2026 U.S. Women’s Open takes place from June 10-11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. This is a chess tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2026. The event features a 5-round Swiss format, one section, a classical time control of G/90 with a 30-second increment, and a guaranteed cash prize fund. In addition, the tournament is part of the Las Vegas International Chess Festival and awards a national championship title.
Moreover, 2026 U.S. Women’s Open gives women players a focused national-level over-the-board chess event in Las Vegas. Because the winner becomes a US Chess National Champion and receives the Women’s Open Cup, the tournament carries significance beyond the prize list alone. Furthermore, the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino provides a practical hotel venue for players who want to combine tournament play and lodging in one location.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | June 10-11, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, 3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA |
| ♟️ Format | 5-round Swiss |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated |
| 📂 Sections | 1 |
| ⏱️ Time control | G/90 + 30-second increment |
| 💳 Entry fee | USD 125 by May 26; USD 150 later |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 5,000 (approx.) |
| 👤 Eligibility | Open national championship event for women |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Winner becomes a US Chess National Champion and receives the Women’s Open Cup; two half-point byes allowed |
🏆 Prize Fund
The guaranteed total cash prize fund is USD 5,000. In addition, the event offers both overall prizes and rating-class prizes.
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | USD 1,500 |
| 2nd Place | USD 800 |
| 3rd Place | USD 500 |
| U2000 1st | USD 500 |
| U2000 2nd | USD 300 |
| U1800 1st | USD 350 |
| U1800 2nd | USD 200 |
| U1600 1st | USD 300 |
| U1600 2nd | USD 200 |
| U1400 1st | USD 200 |
| U1400 2nd | USD 150 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Each game uses 90 minutes per player with a 30-second increment from move one. Therefore, the event clearly belongs to the classical chess tournament category rather than rapid or blitz.
The competition follows a 5-round Swiss system over two days. In addition, players may take up to two half-point byes in any round. Because the event is FIDE rated and also serves as a national championship event, it can appeal to players who want both title significance and strong competitive games.
📂 Sections / Groups
The tournament runs as a single section. As a result, all participants compete in one main field while also remaining eligible for the published rating-class prizes.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 10, 2026 | Wednesday | 8:30 AM-9:00 AM | Late registration |
| June 10, 2026 | Wednesday | 9:30 AM | Round 1 |
| June 10, 2026 | Wednesday | 2:30 PM | Round 2 |
| June 10, 2026 | Wednesday | 7:00 PM | Round 3 |
| June 11, 2026 | Thursday | 9:30 AM | Round 4 |
| June 11, 2026 | Thursday | 2:00 PM | Round 5 |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Online registration or mail entry |
| Entry fee | USD 125 by May 26; USD 150 later |
| Deadlines | Lower entry fee available through May 26 |
| Check-in rules | Late registration available from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM on the first day |
| Payment method | Mail entries accepted by Vegas Chess Festivals |
| Organizer notes | Phone line is for information only; no phone entries accepted |
👥 Organizer
Vegas Chess Festivals organizes 2026 U.S. Women’s Open as part of its major annual chess program in Las Vegas. In addition, the organizer runs the broader Las Vegas International Chess Festival, which includes multiple tournament formats and side events. Because of that experience, players can expect a structured festival setting and a well-established national event environment.
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Address: PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0925, USA
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Email: info@vegaschess.com
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Phone: +1 702 930 9550
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Website: https://vegaschess.com/
🏨 Venue
Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, 3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA
The playing site is a major hotel venue in Las Vegas, which makes the event practical for both local players and visitors. In addition, the tournament forms part of a larger chess festival at the same location, so players can enjoy a full event atmosphere across several days. The hotel setting also helps simplify tournament logistics between rounds.
🛎️ Accommodation
Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, 3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA
The organizer lists a limited number of rooms at USD 114 for single or double occupancy, with Friday and Saturday night rates at USD 154. In addition, the resort fee is discounted to USD 29. The special hotel rate cutoff is May 18, although weekend rates may increase earlier.
🚗 How to Get There
The venue is on Paradise Road in Las Vegas, so players arriving by car can reach the hotel directly through the city’s main road network. In addition, the organizer offers free parking, which adds practical value for local participants and visitors with rental cars.
Meanwhile, out-of-town players can keep travel simple by staying at the playing site. Because the tournament takes place at a major Las Vegas hotel, airport transfers, rideshare access, and on-site lodging can make the event much easier to manage.
If you want a national women’s chess championship event with a guaranteed prize fund, a respected title at stake, and a practical Las Vegas festival setting, 2026 U.S. Women’s Open offers a strong competitive opportunity.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $5,000