58th Annual Liberty Bell Open

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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!