31st Annual Bradley Open will take place from July 24 – 26, 2026, in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, USA. This is a chess tournament in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, USA, in 2026.
The tournament offers a 5-round Swiss format during a busy summer chess weekend near Bradley International Airport. Moreover, players can choose between a 3-day schedule and a 2-day schedule.
In addition, the event features five sections, a guaranteed prize fund, Grand Prix points, and FIDE-rated top sections. Therefore, the Bradley Open can suit strong players, class competitors, and improving club players.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| ♟️ Tournament | 31st Annual Bradley Open |
| 📅 Dates | July 24 – 26, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Windsor Locks, Connecticut, USA |
| 🏛️ Venue | Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport |
| 🧑💼 Organizer | Continental Chess |
| 🏆 Format | 5-round Swiss System |
| ⏱️ Main Time Control | 40 moves in 80 minutes, then sudden death in 30 minutes, with 30-second delay |
| ⏱️ 2-Day Early Rounds | Rounds 1–2 use G/60 with 10-second delay |
| 💰 Prize Fund | $15,000 guaranteed |
| 🧮 Rating Calculation | Major and Under 2100 sections are FIDE-rated; all sections are US Chess-rated |
| 🏅 Grand Prix Points | 120 Enhanced Grand Prix points |
| 👥 Sections | Major, Under 2100, Under 1800, Under 1500, Under 1200 |
| 💳 Entry Fee | $118 by July 21; $130 later or at site for top four sections |
| 🚗 Parking | Chess-rate parking: $5/day or $10 overnight |
| ♿ Accessibility | Accessible venue |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Main Schedule
The main 3-day schedule uses 40/80, SD/30, d30. Therefore, players receive 80 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second delay.
The tournament uses a 5-round Swiss System. In addition, the Major and Under 2100 sections are FIDE-rated.
2-Day Schedule
The 2-day schedule starts on Saturday. Rounds 1 and 2 use G/60 with a 10-second delay.
After that, the 2-day schedule merges into the main schedule. As a result, players can choose a shorter weekend option while still playing in the same overall event.
Byes and Re-Entry
Players may request up to two byes. However, all bye requests must be committed before Round 2.
Re-entry is available for $60, but players may not re-enter from Major to Major. Therefore, players should choose their first section and schedule carefully.
💰 Prize Fund
Prize Fund Overview
The tournament guarantees $15,000 in prizes. The prize structure covers five sections, class prizes, Mixed Doubles bonus prizes, and several rating-based awards.
Unrated prize limits apply in the Under 1200, Under 1500, and Under 1800 sections. Moreover, prizes that players do not claim on site are usually paid later through PayPal.
Major Section Prizes
| Prize Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $2,000 |
| 2nd place | $1,000 |
| 3rd place | $600 |
| 4th place | $400 |
| Clear / tiebreak winner bonus | $100 |
| Top USCF Under 2300 | $600 |
| 2nd USCF Under 2300 | $300 |
Under-2100 Prizes
| Prize Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $1,000 |
| 2nd place | $500 |
| 3rd place | $300 |
| 4th place | $200 |
| Top Under 1900 / Unrated | $400 |
| 2nd Under 1900 / Unrated | $200 |
Under-1800 Prizes
| Prize Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $1,000 |
| 2nd place | $500 |
| 3rd place | $300 |
| 4th place | $200 |
| Top Under 1600 | $400 |
| 2nd Under 1600 | $200 |
Under-1500 Prizes
| Prize Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $800 |
| 2nd place | $450 |
| 3rd place | $300 |
| 4th place | $200 |
| Top Under 1300 | $300 |
| 2nd Under 1300 | $150 |
Under-1200 Prizes
| Prize Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $600 |
| 2nd place | $400 |
| 3rd place | $200 |
| 4th place | $100 |
| Top Under 1000 | $200 |
| 2nd Under 1000 | $100 |
Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st team | $500 |
| 2nd team | $300 |
| 3rd team | $200 |
Mixed Doubles teams must include one male player and one female player. In addition, the team average must stay under 2200.
Teams may play in any sections and schedules. However, players must register the team at the site by 2:00 PM on Saturday.
🏆 Sections / Groups
Tournament Sections
| Section | Eligibility / Notes | Rating Status |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Players rated 1900 and over | FIDE-rated and US Chess-rated |
| Under 2100 | Players below 2100 | FIDE-rated and US Chess-rated |
| Under 1800 | Players below 1800 | US Chess-rated |
| Under 1500 | Players below 1500 | US Chess-rated |
| Under 1200 | Players below 1200 | US Chess-rated |
The five-section structure gives players a clear rating path. Therefore, strong players, class players, and lower-rated competitors can all find a suitable section.
Rating and Prize Notes
July official ratings apply. In addition, unofficial US Chess ratings or US Chess Online Regular ratings may apply when a player would otherwise be unrated.
Players may not play below their US Chess Online Regular Rating minus 100 points. Moreover, unrated prize limits apply in selected lower sections.
📅 Schedule
3-Day Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| July 24, 2026 | 18:00 | Registration ends for 3-day schedule |
| July 24, 2026 | 19:00 | Round 1 |
| July 25, 2026 | 11:00 | Round 2 |
| July 25, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 3 |
| July 26, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 4 |
| July 26, 2026 | 15:30 | Round 5 |
2-Day Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| July 25, 2026 | 10:00 | Registration ends for 2-day schedule |
| July 25, 2026 | 11:00 | Round 1 |
| July 25, 2026 | 14:00 | Round 2 |
| July 25, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 3 |
| July 26, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 4 |
| July 26, 2026 | 15:30 | Round 5 |
Blitz Side Event
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| July 25, 2026 | 21:10 | Blitz entry deadline at site |
| July 25, 2026 | 21:30 | Blitz tournament |
The blitz tournament takes place on Saturday night. Therefore, players who want extra games should register on site before the listed deadline.
📝 Registration
Entry Fees
| Registration Type | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Top four sections by July 21 | $118 |
| Top four sections later or at site | $130 |
| Under 1200 section | $10 less than the listed entry fee |
| CSCA or WMCA members, online entry | $3 discount |
| Re-entry | $60 |
Players should enter online before July 21 to use the lower fee. In addition, no mail entries are accepted.
No checks are accepted at the site. However, credit cards are accepted.
Registration Notes
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Online entry | Available through the organizer’s entry system |
| Same-site registration | Ends 1 hour before Round 1 for the selected schedule |
| Refund service charge | $15 |
| GM prize rule | $100 deducted from prize |
| Equipment | Bring set, board, and clock if possible |
Players should bring chess equipment if possible because sets, boards, and clocks are not supplied. Therefore, bringing a full set can help avoid delays before each round.
🧑💼 Organizer
Continental Chess organizes the 31st Annual Bradley Open as part of its established national tournament calendar. As a result, players can expect a familiar multi-section weekend format with clear schedules and guaranteed prizes.
Moreover, the tournament carries Heritage Event, Grand Prix, Enhanced Grand Prix, and Junior Grand Prix status. This gives the event extra appeal for players who follow major US Chess tournament circuits.
Email: director@chess.us
📍 Venue
Playing Hall
Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport – 1 Bradley Airport, Windsor Locks, CT 06096, United States
Venue Notes
The tournament takes place at the Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport. Therefore, players should use the Bradley Airport address when planning local arrival.
The hotel is visible from I-91 Exit 40 at the airport entrance. In addition, the airport setting makes the venue practical for both drivers and players arriving by air.
🏨 Accommodation
Official Hotel
| Hotel | Rate / Details |
|---|---|
| Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport | $169 per night |
| Booking deadline | Reserve by July 9, or the rate may increase |
| Phone | +1 860 627 5311 |
| Parking | $5/day chess-rate parking; $10 overnight |
Players should reserve rooms early to secure the listed chess rate. Moreover, staying at the playing site can make the weekend schedule easier.
The hotel’s airport location is useful for visiting players. As a result, participants can reduce transfer time after arriving at Bradley International Airport.
✈️ How to Get There
Travel to Windsor Locks
Windsor Locks is located in Connecticut near Bradley International Airport. Therefore, players can arrive by air, car, or regional transport.
Drivers can use I-91 Exit 40 and continue toward the airport entrance. In addition, the hotel location makes arrival simple for players coming from Connecticut, Massachusetts, or nearby states.
Local Planning
The 3-day schedule starts on Friday evening at 19:00. Meanwhile, the 2-day schedule starts on Saturday morning at 11:00.
Therefore, players should choose the schedule that best fits their travel plan. They should also allow time for parking, hotel check-in, and registration before the first round.
ℹ️ Other Information
World Open Rule
Players who scored 8 or more points in the 2026 World Open Under 2200 or lower sections must enter a higher section than they played in the World Open.
This rule can affect section choice. Therefore, players who competed strongly at the World Open should check eligibility before registering.
Player Equipment
Players should bring a chess set, board, and clock if possible. The organizer states that equipment is not supplied.
This detail is important for both local and traveling players. As a result, participants should pack equipment before leaving for the venue.
Prize Payment Notes
Prizes not claimed at the site are usually paid later through PayPal. However, payment may take about three weeks.
Finally, the 31st Annual Bradley Open offers a strong guaranteed prize fund, five competitive sections, flexible schedules, and a practical airport-hotel venue in Connecticut.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $15,000
Organizer
♟️ Organizer Identity
Continental Chess Association is a national chess organizer in the United States. Bill Goichberg founded the business in 1964. From 1964 to 1967, it ran events only in the New York City area. In 1968, it expanded beyond that base and adopted the Continental Chess Association name. The official CCA history says the organizer has held more than 2,300 tournaments in 28 states, Washington, DC, and the Bahamas. It also says CCA has awarded more than $24,000,000 in prize money. CCA is not a membership organization, but it is affiliated with US Chess and requires US Chess membership for its tournaments. Over many years, it has been one of the most visible open-event organizers in American chess.
🏆 Tournament Activity
Tournament organization is the center of CCA’s public work. Its official platforms describe a coast-to-coast calendar for players of all ages, from beginners to grandmasters, with online registration and published pairings through ChessAction. The current and recent official schedule includes the Chicago Open, World Open, Continental Open, National Chess Congress, and North American Open. These events form a recognizable annual circuit in American open chess. The official event pages also show the scale of that calendar. In 2025, the World Open advertised $208,000 guaranteed in its top six sections, while the North American Open carried US Chess Grand Prix status. This activity reflects a long-running organizer that focuses on large multi-section Swiss events, established holiday-weekend festivals, and broad national reach.
🌍 Long-Term Impact
CCA’s longer history is unusually important in American chess. Its official history credits the organizer with several early developments that later became standard. In 1966, it became the first organizer to hold USCF-rated scholastic tournaments and elementary school tournaments. It later originated the National High School Championship in 1969, the National Junior High School Championship in 1973, the National Elementary School Championship in 1976, and the National Scholastic K-12 Grade Championship in 1991. The same history also credits CCA with pioneering Swiss international events and norm opportunities in the United States. CCA says that from 1977 to 1993, about half of all Americans who achieved the IM or GM title made one or more norms in a CCA international event. The organizer also launched the World Open in 1973, and its history states that the 1986 World Open drew 1,506 players, a world record for open tournaments that still stands.
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