: jon@bocachess.com • Phone: +1 561-302-4377
Website: https://www.bocachess.com/
🚗 How to Get There
-
By Car: Accessible via I-75 (Exit 123 – Corkscrew Road).
-
By Air: nearest airport is Southwest Florida International (RSW) – about 15 minutes away.
-
By Taxi/Ride-share: Easy connections from the Fort Myers and Naples regions.
Start the new year with an exciting chess weekend at the 9th Annual Gulf Coast New Year’s Open 2026 – top-notch organization, generous prizes, and the perfect warm-weather chess getaway in sunny Florida!
