58th Annual Liberty Bell Open
Celebrate the long-running January chess tradition in Philadelphia with the 58th Annual Liberty Bell Open (January 16-19, 2026) held at the elegant Sonesta Hotel in downtown Philadelphia. This Heritage Event brings together players of all levels in a major 7-Round Swiss (with 3-day and 2-day options) alongside a mix of class sections, prize categories, and Grand Prix points — making it a key stop for serious and aspiring competitors.
Set in the iconic urban venue on Market Street, the Liberty Bell Open combines competitive intensity with social energy, offering a strong prize fund of $25,000 guaranteed, enhanced Grand Prix status, and ample byes and re-entry flexibility. Whether you’re chasing section prizes, aiming for clear first, or simply enjoying a peak chess weekend, this event delivers excellent value and a vibrant setting.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | Friday, January 16 – Monday, January 19, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Sonesta Hotel, 1800 Market St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| ♟️ Format | 7-Round Swiss (40/80; SD/30; d30) with 3-day option (Rounds 1-2: G/60; d10) & 2-day option in U2100 & below (Rounds 1-4 G/30; d10) |
| 💵 Entry Fee | $148 online until Jan 2, $158 Jan 3–13, $180 later or onsite. U1200 section $20 less. GMs $120 from prize. |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated & USCF-rated in all major sections |
| ✅ Eligibility | Open to all players; restrictions apply in lower rated sections (e.g., unrated prize caps) |
| 🎯 Prize Fund | $25,000 Guaranteed |
| 🔧 Additional | US Chess Grand Prix points: 150 (Enhanced) |
🏆 Prize Fund
| Section | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major (1900/+) | $3,000 | $1,500 | $1,000 | $700 | $500 |
| Top U2300 (in Major) | $1,000 | $500 | — | — | — |
| Under 2100 | $1,800 | $900 | $500 | $300 | $200 |
| Under 1900 | $1,500 | $800 | $500 | $300 | $200 |
| Under 1700 | $1,200 | $700 | $400 | $300 | $200 |
| Under 1500 | $1,200 | $700 | $400 | $300 | $200 |
| Under 1200 | $800 | $500 | $250 | — | — |
| Mixed Doubles Team (male+female) | $1,000 | $600 | $400 | — | — |
(Prize caps apply for unrated players in certain sections)
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Standard 7-round sections: 40 moves in 80 minutes + sudden death 30 minutes; 30-second delay.
3-day option schedule: Registration ends Sat 11 am; rounds Sat 12, 3 & 6; Sun 12 & 6; Mon 10 & 3:30.
2-day option (for U2100 & below): Rounds Sun 10–12–2–3:45–6; Mon 10 & 3:30.
Byes: Up to 2 half-point byes must be requested before Round 3.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Major | USCF 1900+ (or equivalent) |
| Under 2100 | Rated under 2100 |
| Under 1900 | Rated under 1900 |
| Under 1700 | Rated under 1700 |
| Under 1500 | Rated under 1500 |
| Under 1200 | Rated under 1200 |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jan 16 | 7:00 PM | Round 1 (4-day schedule) |
| Sat, Jan 17 | 12:00 PM | Round 2 |
| Sat, Jan 17 | 3:00 PM | Round 3 |
| Sat, Jan 17 | 6:00 PM | Round 4 |
| Sun, Jan 18 | 12:00 PM | Round 5 |
| Sun, Jan 18 | 6:00 PM | Round 6 |
| Mon, Jan 19 | 10:00 AM | Round 7 |
| Mon, Jan 19 | 3:30 PM | Closing / Awards |
📝 Registration
Entry fee: $148 by Jan 2, $158 through Jan 13, $180 later/on-site. U1200 section is $20 less. GMs $120 from prize.
Re-entry permitted ($70) except for Major → Major.
Byes: up to 2 half-point byes; must commit before Round 3.
👥 Organizer
Organised by Continental Chess.
Email: director@chess.us
Website: https://www.chesstour.com
🏨 Venue
The event will be held at the Sonesta Hotel, 1800 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA. Free parking options and special chess-rate hotel rooms are available.
🛎️ Accommodation
Special chess rate at Sonesta: $122/night (4-day schedule).
Parking at chess rate (~$28/day) or nearby garage (~$30/day weekdays, ~$12/day weekends).
🚗 How to Get There
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is ~20 minutes by taxi to downtown.
Hotel is centrally located in the Market Street corridor with access to public transit.
Parking: On-site or nearby garages as noted above.
May your tactics be sharp, your endgames clean and your weekend at the Liberty Bell Open truly memorable!