The 35th Annual Kings Island Open takes place from November 13–15 or November 14–15, 2026 in Blue Ash, Ohio. The long-running Continental Chess Association event offers both three-day and two-day schedules and a $25,000 guaranteed prize fund.

Players compete in seven rating sections over five rounds. The main time control is 40 moves in 80 minutes, then 30 minutes sudden death, with a 30-second delay; players on the two-day schedule use faster G/60;d10 games for the first two rounds before merging with the three-day schedule.

The event is a US Chess Heritage Tournament and carries 150 enhanced Grand Prix points. The 2026 program also includes mixed doubles, a Saturday night blitz, hotel packages with breakfast, re-entry options and detailed unrated-player prize limits.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The principal sections use 40 moves in 80 minutes, then sudden death in 30 minutes, with a 30-second delay. Players choosing the two-day schedule play their first two games at G/60;d10, then merge with the three-day schedule.

Byes

Up to two half-point byes are available under the event rules. Players must commit to requested byes by the organizer’s stated Round 2 deadline.

Ratings

US Chess ratings are used for pairings, eligibility and prize purposes under the published Continental Chess rules. Players near a section boundary should review the event page for the applicable November rating list and any peak-rating restrictions.

🏆 Prize Fund

The main tournament guarantees $25,000 across seven sections.

Section Prizes

The Major and Under 2100 sections are FIDE rated. The Major is open to players rated 1900 and above under the organizer’s peak-rating rules.

Mixed Doubles

The event also offers a no-extra-fee Mixed Doubles competition with $800 / $400 / $200 prizes. The team average must be below 2200 and the team must be registered by the published Saturday deadline.

Unrated Players

Unrated players are subject to section-specific cash-prize caps. Players without an established US Chess rating should check the registration page carefully before choosing a section.

Blitz Side Event

A separate Kings Island Blitz is scheduled for Saturday, November 14 at approximately 9:30 PM. It is advertised as eight games / four double rounds at G/3;d2 with a separate $500 guaranteed fund. That side-event amount is not included in the $25,000 main-tournament metadata.

♟️ Sections / Groups

November Official ratings are used. An unofficial or US Chess Online Regular rating may be used when a player would otherwise be unrated, and a player may not enter a section more than 100 points below the relevant US Chess Online Regular rating under the published rule.

Re-Entry

Re-entry is available for $60 under the event rules, with restrictions on moving between major sections. Confirm the exact eligible sections and round deadline before purchasing a re-entry.

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

For the top six principal sections, the published online entry fee is $138 through November 10, with $160 for later / on-site entry. The lowest section is listed at $40 less than the corresponding main fee.

Grandmasters may enter free under the organizer’s terms, with $120 deducted from any prize. The event also publishes a $15 service charge for refunds. Players should bring their own boards, sets and clocks because playing equipment is not supplied.

Registration and final 2026 section information should be taken from the US Chess / Continental Chess event page. The second URL supplied for research points to the 2025 edition and should not be treated as the current 2026 registration source.

🏛️ Organizer

📍 Venue

Embassy Suites Cincinnati Northeast – 4554 Lake Forest Drive, Blue Ash, OH 45242, United States.

The hotel serves as both the tournament venue and the accommodation base. This is particularly useful for players on the Friday-start three-day schedule and for families staying through the Sunday afternoon final round.

🏨 Accommodation

The event advertises breakfast as included with the hotel package and asks players to reserve by November 3. The hotel phone is +1 513-733-8900. Players should identify the chess group when booking if the online block is no longer visible.

🚆 How to Get There

Blue Ash is northeast of central Cincinnati and is most practical by car or rideshare. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport serves the region, but players should allow time to cross the metropolitan area to Blue Ash.

Use the full Lake Forest Drive address rather than “Kings Island,” because the tournament is held at the Blue Ash hotel and not at the amusement park.

ℹ️ Other Information

Equipment

Players must provide their own chess sets and clocks. A chess vendor is normally present at the event, but players should not rely on purchasing equipment immediately before a round.

Prize Payment

The organizer notes that unpaid prizes can be distributed electronically, typically after tournament processing. Players should provide accurate payment information when requested.