20th annual LOS ANGELES OPEN (7–9 November 2025, Irvine, CA, USA)
The 20th annual Los Angeles Open returns on 7–9 November 2025 at the Hilton Orange County Airport in Irvine, delivering a national‑class open with an Enhanced Grand Prix designation and a $20,000 guaranteed prize fund. Choose the 3‑day or 2‑day schedule, compete across seven sections, and enjoy smooth organization with on‑site blitz, convenient parking, and airport shuttle.
📌 Event Details
| 📅 Dates | 7–9 November 2025 (Fri–Sun) · 2‑day option (Sat–Sun) available |
| 📍 Location | Irvine, California (USA) |
| 🏟️ Venue | Hilton Orange County Airport, 18800 MacArthur Blvd, Irvine CA 92612 |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | US Chess Grand Prix (Enhanced 120 pts); selected sections FIDE‑rated |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | 5 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 3‑day: 40/80, SD/30; d30 · 2‑day: R1‑2 G/60; d10 (then merge to long control) |
| 🧑⚖️ Chief Arbiter | IA/NTA David Hater |
| 🏢 Organizer | Continental Chess Association |
| 💲 Prize Fund | $20,000 guaranteed |
| 🅿️ Parking | $18/day chess rate |
| 🚌 Amenities | Free hotel airport shuttle · pool · fitness center · free Wi‑Fi |
💰 Prize Fund (Guaranteed $20,000)
Major (1900+, FIDE‑rated)
| Main | $2,000 – $1,000 – $600 – $400 (clear/tiebreak winner +$100) |
| Top USCF U2300 | $800 – $400 |
Under Sections
| Section | Prizes |
|---|---|
| U2100 (FIDE) | $1,400 – $700 – $400 – $300 |
| U1900 (FIDE) | $1,400 – $700 – $400 – $300 |
| U1700 | $1,200 – $600 – $400 – $300 |
| U1500 | $1,100 – $600 – $300 – $200 |
| U1300 | $1,100 – $600 – $300 – $200 |
| U1000 | $500 – $250 – $150 – $100 |
Mixed Doubles Bonus (all sections combined)
Best male+female two‑player team (average <2200): $600 – $400 – $200.
Teams may play different sections/schedules; register on‑site by Sat 2:00 pm. One prize per team.
Unrated prize limits: U1000 $100; U1300 $200; U1500 $300; U1700 $400; U1900 $500 (limits don’t apply to Mixed Doubles; balance goes to next eligible player).
Ratings used: November USCF ratings (online regular/unofficial may apply if otherwise unrated).
Section placement: Cannot play below online regular rating minus 100.
🧩 Sections
- Major (1900+) — FIDE rated
- U2100 — FIDE rated
- U1900 — FIDE rated
- U1700
- U1500
- U1300
- U1000
Seven sections total; one prize per player (except Mixed Doubles).
📅 Schedules (merge after Round 2)
3‑Day (Fri–Sun)
- Registration: Fri until 6:00 pm
- Rd 1: Fri 7:00 pm
- Rd 2: Sat 11:00 am
- Rd 3: Sat 5:00 pm
- Rd 4: Sun 10:00 am
- Rd 5: Sun 3:30 pm → awards after Rd 5
2‑Day (Sat–Sun)
- Registration: Sat until 10:00 am
- Rd 1: Sat 11:00 am (G/60; d10)
- Rd 2: Sat 2:00 pm (G/60; d10)
- Rd 3: Sat 5:00 pm (merges to long control)
- Rd 4: Sun 10:00 am
- Rd 5: Sun 3:30 pm
Byes: up to 2, any rounds; must be requested before Rd 2.
Re‑entry: $60 (not Major‑to‑Major).
📝 Entry & Fees
- Top 6 sections EF: $128 online (through Tue 11/4), then $150 online/on‑site until 1 hour before Rd 1
- U1000 EF: $40 less than top sections at each tier
- GM policy: $100 deducted from prize
- SCCF members: $5 online entry discount
- Payment: Credit cards accepted; no checks; refunds less $15 service charge
- Blitz side event: Sat 9:30 pm; enter on‑site by 9:10 pm (separate EF/prizes)
🏟️ Venue
Hilton Orange County Airport — across from SNA area, bright ballrooms, skittles space, chess parking rate $18/day, free hotel shuttle.
🛏️ Accommodation (Chess Rate)
- $169 per night (Fri–Mon, single/double), limited block
- Book via hotel link or call and request the “Chess rate”
- Reservation deadline: Fri 10/17
🚗 How to Get There
- By Air: Fly into SNA (John Wayne Airport); free hotel shuttle to venue
- By Car: Near I‑405 off MacArthur Blvd; on‑site self‑parking at chess rate
- Public Transport: Local bus and ride‑share options around airport/Irvine business district
Bright halls, smooth organization, and big‑field prizes — the Los Angeles Open is SoCal’s marquee fall open, welcoming rising talents and seasoned masters alike.
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.