Downtown Reno welcomes competitors to the 13th Annual Reno – Larry Evans Memorial Open, running April 3-5, 2026, in Reno, Nevada, United States. The event delivers a 6-round Swiss with six rating-based sections and a marquee Open Section that earns FIDE and US Chess ratings. Players chase a $27,500 prize fund and fight for standings across a long-weekend schedule inside a major casino-hotel venue.
The tournament offers a 3-day schedule for all sections and a 2-day schedule option for the class sections that starts Saturday and merges into the main round times. The organizer supports ambitious “play up” choices, welcomes unrated players in the D Section, and adds a senior discount for eligible entrants. The weekend also includes optional side events and instructional sessions that add extra value beyond the main rounds.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | April 3-5, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Reno, Nevada, United States |
| ♟️ Format | 6-round Swiss system |
| ⭐ Rating | US Chess rated; Open Section FIDE rated |
| 📂 Sections | Open, Expert, A, B, C, D |
| ⏱️ Time control | Open: 40 moves/2 hours, SD/55 minutes + 5-second delay; Class (regular schedule): 40 moves/2 hours, SD/1 hour + 5-second delay; Class (2-day option, Rounds 1–3): Game/1 hour + 5-second delay |
| 💳 Entry fee | $180–$300 by section and rating; seniors 65+ receive a $20 discount |
| 💰 Prize fund | $27,500 (based on 275 entries; $17,000 guaranteed) |
| 👤 Eligibility | Players need current US Chess membership; players may play up; unrated players enter the D Section and do not win cash prizes |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | The event offers a 2-day schedule option for class sections; the Open Section plays the 3-day schedule only |
🏆 Prize Fund
Open Section Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $2,000 |
| 2nd | $1,000 |
| 3rd | $900 |
| 4th | $800 |
| 5th | $700 |
| 6th | $600 |
| 7th | $500 |
Open Section class prizes (2399 and below)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,000 |
| 2nd | $500 |
Open Section class prizes (2299 and below)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,000 |
| 2nd | $500 |
The event runs a playoff for $100 plus a trophy when players tie for 1st in the Open Section. Provisionally rated players may win only half of 1st place money, except for Open Section 1st–7th prizes. GMs and IMs who enter for free do not win the Open Section class prizes for 2399 and below unless they pay an entry fee and become eligible.
Expert Section (2000–2199) Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $2,000 |
| 2nd | $1,000 |
| 3rd | $500 |
| 4th | $300 |
| 5th | $200 |
Section A (1800–1999) Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,800 |
| 2nd | $900 |
| 3rd | $500 |
| 4th | $300 |
| 5th | $200 |
Section B (1600–1799) Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,700 |
| 2nd | $800 |
| 3rd | $400 |
| 4th | $300 |
| 5th | $200 |
Section C (1400–1599) Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,500 |
| 2nd | $700 |
| 3rd | $400 |
| 4th | $300 |
| 5th | $200 |
Section D (Under 1400) Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,000 |
| 2nd | $500 |
| 3rd | $300 |
| 4th | $200 |
Section D (1199 and below) prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $400 |
| 2nd | $200 |
| 3rd | $100 |
Special Prizes
Top Senior (65+)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $200 |
Club Champion
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $600 |
| 2nd | $300 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament runs a 6-round Swiss across six sections. The Open Section uses 40 moves in 2 hours, then SD/55 minutes with a 5-second delay for all six rounds. The class sections use 40 moves in 2 hours, then SD/1 hour with a 5-second delay on the regular schedule, and the 2-day option uses Game/1 hour with a 5-second delay for Rounds 1–3.
Players may request half-point byes for any round, and the organizer accepts a maximum of two byes in the Open Section. Players must submit bye requests by 9:00 AM Saturday. To balance odd-sized groups, the pairing procedure may move the highest-rated player from the next lower group up to the higher group when applicable.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open | 2200 and above | The Open Section earns FIDE and US Chess ratings and uses the 3-day schedule only. |
| Expert | 2000–2199 | The section offers a 2-day schedule option that starts Saturday. |
| A | 1800–1999 | The section offers a 2-day schedule option that starts Saturday. |
| B | 1600–1799 | The section offers a 2-day schedule option that starts Saturday. |
| C | 1400–1599 | The section offers a 2-day schedule option that starts Saturday. |
| D | Under 1400 | Unrated players compete in this section and do not win cash prizes. |
📅 Schedule
Main tournament schedule (3-day)
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2, 2026 | Thursday | 5:00 PM–8:00 PM | Registration |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | 9:00 AM–10:00 AM | Registration |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | 12:00 PM–7:00 PM | Rounds 1–2 |
| April 4, 2026 | Saturday | 10:00 AM–6:00 PM | Round 3 and Round 4 |
| April 5, 2026 | Sunday | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM | Rounds 5–6 |
2-day schedule option (class sections only)
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 4, 2026 | Saturday | 10:30 AM | Round 1 |
| April 4, 2026 | Saturday | 12:45 PM | Round 2 |
| April 4, 2026 | Saturday | 3:00 PM | Round 3 |
| April 4, 2026 | Saturday | 6:00 PM | Round 4 (merged round) |
| April 5, 2026 | Sunday | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM | Rounds 5–6 |
Side events and sessions
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2026 | Wednesday | 7:00 PM | GM Sergey Kudrin clock simul with game analysis |
| April 2, 2026 | Thursday | 6:00 PM–7:15 PM | Lecture by IM John Donaldson |
| April 2, 2026 | Thursday | 7:30 PM | Simul |
| April 2, 2026 | Thursday | 7:30 PM | Blitz tournament (G/5, delay 0) |
| April 4, 2026 | Saturday | 3:00 PM–4:30 PM | Game/position analysis by IM John Donaldson |
📝 Registration
The organizer accepts advance entries by mail and by email using the official entry information. Players who mail an entry must send payment to Weikel Chess, LLC and meet the postmark deadline to avoid late fees. Players who enter by email must send all information by the stated deadline to avoid late fees, and credit card entries add a $7 service charge.
The organizer adds an $11 late fee when players mail or email entries after March 6, 2026, and the organizer adds an $22 late fee for on-site entry. The organizer stops mail entries after March 27, 2026 and stops email entries after March 31, 2026. The organizer offers a $20 discount to seniors age 65+.
👥 Organizer
Weikel Chess, LLC and tournament director Jerry Weikel run the Larry Evans Memorial Open as a flagship Reno event with multiple sections, a 2-day option for class players, and a prize fund that scales with participation.
Email: wackyykl@aol.com
Phone: 775-747-1405
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RenoChessClub/
🏨 Venue
J Resort Casino Hotel, 345 N. Arlington Avenue, Reno, NV 89501, United States
J Resort Casino Hotel hosts the tournament in a central downtown Reno location and keeps players close to on-site amenities and the weekend schedule.
🛎️ Accommodation
J Resort Casino Hotel offers discounted room rates for tournament participants: $92.66 Sunday–Thursday and $149.41 Friday–Saturday, with taxes and fees included. Call 1-866-386-7829 and request Group Reservation Code CHESS 42026, and reserve by March 20, 2026 to secure the chess rate. Players under 21 must check in with an adult.
🚗 How to Get There
Fly into Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and take a short drive to downtown Reno for the tournament venue at 345 N. Arlington Avenue. Drivers can reach downtown Reno via the city’s main highway approaches and arrive directly at the J Resort Casino Hotel.
Bring your fighting chess to Reno and play for a major prize fund in a classic multi-section open that rewards every rating level.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $27,500
Organizer
Reno Chess Club is an established chess club based in Reno, Nevada, United States. It was founded in 1952 and supports over-the-board chess in Northern Nevada. Today, it serves as a regular meeting point for club players and visiting competitors.
The club hosts weekly rated play and community chess sessions at its Reno venue. In addition, it organizes major Swiss tournaments, including the Reno Larry Evans Memorial Open. Moreover, its tournament calendar often includes large multi-section events with strong prize funds and clear regulations.
Furthermore, Reno Chess Club promotes chess education and player development through club activities and resources. As a result, it offers a practical pathway from casual play to serious tournament competition.
Address: 125 West Plumb Lane, Reno, NV 89509, United States
Email: wackyykl@aol.com
Phone: +1 775-502-1802
Phone 2: +1 408-313-8643
Website: https://renochessclub.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RenoChessClub/
Main contact: Jerry Weikel