2026 Great Lakes Festival
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The Great Lakes Chess Festival returns to Lansing over Memorial Day with multi‑section play and a community feel.
A Midwest favorite with a full holiday chess experience.
Event Details
| 📅 Dates | 22 – 25 May 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Lansing, Michigan, USA |
| 🏟️ Venue | Radisson Hotel Lansing at the Capitol |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | US Chess rated (Open FIDE‑rated if announced) |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | 7 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 40/90, SD/30 + 30s |
| 💰 Prize Fund | $10,000 guaranteed |
Prize Fund
| Section | 1st–3rd | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open | $2,000 / $1,200 / $800 | U2200 class prizes |
| U2000 | $1,500 / $900 / $500 | Class prizes |
| U1600 | $1,000 / $600 / $400 | Class prizes |
| U1200 & Scholastic | $600 / $400 / $200 | Top juniors trophies |
Time Control & Tournament System
- 7‑round Swiss
- Time control: 40/90, SD/30, +30s
- Tiebreaks: Solkoff → Modified Median → Cumulative
Sections / Groups
- Open
- U2000
- U1600
- U1200/Scholastic
Schedule
| Date | Event / Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, May 22 | Registration & Rd 1 | 19:00 |
| Sat, May 23 | Rounds 2–3 | 10:00 / 17:00 |
| Sun, May 24 | Rounds 4–5 | 10:00 / 17:00 |
| Mon, May 25 | Rounds 6–7 & Awards | 09:00 / 15:00 |
Registration
Advance entry $100–$140; $160 on site. US Chess required.
Organizer
Michigan Chess Association (MCA) — official US Chess affiliate for Michigan.
- Email: info@michess.org
- Website: michess.org
Venue
Radisson Hotel Lansing at the Capitol — downtown venue with meeting space.
Accommodation
Chess rate at Radisson; several downtown hotels within walking distance.
How to Get There
- By Air: Lansing (LAN) ~15 min
- By Car: I‑96 / I‑69 / US‑127 network
A long weekend of tournament chess and Midwest hospitality.