
15th Annual Hartford Open takes place from June 5-7, 2026 in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, USA. This is a chess tournament in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, in 2026. The event features a 5-round Swiss format, five sections, a 3-day and 2-day schedule option, and a guaranteed cash prize fund. In addition, the top two sections are FIDE rated, while all sections are US Chess rated.
Moreover, 15th Annual Hartford Open gives players a strong weekend over-the-board option near Bradley International Airport. Because the event combines multiple rating sections with flexible scheduling, it can appeal both to experienced competitors and to ambitious club players. Furthermore, the Windsor Locks hotel venue and free parking make this chess tournament in Connecticut especially practical for local players and visitors.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | June 5-7, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport, 1 Bradley Airport, Windsor Locks, CT 06096, USA |
| ♟️ Format | 5-round Swiss |
| ⭐ Rating | Major and Under 2100 sections are FIDE rated; all sections are US Chess rated |
| 📂 Sections | 5 |
| ⏱️ Time control | 40/80, SD/30 with 30-second increment; 2-day option Rounds 1-2 at G/60 d10 |
| 💳 Entry fee | Top 4 sections: USD 93 online in advance; Under 1200: USD 25 in advance |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 10,000 (approx.) |
| 👥 Capacity | 200 |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | US Chess Grand Prix Points: 60 enhanced; two half-point byes allowed with advance commitment |
🏆 Prize Fund
The guaranteed total cash prize fund is USD 10,000. In addition, the event awards cash prizes across all five sections.
Major
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | USD 1,200 |
| 2nd Place | USD 600 |
| 3rd Place | USD 300 |
| Top U2300 | USD 400 |
| Top U2300 2nd | USD 200 |
Under-2100
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | USD 900 |
| 2nd Place | USD 500 |
| 3rd Place | USD 300 |
| Top U1900/Unrated | USD 400 |
| Top U1900/Unrated 2nd | USD 200 |
Under-1800
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | USD 800 |
| 2nd Place | USD 500 |
| 3rd Place | USD 300 |
| Top U1600 | USD 300 |
| Top U1600 2nd | USD 150 |
Under-1500
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | USD 700 |
| 2nd Place | USD 400 |
| 3rd Place | USD 250 |
| Top U1300 | USD 300 |
| Top U1300 2nd | USD 150 |
Under-1200
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | USD 400 |
| 2nd Place | USD 200 |
| 3rd Place | USD 100 |
Unrated prize limits apply in some sections. The limit is USD 100 in Under 1200, USD 200 in Under 1500, and USD 300 in Under 1800. In addition, any remaining balance from a limited unrated prize goes to the next eligible player.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a 5-round Swiss structure. First, the main 3-day schedule follows a classical format of 40 moves in 80 minutes, then sudden death in 30 minutes, with a 30-second increment. Therefore, the event offers a serious classical weekend format rather than a rapid or blitz structure.
Meanwhile, the 2-day option compresses the opening part of the tournament. In that schedule, Rounds 1 and 2 use G/60 with a 10-second delay before the event merges into the standard schedule. Additionally, players may take up to two half-point byes, provided they commit in advance.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Open to higher-rated players | FIDE rated |
| Under 2100 | Players under 2100 | FIDE rated |
| Under 1800 | Players under 1800 | Standard class section |
| Under 1500 | Players under 1500 | Standard class section |
| Under 1200 | Players under 1200 | Entry-fee-reduced section |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 5, 2026 | Friday | 6:00 PM | Registration ends for 3-day schedule |
| June 5, 2026 | Friday | 7:00 PM | Round 1 for 3-day schedule |
| June 6, 2026 | Saturday | 10:00 AM | Registration ends for 2-day schedule |
| June 6, 2026 | Saturday | 11:00 AM | Round 2 for 3-day schedule |
| June 6, 2026 | Saturday | 11:00 AM | Round 1 for 2-day schedule |
| June 6, 2026 | Saturday | 2:00 PM | Round 2 for 2-day schedule |
| June 6, 2026 | Saturday | 5:00 PM | Round 3 |
| June 7, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 AM | Round 4 |
| June 7, 2026 | Sunday | 3:15 PM | Round 5 |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Online registration |
| Entry fee | Top 4 sections: USD 93 online in advance; Under 1200: USD 25 in advance |
| Membership requirement | US Chess membership required |
| Check-in rules | 3-day registration ends Friday at 6:00 PM; 2-day registration ends Saturday at 10:00 AM |
| Capacity rules | Limited to 200 players |
| Payment method | Advance online entry |
| Organizer notes | Two half-point byes permitted with advance commitment |
👥 Organizer
Continental Chess Association organizes 15th Annual Hartford Open as part of its long-running calendar of major weekend tournaments across the United States. In addition, the organizer is well known for multi-section open events that combine strong prize funds with practical schedules and hotel venues. Because of that experience, players can expect a structured event with clear section rules and established tournament administration.
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Address: PO Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803, USA
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Email: director@chess.us
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Website: https://www.chesstour.com/
🏨 Venue
Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport, 1 Bradley Airport, Windsor Locks, CT 06096, USA
The playing site sits at Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, which gives the tournament a convenient travel location for weekend players. In addition, the hotel venue keeps tournament play and lodging close together. Free parking also makes arrival easier for players driving to the event.
🛎️ Accommodation
Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport, 1 Bradley Airport, Windsor Locks, CT 06096, USA
The organizer uses the Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport as the official tournament hotel. In addition, players can stay on site, which helps simplify logistics between rounds and reduces local travel during the weekend.
🚗 How to Get There
The venue is visible at the airport entrance and can be reached from I-91 via Exit 40 to Route 20. Therefore, players arriving by car can reach the hotel directly through a straightforward highway approach.
Meanwhile, the airport location also benefits out-of-town participants. Because the hotel is next to Bradley International Airport, players flying in can keep local travel to a minimum. As a result, this chess event in Windsor Locks works well for both regional players and visiting competitors.
If you want a well-established Connecticut weekend open with multiple sections, flexible scheduling, and a solid guaranteed prize fund, 15th Annual Hartford Open offers a strong competitive option near Bradley Airport.