Compete in the 13th Annual Summer Solstice Open on May 29-31, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, and test your preparation in a five-round weekend Swiss with serious thinking time and multiple section options. The event offers a three-day schedule from Friday night through Sunday afternoon, and it also offers a faster two-day schedule for players who prefer to start on Saturday. The tournament pays out a published cash prize base and adds senior prizes in every cash section, so consistent scoring matters in every round. Boca Raton Chess Club runs the event at a major hotel venue and supports players with an on-site weekend format.
Choose the section that fits your rating and goals, then chase both standings and class prizes across a field that merges after Round 2 in every section except U1150. The Premier and Under 2050 sections offer FIDE rating opportunities, while all sections use US Chess ratings for pairing and prize purposes. The organizer also runs an optional Saturday-night blitz side event for players who want extra games. If you want a structured US Chess weekend open with increment time control, clear section rules, and a published prize package, this Fort Lauderdale stop fits the calendar well.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | May 29-31, 2026 (3-day) or May 30–31, 2026 (2-day); U1150 plays 2-day only |
| 📍 Location | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States |
| ♟️ Format | 5-round Swiss System; all sections except U1150 merge after Round 2 |
| ⭐ Rating | US Chess rated; FIDE rated (Premier and U2050) |
| 📂 Sections | Premier; U2050; U1800; U1400; U1150 |
| ⏱️ Time control | All but U1150: G/90 + 30-second increment; U1150: G/90 d5; first two rounds on the 2-day schedule: G/60 d5 |
| 💳 Entry fee | All but U1150: $124 by May 18, +$10 later, +$20 on site; U1150: $60 by May 18, +$5 later, +$10 on site |
| 💰 Prize fund | $10,600 cash prize base (based on 170 paid entries in cash prize sections; 70% minimum guaranteed) |
| 👤 Eligibility | US Chess membership required; Premier requires a minimum US Chess or FIDE rating of 1850; unrated players may enter U1400 or U1150 only |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | 50 US Chess Grand Prix points (Enhanced); up to 2 half-point byes if you request them before Round 2; players must bring their own sets and clocks |
🏆 Prize Fund
The organizer bases the cash prize fund on 170 paid entries in the cash prize sections and guarantees at least 70% of that base. The organizer deducts $124 from the prize fund for each free-entry GM or IM. Unrated players qualify only for unrated prizes.
Premier
| Prize | Cash |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $1,200 |
| 2nd place | $700 |
| 3rd place | $500 |
| 1st U2300 | $400 |
| 2nd U2300 | $200 |
Under 2050
| Prize | Cash |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $1,100 |
| 2nd place | $600 |
| 3rd place | $500 |
| 1st U1900 | $300 |
| 2nd U1900 | $100 |
Under 1800
| Prize | Cash |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $1,000 |
| 2nd place | $600 |
| 3rd place | $500 |
| 1st U1650 | $300 |
| 2nd U1650 | $100 |
Under 1400
| Prize | Cash |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $900 |
| 2nd place | $500 |
| 3rd place | $400 |
| 1st U1250 / Unrated | $200 |
| 2nd U1250 / Unrated | $100 |
The organizer awards a Top Senior prize of $100 in each cash prize section for a player who is at least 60 years old on May 29, 2026. The U1150 section awards trophies and medals only.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament runs a 5-round Swiss. All sections except U1150 use G/90 with a 30-second increment from move 1, and U1150 uses G/90 d5. On the two-day schedule, the organizer plays the first two rounds at G/60 d5 in all sections. The organizer rates the Premier and U2050 sections for FIDE and uses US Chess ratings for pairing and prize purposes across the event.
The organizer offers both a three-day and a two-day schedule, and U1150 plays two-day only. The organizer merges all sections except U1150 after Round 2. Players may request up to two half-point byes if they submit the request before Round 2.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Premier | Minimum US Chess or FIDE rating 1850 | FIDE rated |
| U2050 | Under 2050 | FIDE rated |
| U1800 | Under 1800 | Cash prizes + class prizes |
| U1400 | Under 1400 | Unrated players may enter; unrated players qualify only for unrated prizes |
| U1150 | Under 1150 | Trophies and medals only; 2-day schedule only |
📅 Schedule
All sections except U1150 (3-day schedule)
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 29, 2026 | Friday | 7:00 PM | Round 1 |
| May 30, 2026 | Saturday | 10:30 AM | Round 2 |
| May 30, 2026 | Saturday | 4:30 PM | Round 3 |
| May 31, 2026 | Sunday | 9:30 AM | Round 4 |
| May 31, 2026 | Sunday | 2:30 PM | Round 5 |
All sections except U1150 (2-day schedule)
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 30, 2026 | Saturday | 10:30 AM | Round 1 |
| May 30, 2026 | Saturday | 1:30 PM | Round 2 |
| May 30, 2026 | Saturday | 4:30 PM | Round 3 |
| May 31, 2026 | Sunday | 9:30 AM | Round 4 |
| May 31, 2026 | Sunday | 2:30 PM | Round 5 |
U1150 section (2-day schedule only)
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 30, 2026 | Saturday | 10:30 AM | Round 1 |
| May 30, 2026 | Saturday | 1:30 PM | Round 2 |
| May 30, 2026 | Saturday | 4:30 PM | Round 3 |
| May 31, 2026 | Sunday | 9:30 AM | Round 4 |
| May 31, 2026 | Sunday | 1:45 PM | Round 5 |
Blitz tournament (optional)
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 30, 2026 | Saturday | 9:15 PM | Blitz Tournament (4 double rounds, G/3 d/2) |
📝 Registration
Register online:
https://www.chessregister.com/register?event_key=s9dEcsyiw-EjqIm0xon3us1V04Ucuw73-2nkGVypuPY%3D
Online entry closes at 5:00 PM on May 29, 2026. The organizer accepts on-site registration up to 30 minutes before the start of rounds. US Chess membership is required.
Entry fees:
All sections except U1150: $124 if the organizer receives your entry by May 18, $10 more after May 18, and $20 more for on-site entry.
U1150: $60 if the organizer receives your entry by May 18, $5 more after May 18, and $10 more for on-site entry.
GM and IM: free entry (the organizer deducts $124 from the prize fund).
Re-entry (cash prize sections): $65.
Refunds: the organizer charges a $10 service fee.
Mail entries to:
Boca Raton Chess Club, 8866 Harrods Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33433
Request up to two half-point byes before Round 2. Bring your own chess set and clock.
👥 Organizer
Boca Raton Chess Club runs the Summer Solstice Open and manages entries, section selection, schedules, and prize administration under the published tournament flyer. Jon Haskel serves as Chief Tournament Director and supports the event operations across the full weekend program at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott North.
Email: jon@bocachess.com
Phone: 561-302-4377
🏨 Venue
Fort Lauderdale Marriott North, 6650 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, United States
The tournament plays inside a hotel venue with on-site services and a dedicated playing area for the full weekend schedule. The organizer offers a special group room rate that includes Internet and parking. Start times may run later than listed when games with increment run long.
🛎️ Accommodation
Fort Lauderdale Marriott North, 6650 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, United States
The organizer offers a special rate of $149 per night that includes Internet and parking, and the hotel offers breakfast buffet coupons for $10. Call 954-771-0440 for the group rate and cutoff date details.
Online hotel reservations:
https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?app=resvlink&id=1753479046057&key=GRP
🚗 How to Get There
Travel to Fort Lauderdale, then route directly to 6650 North Andrews Avenue for the Fort Lauderdale Marriott North. If you drive, use the hotel parking that the special room rate includes.
Bring your best weekend focus, start strong in Round 1, and convert steady points into a prize finish in Fort Lauderdale.
Organizer
Boca Raton Chess Club is a US Chess affiliate club based in Boca Raton, Florida, United States. It supports rated play, tournament direction, and a consistent calendar for South Florida players. Moreover, the club welcomes visiting competitors who want serious games in a well-managed setting. Through weekly rated events and larger weekend opens, the organization keeps members active, helps newer players learn tournament routines, and gives experienced competitors a dependable place to test openings, calculate under time pressure, and review games with peers after each round.
The club organizes the 13th Annual Summer Solstice Open in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In addition, the tournament offers multiple rating sections and a classical schedule across the holiday weekend. The event is part of the US Chess Grand Prix program and typically includes both US Chess-rated sections and FIDE-rated sections, which allows many participants to track progress in their preferred rating system while playing under consistent rules, dedicated tournament direction, and published tie-break procedures. Therefore, players can choose a section that matches their rating, goals, and time commitment.
Boca Raton Chess Club also supports scholastic chess through structured youth tournaments and coaching pathways. Furthermore, its staff emphasizes fair play procedures, punctual round starts, and clear communication. Because most coordination happens in advance by email and phone, participants usually arrive with confirmed registration details, schedule expectations, hotel parking notes, and venue guidance, which reduces last-minute questions, keeps the playing hall focused and quiet once games begin, and supports a smoother awards process at the end of the weekend. Consequently, many competitors return each year for a professional tournament experience in South Florida.
Email: jon@bocachess.com
Phone: 561-302-4377
Website: https://www.bocachess.com/
Main contact: Jon Haskel