35th Annual Chicago Open runs May 21-25, 2026 in Wheeling, Illinois, United States and anchors Memorial Day Weekend with a flagship Swiss tournament that attracts titled players, serious amateurs, and ambitious juniors. Continental Chess offers eight rating-based sections and combines a premier Open with deep class competition, which helps every player find a realistic prize target. The event guarantees a $100,000 cash prize fund and publishes full payouts across all sections, so players can plan risk and reward before round one. The Open section delivers a full 9-round classical test and supports GM and IM norm opportunities. The Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel hosts the full schedule with free parking, which keeps the weekend practical for both travelers and local players.

Chicago Open schedules give players flexibility without weakening competitive integrity, since the U2300 through U1300 sections merge schedules and compete for the same prizes. US Chess rates the event, and FIDE also rates the top three sections, which makes strong performances count in both systems where applicable. The Open and upper sections use a classical control with delay, while the U1000 section uses a faster long-game control that still rewards technique and endgame accuracy. The organizers publish clear byes, prize limits, and device-search rules to protect fair play. If you want a high-stakes American open with multiple entry options and a proven prize structure, this weekend delivers.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

Open Section

Under-2300

Under-2100

Under-1900

Under-1700

Under-1500

Under-1300

Under-1000

Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes (best male + female 2-player team combined score in Rounds 1–7)

The organizers apply prize limits when a post-event Regular OTB or Regular Online rating posted from May 20, 2025 to May 20, 2026, or a current Online Regular rating, exceeds the section maximum by more than 40 points, and the organizers cap that prize at $800. Players with under 26 lifetime rated games as of the May 2026 official US Chess list face maximum prize caps by section: $500 (U1000), $1,000 (U1300), $1,500 (U1500), $2,000 (U1700), and $2,500 (U1900). The organizers also cap unrated prizes by section: $200 (U1000), $300 (U1300), $400 (U1500), $600 (U1700), $800 (U1900), and $1,200 (U2100), and they pass the remaining balance of any limited prize to the next eligible player(s) in line. The organizers usually pay unclaimed prizes by PayPal after the event.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The Open section runs a 9-round Swiss with 40 moves in 80 minutes, then game in 30 minutes, with a 30-second delay, and the event can support GM and IM norms. The U2300 through U1300 sections run a 7-round Swiss with the same classical control, and the 3-day option uses G/60 with a 10-second delay for rounds 1–2. The U1000 section runs a 7-round Swiss with G/60 and a 10-second delay. US Chess uses May official ratings for U2300 and below, and the organizers usually use unofficial uschess.org ratings or US Chess Online Regular ratings when a player otherwise lacks a rating; the Open section uses FIDE ratings for entry and section placement. The organizers allow byes in all sections with a limit of three byes total and a limit of two byes in the last four rounds, and players must commit byes before round 3.

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

Open Section (5-day schedule, May 21–25)

U2300 through U1300 (4-day schedule, May 22–25)

U2300 through U1300 (3-day schedule, May 23–25)

U1000 (2-day schedule, May 24–25)

📝 Registration

Enter online at:
https://chessaction.com

The organizers set the Open–U1300 entry fee at $207 online by March 19, 2026, $227 online by May 19, 2026, and $250 later online or on-site until one hour before round 1, and they do not accept checks. The organizers set the U1000 entry fee at $97 online by May 19, 2026 and $120 later online or on-site until one hour before round 1, and they do not accept checks. The organizers charge an extra $500 to play in the Open section unless a player holds at least a 2300 US Chess rating or a 2000 FIDE rating. The organizers offer a $5 online discount to Illinois Chess Association members, and they offer a $100 discount to seniors age 65 and over in U1300 and above.

US Chess membership is required, and players can purchase a 1-year US Chess membership with magazine when they pay online with entry: Adult $54, Senior (65+) $48, Young Adult $33, Youth $24. The organizers do not accept mail entries. The organizers allow re-entry for $100, but they do not allow Open-to-Open re-entry. The organizers charge a $15 service fee for refunds. The organizers ask players to bring a set, board, and clock when possible, since they do not supply equipment.

👥 Organizer

Continental Chess Association runs the Chicago Open series and delivers this Memorial Day Weekend flagship with published schedules, established rating rules, and a guaranteed prize fund across eight sections.

• Email: director@chess.us

• Phone: 347-201-2269

• Website: https://www.chesstour.com

🏨 Venue

Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090, United States
The tournament plays at the Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel in Wheeling, Illinois.  You can complete the full weekend schedule on-site across all tournament sections.

🛎️ Accommodation

Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090, United States
The organizers list hotel rates at $138 per night under the chess rate, subject to availability. Reserve by May 7, 2026, since the rate may increase and the hotel may sell out before that date.

Hotel booking site:
https://www.chessevents.us

Hotel phone (mention chess rate): 800-937-8461, 847-777-6500

🚗 How to Get There

Drive to Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel at 601 North Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090. From Chicago, take I-294 north to US-45 north. From Milwaukee, take I-94 east to Lake Cook Road, then take US-45 south. Use the venue’s free parking for straightforward arrival on any schedule.

Bring disciplined time management and convert Memorial Day Weekend into a result that matches the Chicago Open’s elite tradition.

🧾 Other

The organizers require players to cooperate with an electronic-device search if the director requests it. The organizers do not allow players to compete in U2300 and below when a player’s rating falls more than 100 points below that player’s Online Regular Rating. Chicago Open Blitz runs Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 10:00 PM, and the organizers close blitz entry at 9:00 PM.