The 61st American Open Chess Championship will take place from November 24–29, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove, California. The historic Thanksgiving-week event features six main sections, with the Championship offering a nine-round norm opportunity and the remaining sections providing flexible three-day or four-day schedules.
The Championship section is FIDE and US Chess rated and uses a classical G/90 +30-second increment time control throughout all nine rounds. Expert and Section A also receive FIDE rating under the published schedule conditions. Meanwhile, Section B, Section C, and Under 1400 are US Chess rated. The tournament offers a guaranteed $40,000 prize fund across the six sections.
In addition, the American Open week includes scholastic tournaments, chess camp, a Grandmaster simul, lectures, Blitz, and Action chess. Therefore, players and families can take part in several chess activities at the same venue throughout Thanksgiving week.
♟️ Event Details
The main championship runs for six days, while the Expert through Under 1400 sections can be played on either a four-day or three-day schedule. The event carries 150 Enhanced US Grand Prix points and requires active US Chess membership.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| 🏷️ Title | 61st American Open Chess Championship |
| 📅 Dates | November 24–29, 2026 |
| 🌎 Country | United States |
| 📍 City | Garden Grove, California |
| 🏨 Venue | Hyatt Regency Orange County |
| 👥 Organizer | American Open Chess Championship |
| ♟️ Format | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Sections | 6 |
| 🏆 Prize Fund | $40,000 guaranteed |
| ⭐ Grand Prix | 150 Enhanced US Grand Prix Points |
| 🎯 Rating | US Chess rated; selected sections also FIDE rated |
| 🌐 Event Type | Over-the-board |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The Championship section plays nine classical rounds over six days. The other five sections play eight rounds and offer either a four-day classical schedule or an accelerated three-day option.
| Section / Schedule | Rounds | Time Control | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | 9 | G/90 + 30-second increment | FIDE + US Chess |
| Expert – 4-Day | 8 | G/90 + 30-second increment | FIDE + US Chess |
| Section A – 4-Day | 8 | G/90 + 30-second increment | FIDE + US Chess |
| Sections B, C & U1400 – 4-Day | 8 | G/90 + 30-second increment | US Chess |
| Expert & Section A – 3-Day, Rounds 1–4 | 4 | G/60; d5 | US Chess |
| Expert & Section A – 3-Day, Rounds 5–8 | 4 | G/90 + 30-second increment | FIDE + US Chess |
| Sections B, C & U1400 – 3-Day | 8 | Rounds 1–4: G/60; d5; Rounds 5–8: G/90 +30 | US Chess |
The three-day and four-day groups merge beginning with Round 5.
The Championship uses a nine-round Swiss System. Its schedule includes three tournament days with only one round, satisfying the applicable FIDE title-regulation scheduling requirement for norm opportunities.
🏆 Prize Fund
The tournament publishes a guaranteed $40,000 prize fund. In addition to the main finishing prizes, several sections include rating-category awards.
| Section | Main Prizes | Additional Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Championship | $3,500 / $1,500 / $800 / $600 / $400 / $250 | U2450: $1,000 / $550 / $250; U2300: $550 / $250 |
| Expert | $2,000 / $1,000 / $600 / $400 / $200 | U2100: $1,000 / $750 |
| Section A | $2,000 / $1,000 / $600 / $400 / $200 | U1900: $1,000 / $750 |
| Section B | $2,000 / $1,000 / $600 / $400 / $200 | U1700: $1,000 / $750 |
| Section C | $2,000 / $1,000 / $600 / $400 / $200 | U1500: $1,000 / $750 |
| Under 1400 | $1,500 / $800 / $600 / $400 / $200 | U1300: $1,000 / $750; U1200: $550 / $250; Unrated: $350 / $150 |
The U2450, U2300, U2100, U1900, U1700, U1500, U1300, U1200, and unrated categories are prize categories rather than separate tournament sections.
Players with unrated or provisional US Chess ratings of fewer than 26 games have prize limits. The published maximums are $300 in Under 1400, $400 in Section C, $500 in Section B, $600 in Section A, and $700 in Expert.
A player who withdraws during the tournament is not eligible for prize money. Prize payments may be issued by check, PayPal, or Zelle.
🧩 Sections / Groups
The event has six competitive sections. November rating supplements determine section placement, and players in Expert through Under 1400 may normally play up only one section.
| Section | Rating / Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Championship | Open championship section; norm opportunity available |
| Expert | 2000–2199 |
| Section A | 1800–1999 |
| Section B | 1600–1799 |
| Section C | 1400–1599 |
| Under 1400 | Below 1400 |
The November FIDE rating applies to the Championship section. For Expert and lower sections, organizers use the November official US Chess over-the-board regular rating for eligibility, pairings, and prizes.
However, organizers may use a higher applicable FIDE, foreign, unofficial US Chess, or other over-the-board rating when required by tournament rules.
🗓️ Schedule
The Championship begins Tuesday evening and finishes Sunday morning. Expert through Under 1400 can choose between a four-day schedule beginning Thursday or a three-day schedule beginning Friday.
Championship – 6-Day Schedule
| Date | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, November 24 | Round 1 | 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday, November 25 | Round 2 | 6:00 PM |
| Thursday, November 26 | Rounds 3 & 4 | 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM |
| Friday, November 27 | Rounds 5 & 6 | 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM |
| Saturday, November 28 | Rounds 7 & 8 | 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM |
| Sunday, November 29 | Round 9 | 10:00 AM |
Expert, Sections A–C & Under 1400 – 4-Day Schedule
| Date | Rounds | Times |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, November 26 | Rounds 1 & 2 | 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM |
| Friday, November 27 | Rounds 3 & 4 | 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM |
| Saturday, November 28 | Rounds 5 & 6 | 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM |
| Sunday, November 29 | Rounds 7 & 8 | 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM |
Expert, Sections A–C & Under 1400 – 3-Day Schedule
| Date | Rounds | Times |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, November 27 | Rounds 1–4 | 11:00 AM, 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM & 8:00 PM |
| Saturday, November 28 | Rounds 5 & 6 | 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM |
| Sunday, November 29 | Rounds 7 & 8 | 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM |
📝 Registration
Advance registration is mandatory because there will be no onsite registration. The standard entry-fee schedule applies to the Championship for players rated 2200+ and to Expert through Under 1400.
| Registration Period | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| By September 30, 2026 | $220 |
| By October 31, 2026 | $250 |
| November 1–15, 2026 | $270 |
| November 16–22, 2026 | $320 |
Registration closes November 22, 2026.
Re-entry is not available in the Championship section. For Expert through Under 1400, the published re-entry fee is $120.
Grandmasters, Women Grandmasters, foreign IMs/WIMs, and eligible players rated 2500+ may receive complimentary Championship entry under the organizer’s published conditions. Eligible titled players should complete the special registration process by October 15 to avoid the published prize deduction.
Championship players rated below 2200 may also be subject to a play-up surcharge:
| FIDE Rating | Additional Championship Play-Up Fee |
|---|---|
| 2000–2199 | $150 |
| 1800–1999 | $200 |
| Below 1800 / Unrated | $500 |
Official tournament information and registration:
https://americanopen.org/main-tournament/
👥 Organizer
The American Open Chess Championship manages the event and publishes tournament information, registration rules, schedules, and updates through its official website.
| Contact | |
|---|---|
| 👥 Organizer | American Open Chess Championship |
| ✉️ Email | play@americanopen.org |
| ☎️ Phone | +1 714-643-8828 |
📍 Venue
The tournament is played at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove. The same hotel serves as the official accommodation venue for American Open week.
Hyatt Regency Orange County – 11999 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92840, United States
The tournament hotel rate starts at $169 per night plus taxes and fees for eligible king or queen deluxe rooms. The official group code is G-KA26.
The discounted tournament room rate remains available until the allocated room block sells out or until October 31, 2026, whichever comes first.
🚆 How to Get There
The Hyatt Regency Orange County is in Garden Grove, close to Anaheim and the Disneyland Resort area. Several Southern California airports provide access to the venue.
| Airport | Approx. Distance from Venue |
|---|---|
| ✈️ John Wayne Airport / Orange County (SNA) | 15 miles |
| ✈️ Long Beach Airport (LGB) | 17 miles |
| ✈️ Ontario International Airport (ONT) | 37 miles |
| ✈️ Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | 37 miles |
Players arriving by car can access the hotel from Harbor Boulevard. The venue publishes day self-parking at $15 per car and overnight self-parking at $19 per car per night. Valet parking is also available at the hotel’s prevailing rate.
ℹ️ Other Information
The complete American Open week runs November 23–29, 2026, although the 61st American Open Chess Championship itself begins on November 24. Several additional chess activities take place around the main event.
| Date / Period | Additional Event |
|---|---|
| November 23–25 | Chess Camp |
| Friday, November 27 | Grandmaster Simultaneous Exhibition |
| November 27–29 | Scholastic Tournaments |
| Saturday, November 28 | Grandmaster Lecture and Blitz Tournament |
| Sunday, November 29 | Grandmaster Lecture and Action Tournament |
Players may request a maximum of two optional half-point byes. A final-round half-point bye must be requested before the start of Round 2. Other half-point bye requests must be submitted before the previous round begins. Later or additional bye requests receive zero points under the published rules.
Players should bring a chess set and clock if possible, because the organizers state that equipment will not be supplied.
An active US Chess membership is required for all players. The organizer also requires players to disclose applicable FIDE, foreign, and other over-the-board ratings where relevant.
Official website:
https://americanopen.org/
Official Main Tournament page:
https://americanopen.org/main-tournament/
US Chess event page:
https://new.uschess.org/61st-american-open-chess-championship
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - USD 40,000
Organizer
♟️ About American Open Chess Championship
American Open Chess Championship is a long-running international chess tournament organization based in Garden Grove, California, United States. The American Open began in 1965 and has become a traditional Thanksgiving-week event in Southern California. Today, the championship is organized through ChessPalace, the established Garden Grove chess club that manages the event’s operational base, registration, player communication, and tournament program.
American Open brings together elite players, club competitors, juniors, scholastic players, and families. Its annual program combines the main Classical championship with scholastic tournaments, Blitz, Action chess, chess camps, grandmaster lectures, and exhibitions. The strongest section is FIDE-rated and offers opportunities for international title norms. Meanwhile, rating-based sections make the event accessible to a much wider range of players.
Charlene Ong is an active organizer associated with ChessPalace and the American Open. The Ong family has managed the tournament for many years while also operating ChessPalace in Garden Grove. In 2025, American Open celebrated its 60th edition, which GM Arman Mikaelyan won with 7.5/9. The organization is now preparing the 61st American Open Chess Championship, scheduled for November 23–29, 2026 at Hyatt Regency Orange County.
📜 Six Decades of American Open Chess
The first American Open took place in 1965. GM Pal Benko won the inaugural championship.
Since then, the winners list has included many important names in American and international chess. They include Walter Browne, Yasser Seirawan, Larry Christiansen, Boris Gulko, Gata Kamsky, Joel Benjamin, Alex Yermolinsky, Timur Gareyev, Varuzhan Akobian, and Melik Khachiyan.
The championship has remained closely associated with Southern California. Moreover, Thanksgiving week has become a defining part of the tournament’s identity.
ChessPalace later became the tournament’s organizing club. The club itself was established in 1990 and is based at 5246 Lampson Avenue in Garden Grove. Over time, the Ong family developed both ChessPalace and the modern American Open tournament program.
🏆 Main Championship
The American Open’s flagship competition is its multi-day Classical championship.
For 2026, the Championship Section uses a nine-round Swiss system. Games are played at G/90 with a 30-second increment, and the schedule satisfies FIDE requirements for title-norm opportunities.
The event also provides separate sections for Expert, Class A, Class B, Class C, and Under 1400 players. Therefore, participants can compete against opponents closer to their playing level.
The Championship, Expert, and selected additional sections receive FIDE and US Chess rating. Other sections remain US Chess-rated.
The American Open is also recognized within the US Chess Grand Prix system. As a result, it combines international rating opportunities with a significant place on the American tournament calendar.
🎓 Scholastic Chess and Chess Camp
Youth chess forms a major part of the American Open experience.
The scholastic program includes Novice, Junior Varsity, and Varsity tournaments. These events serve players from kindergarten through 12th grade. Some sections focus on beginners, while others provide US Chess-rated competition.
American Open also organizes a Thanksgiving-week Chess Camp. The camp combines lessons, tactics, openings, endgames, practical games, and tournament preparation.
In 2025, Anthony Ong, a Senior Coach and Senior Tournament Director, led the American Open Chess Camp. The program continues in 2026 as part of the full Thanksgiving-week schedule.
⚡ Side Events and Community Program
American Open extends well beyond its main Classical tournament.
The annual schedule includes Blitz and Action tournaments, Grandmaster lectures, simultaneous exhibitions, and educational activities. These events allow players and families to participate even when they cannot commit to the full championship schedule.
This broader program has helped turn American Open into a week-long chess festival rather than a single tournament.
ChessPalace also supports the wider Southern California chess community throughout the year. Its Garden Grove club hosts regular rated tournaments, casual chess, lessons, scholastic events, and training activities.
🌟 60th American Open 2025
The 60th American Open Chess Championship took place from November 24–30, 2025 at Hyatt Regency Orange County.
The Main Event offered six playing sections and a guaranteed prize fund of $36,800. The Championship Section was played over nine rounds and offered FIDE norm possibilities.
GM Arman Mikaelyan won the championship outright. He finished undefeated with 7.5/9, securing his second American Open title after previously winning the 58th edition in 2023.
The anniversary program also featured scholastic events, Blitz, Action chess, a Chess Camp, grandmaster lectures, and a simultaneous exhibition.
🌟 61st American Open Chess Championship 2026
The 61st American Open is scheduled for November 23–29, 2026 at Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove.
The main Championship Section runs from November 24–29. It will feature nine rounds and remains eligible for FIDE norm opportunities.
The 2026 main tournament advertises a $40,000 prize fund. In addition, American Open will again stage scholastic tournaments, Chess Camp, Blitz, Action chess, grandmaster lectures, and a simultaneous exhibition.
The event therefore begins a new decade after the 60th-anniversary milestone while retaining the traditional Thanksgiving-week format.
🏛️ Organization and ChessPalace
ChessPalace provides the organizational foundation behind the modern American Open. The Garden Grove club has operated since 1990 and has organized rated chess in Southern California for more than three decades.
The Ong family has managed American Open for many years. Charlene Ong remains publicly active in ChessPalace tournament communication and American Open promotion.
The official American Open website now operates as the tournament’s dedicated information and registration platform. Meanwhile, ChessPalace continues to promote the championship through its own current tournament calendar.
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