Celebrate New Year’s Weekend (January 2–4, 2026) with three invigorating days of chess competition at the 14th Annual Boston Chess Congress, hosted in the picturesque setting of Boston, Massachusetts. This lively event features multiple sections, FIDE- and USCF-rated play, and a solid prize fund to offer excellent value for players across all levels.
Held at the elegant Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor, the Boston Chess Congress combines strong tournament structure with a welcoming atmosphere for both seasoned competitors and class-players alike. Whether you’re aiming high in the Premier section or contesting your class group, this event promises a well-organised weekend of chess in one of New England’s premier venues.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | Friday, January 2 – Sunday, January 4, 2026 (2-day option: Saturday Jan 3 – Sunday Jan 4) |
| 📍 Location | Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor, 101 Harborside Drive, Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| ♟️ Format | 5-round Swiss (40/80; SD/30) for 3-day; 3-round (G/60; d10) for 2-day option |
| 💵 Entry Fee | $88 by December 30; $100 online or on-site thereafter; U1200 Section: $68 standard |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated in top sections, USCF-rated in all; Grand Prix points: 80 (Enhanced) |
| ✅ Eligibility | Open to all players; re-entry permitted (except Premier to Premier) |
| 🎯 Prize Fund | $12,000 Guaranteed across six sections |
| 🔧 Additional | Mixed-Doubles Bonus: best male+female team combined score $800-$400-$200; half‐point bye option (2 byes) must commit before Round 2 |
🏆 Prize Fund
| Section | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier (2000+/over) | $1,200 | $600 | $400 |
| Champ U2300 (within Premier) | $500 | $250 | — |
| Under 2100 | $1,000 | $500 | $300 |
| Under 1900 | $1,000 | $500 | $300 |
| Under 1700 | $900 | $500 | $300 |
| Under 1500 | $800 | $400 | $300 |
| Under 1200 | $400 | $200 | $150 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Standard 3-day sections: 40 moves in 80 minutes + then sudden-death 30 minutes; 30-second delay from move 1.
2-day option (Rounds 1–2 G/60; d10) available for Saturday/Sunday entrants.
Swiss pairings; sections may be combined or split based on turnout.
Equipment: clocks and sets recommended (subject to availability on site).
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Premier | USCF 2000+ / stronger players |
| Under 2100 | Players rated under 2100 |
| Under 1900 | Players rated under 1900 |
| Under 1700 | Players rated under 1700 |
| Under 1500 | Players rated under 1500 |
| Under 1200 | Players rated under 1200 |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jan 2 | 7:00 PM | Round 1 (3-day) |
| Sat, Jan 3 | 11:00 AM | Round 2 (3-day) & Round 1 (2-day) |
| Sat, Jan 3 | 5:00 PM | Round 3 (3-day) & Round 2 (2-day) |
| Sun, Jan 4 | 10:00 AM | Round 4 (3-day) & Round 3 (2-day) |
| Sun, Jan 4 | 3:30 PM | Round 5 (3-day) |
📝 Registration
Online registration via https://www.chesstour.com/bcc26.htm
Entry fee deadlines: $88 by December 30; $100 thereafter. U1200 Section reduced fee.
Mixed-Doubles team bonus available (no extra fee) — register by 2 pm Saturday.
Re-entry allowed with $50 fee (not permitted for Premier→Premier).
Byes: up to two half-point byes allowed; must commit before Round 2.
👥 Organizer
Organised by Continental Chess, a leading event provider in U.S. chess.
Email: director@chessaction.com
Website: https://www.chesstour.com
Phone: via Continental Chess contact page
🏨 Venue
All rounds played at the Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor, 101 Harborside Drive, Boston, MA 02128, USA. The hotel overlooks Boston Harbor and offers quality accommodation with on-site amenities.
🛎️ Accommodation
Players are encouraged to reserve rooms at the Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor using the tournament “Chess Rate” (deadline December 13, 2025). Group rates and local hotel alternatives are listed on the registration site.
🚗 How to Get There
Nearest airport: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) — ~15 minutes by taxi or ride-share.
Parking: Hotel parking rates available via chessevents.us website; spaces not guaranteed.
From downtown Boston: Take I-93 North to Exit 26 (Storrow Drive/Harborside) and follow signs to Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor.
Wishing you bold openings, precise middlegames and satisfying endgame wins at the Boston Chess Congress!
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.