Elevate your summer chess ambitions at the 26th Annual Pittsburgh Open, a five-round Swiss-system tournament held July 18–20, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The Heritage-Event rated event unfolds at the DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh Green Tree, offering professional pairings, free parking, and USCF- and FIDE-rated competition. Featuring both three-day and two-day schedules, this Open appeals to ambitious masters, expert contenders, and rising juniors seeking Grand Prix points, prize incentives, and norm-eligible play.
Whether you aim for top-section glory in the Major (1900+) field, target a class-prize in U2100 or U1800, or compete in the U1500 or U1200 sections, the Pittsburgh Open delivers deep strategic battles and tension-filled finales. A friendly Mixed-Doubles side prize and an optional late-Saturday blitz add even more excitement to this long-running Grand Prix highlight.
🎯 EVENT DETAILS
| Dates: | July 18 – 20, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Tournament Type: | Classical (5-round Swiss; USCF & FIDE rated) |
| Total prize fund: | $13,000 USD (≈ €12,100) |
| Sections: | Major (1900+), U2100, U1800, U1500, U1200 |
| Place: | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Venue: | DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh Green Tree |
| Address: | 500 Mansfield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 |
| Organizer: | Continental Chess |
| Federation: | US Chess Federation |
| Time Control: | 40/80; SD/30; 30-sec delay (2-day option: G/60 + 10s) |
| Number of rounds: | 5 |
⏱ TIME CONTROL
Primary games use a 40 moves in 80 minutes, then 30 minutes to finish format, with a 30-second delay from move one. Players may choose a fast-track two-day option—Rounds 1–2 at G/60 + 10 sec delay on Saturday, then Rounds 3–5 Sunday—perfect for competitors on tighter schedules.
🗓 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
| Three-Day Option | Round | Start Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jul 18 | 1 | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, Jul 19 | 2 | 11:00 AM |
| 3 | 5:00 PM | |
| Sun, Jul 20 | 4 | 10:00 AM |
| 5 | 3:30 PM |
| Two-Day Option | Round | Start Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jul 19 | Rounds 1–2 | 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM |
| Sun, Jul 20 | Rounds 3–5 | 10:00 AM, 1:30 PM & 5:00 PM |
Players may request up to 2 half-point byes in advance of Round 2.
💰 PRIZE FUND
The $13,000 prize pool distributes awards in each section:
| Section | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major | $1,300 | $700 | $400 | $300 |
| U2100 | $1,000 | $500 | $300 | $200 |
| U1800 | $900 | $500 | $300 | $200 |
| U1500 | $800 | $400 | $300 | $200 |
| U1200 | $500 | $300 | $200 | $100 |
A best-male+female Mixed-Doubles team prize awards $600 / $300 to the top pairing by combined score. Unrated prize caps and other bonus awards apply—see onsite announcements.
📝 REGISTRATION
- Early-bird entry: $118 online by July 16; Regular: $130 thru site or onsite
- U1200 section fees: $98 / $110 respectively
- Grandmasters: $100 entry (deducted from prize winnings)
- Re-entry: $50 (no Major→Major)
- Refunds: $15 service charge
- How to register: Complete your entry at chessaction.com by one hour before Round 1
- Payment: Credit card only (no checks)
- Equipment: Bring your digital clock—boards/sets provided
✈️ TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION
The DoubleTree Green Tree sits adjacent to I-376 Exit 67 and offers free parking.
- By car: Direct access from I-376; follow signage to Mansfield Ave
- By air: Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is 18 miles west; rental cars available onsite
Hotel rate:
- $113/night (use “Chess Rate” when booking by July 9; call 412 922 8400 or 866 238 4218)
🏛️ ORGANIZER
Continental Chess specializes in staging high-caliber USCF events and Grand Prix series across Pennsylvania and beyond. For over two decades they have produced marquee tournaments such as the Pittsburgh Open, the Pennsylvania State Championship, and the Philadelphia International. Their professional team ensures clear communication, efficient pairings, and a welcoming atmosphere for players of all levels.
📞 CONTACT DETAILS
- Address: 500 Mansfield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15205, USA
- Email (main): director@chess.us
- Email (additional): info@chesstour.com
- Phone (main): (412) 922-8400
- Phone (additional): (866) 238-4218
🌟 WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE
By joining the 26th Annual Pittsburgh Open, you’ll compete in a time-tested Heritage Event with generous prizes, Grand Prix points, and norm-eligible play under FIDE and USCF rules. Whether you seek section titles, rating gains, or a spirited chess weekend in the Steel City, this Open delivers first-rate competition and camaraderie. Don’t miss your chance to make your next move at Pittsburgh’s premier summer chess festival!
Additional Details
Playing Venue - DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh Green Tree
Prize Fund - €12,100
Organizer - Continental Chess
Organizer Phone - (412) 922-8400
Organizer email - director@chess.us
Time control - 40/80; SD/30; 30-sec delay (2-day option: G/60 + 10s)
Number of rounds - 5
Tournament system - SWISS
Rating - FIDE
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.