18th Annual New Year Bash 2026
You start the new chess year with the 18th Annual New Year Bash 2026, a one-day event on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Olathe, Kansas, USA. The tournament runs four classical games in a single day, with a US Chess dual-rated time control and a total $1,310 prize fund across three rating sections: Open, Reserve U1800, and Amateur U1400.
Acerook Chess Enterprises welcomes players from the Kansas City area and beyond to a compact, well-run weekend event with on-site hotel, comfortable playing space, and simple registration through KingRegistration. With one half-point bye option, clear sections, and friendly conditions, you can enjoy a full day of serious chess and still keep the rest of your weekend free.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | Saturday, January 3, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Hilton Garden Inn Olathe, 12080 South Strang Line Road, Olathe, Kansas, 66062 |
| ♟️ Format | 4-round Swiss, one day |
| ⭐ Rating | US Chess dual-rated (Regular & Quick) |
| 📂 Sections | Open • Reserve U1800 • Amateur U1400 (Jan 2026 rating supplement) |
| ⏱️ Time Control | Game/60 with 5-second delay |
| 🏆 Prize Fund | $1,310 total |
| ➕ Byes | 1 half-point bye in any round if you request it before Round 2 starts |
🏆 Prize Fund
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 💰 Total Fund | $1,310 across all sections |
| 🏅 Notes | Organizer distributes prizes across Open, Reserve U1800, and Amateur U1400 (exact breakdown published on site/at venue) |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
You play each game with:
• Game in 60 minutes plus 5-second delay from move one.
• 4-round Swiss system in all three sections, using the January 2026 rating supplement.
• You may request one half-point bye for any round, but you must do it before the start of Round 2.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Open | Open to all eligible players (top section) |
| Reserve U1800 | For players under 1800 (January 2026 rating supplement) |
| Amateur U1400 | For players under 1400 (January 2026 rating supplement) |
📅 Schedule
Saturday, January 3, 2026
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 3 | 08:00–09:00 | On-site registration |
| Sat, Jan 3 | 10:00 | Round 1 |
| Sat, Jan 3 | 12:45 | Round 2 |
| Sat, Jan 3 | 15:33 | Round 3 |
| Sat, Jan 3 | 18:00 | Round 4 |
If you register in advance and see your name on the online entry list, you do not need to check in during on-site registration.
📝 Registration
You register online through KingRegistration:
• Main entry (all non-K-12 players):
• $42 if you register by January 1
• $50 for late / on-site registration
• K-12 students (reduced-fee, no cash prizes and no contribution to prize fund):
• $22 if you register by January 1
• $30 for late / on-site registration
Registration link:
https://www.kingregistration.com/register/nyb2026
Tournament info page:
http://www.acerook.com/nyb2026
👥 Organizer
Acerook Chess Enterprises, LLC organizes and runs the event.
Contacts:
• Organizer: Acerook Chess Enterprises, LLC
• Email: AcerookChess@gmail.com
• Website: http://www.acerook.com/
🏨 Venue
You play at:
Hilton Garden Inn Olathe
12080 South Strang Line Road
Olathe, Kansas, 66062
The hotel provides modern meeting space suitable for four rounds in one day.
🛎️ Accommodation
The Hilton Garden Inn Olathe offers a special “HR” chess rate:
| Room Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard room | $119 per night, including hot breakfast, Wi-Fi, indoor pool, and gym access |
Reserve your room by December 5, 2025 to secure the rate; after that date, rates may rise and rooms may sell out. Use the hotel’s booking link from the tournament info page or contact the hotel directly and mention the event.
🚗 How to Get There
You reach the Hilton Garden Inn Olathe just off major routes in the Kansas City metro area at 12080 South Strang Line Road. Drivers can use standard GPS directions to the hotel address and park on-site; the location sits close to shopping and dining options for breaks between rounds.
Kick off your chess year with a focused one-day Swiss, fight for a share of the $1,310 prize fund, and enjoy competitive over-the-board play at the 18th Annual New Year Bash in Olathe!
🧾 Other
• Bring your own boards, sets, and clocks; Acerook provides only a limited number of loaner sets each round.
• Check the online entry list before the event so you know your registration went through.
• The organizer posts updates and live info through the Acerook website on the tournament day.