The 61st American Open Chess Championship takes place from November 24 to 29, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove, California. The historic Thanksgiving-week tournament offers six playing sections, a guaranteed $40,000 prize fund, and 150 Enhanced US Chess Grand Prix points. Moreover, the Championship Section offers opportunities for FIDE title norms when players meet the applicable requirements.

The Championship features nine classical rounds over six days. Meanwhile, Expert, Section A, Section B, Section C, and Under 1400 each play eight rounds with a choice of four-day or three-day schedules. The Championship, Expert, and Section A receive FIDE rating under the published conditions, while every section receives US Chess rating.

In addition, the wider American Open program runs from November 23 to 29. It includes a chess camp, scholastic tournaments, a Grandmaster simultaneous exhibition, lectures, Blitz, and Action chess. Therefore, players and families can take part in a full Thanksgiving-week chess festival at the same venue.

📌 Event Details

The 61st American Open combines a norm-capable Championship Section with five rating-based sections. Players can therefore choose a competition that matches their rating and preferred schedule.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The Championship Section uses a nine-round Swiss system. Players receive 90 minutes for the entire game plus a 30-second increment after every move.

The six-day Championship schedule contains only one round on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday. Consequently, its schedule supports the applicable FIDE requirements for title-norm opportunities.

Expert through Under 1400 use an eight-round Swiss system. Players can choose either the four-day or three-day schedule. The two schedules then merge before Round 5.

The November FIDE rating list applies in the Championship Section.

For Expert and lower sections, the organizers use the November official US Chess over-the-board Regular Rating Supplement. However, the Tournament Director may also consider higher FIDE, foreign, online Regular, unofficial US Chess, or other over-the-board ratings when required under the tournament’s published rating policy.

🏆 Prize Fund

The 61st American Open Chess Championship offers a guaranteed $40,000 prize fund across its six sections. In addition to the main place prizes, several sections offer rating-based awards.

🏆 Championship Section

The Championship offers six overall prizes plus U2450 and U2300 awards.

Overall Prizes

U2450 Prizes

U2300 Prizes

Championship allocation: $9,650

♟️ Expert Section – 2000–2199

The Expert Section offers five overall prizes plus two U2100 awards.

Overall Prizes

U2100 Prizes

Expert allocation: $5,950

♟️ Section A – 1800–1999

Section A offers five overall prizes plus two U1900 awards.

Overall Prizes

U1900 Prizes

Section A allocation: $5,950

♟️ Section B – 1600–1799

Section B offers five overall prizes plus two U1700 awards.

Overall Prizes

U1700 Prizes

Section B allocation: $5,950

♟️ Section C – 1400–1599

Section C offers five overall prizes plus two U1500 awards.

Overall Prizes

U1500 Prizes

Section C allocation: $5,950

♟️ Under 1400 Section

The Under 1400 Section offers five overall prizes plus U1300, U1200, and unrated awards.

Overall Prizes

U1300 Prizes

U1200 Prizes

Unrated Prizes

Under 1400 allocation: $6,550

💵 Prize Eligibility & Limits

Players who withdraw from the tournament lose eligibility for prize money.

The organizer also limits the amount that players with unrated or provisional ratings may win. Under the published rules, a provisional rating means fewer than 26 rated games.

Unrated players competing in the Under 1400 Section are eligible only for the specifically designated unrated prizes.

The organizer pays tournament prizes by check, PayPal, or Zelle.

🧩 Sections / Groups

The tournament offers six playing sections. Expert through Under 1400 use the applicable November official US Chess rating for section placement.

Players in Expert through Under 1400 may generally play only one section above their normal rating section.

The U2450, U2300, U2100, U1900, U1700, U1500, U1300, U1200, and unrated categories are prize classifications only. They are not separate playing sections.

The Tournament Director has final authority on section eligibility, rating conversions, rating adjustments, unofficial ratings, and other rating-related questions.

📅 Schedule

The Championship begins on Tuesday evening and finishes on Sunday morning. The other five sections offer either a four-day schedule beginning Thursday or a three-day schedule beginning Friday.

Championship – 6-Day Schedule

The Championship spreads nine rounds across six days.

Expert, Sections A–C & Under 1400 – 4-Day Schedule

The four-day option begins on Thanksgiving Day and features two rounds per day.

Expert, Sections A–C & Under 1400 – 3-Day Schedule

The accelerated schedule plays four shorter rounds on Friday. Afterwards, three-day participants merge with the four-day players for Round 5.

📝 Registration

The organizer requires advance registration. There will be no onsite registration.

Registration closes on November 22, 2026. Players should register early because entry fees increase as the tournament approaches.

Official Registration:
https://square.link/u/ZxzXZicH

Main Tournament Information:
https://americanopen.org/main-tournament/

Standard Entry Fees

The published fee schedule applies to Championship players rated 2200+ and to Expert through Under 1400.

There is no re-entry in the Championship Section.

Players in Expert through Under 1400 may make one re-entry under the published conditions. The current 2026 Main Tournament information lists the re-entry fee as $120.

Championship Play-Up Fees

Players below FIDE 2200 who enter the Championship may need to pay an additional play-up fee.

Players with a US Chess rating above 2200 do not pay the published Championship play-up surcharge.

Complimentary Championship Entry

Grandmasters, Woman Grandmasters, eligible foreign International Masters, eligible foreign Woman International Masters, and qualifying 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. Otherwise, the organizer publishes a $200 deduction from any prize won.

US Chess Membership

Every participant must hold an active US Chess membership.

The organizer requires the membership to remain current through November 30, 2026.

👤 Organizer

The American Open Chess Championship manages the tournament program, registration, scheduling, player communications, and event administration.

📍 Venue

Hyatt Regency Orange County – 11999 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92840, USA.

The Hyatt Regency Orange County serves as both the tournament venue and official host hotel. Therefore, participants who stay at the property can reach the playing halls and side-event areas without leaving the hotel.

The property is located in Garden Grove near Anaheim and the Disneyland Resort area. Moreover, the tournament has secured a discounted room block for competitors and accompanying guests.

🏨 Official Hotel Rate

The American Open group rate starts at $169 per night plus taxes and fees.

The hotel applies a cancellation deadline of 72 hours before 11:59 PM local time on the arrival day. Otherwise, a one-night fee may apply under the hotel’s published terms.

Hotel Information & Booking:
https://americanopen.org/venue/

🚆 How to Get There

Several Southern California airports serve Garden Grove. John Wayne Airport / Orange County (SNA) is the nearest of the airports listed by the organizer.

Travelers can continue to the hotel by taxi, rideshare, rental car, or another private transfer.

Drivers should use:

Hyatt Regency Orange County – 11999 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92840, USA.

The hotel provides on-site parking at the special tournament rates listed above.

ℹ️ Other Information

Bye Rules

Players may take a maximum of two optional half-point byes.

For the final round, players must request a half-point bye before Round 2 begins. For other rounds, they must submit the request before the previous round starts.

A late bye request becomes a zero-point bye. Likewise, any bye beyond the two permitted half-point byes receives zero points.

Players may request zero-point byes when needed and still return for later rounds.

Equipment

Players should bring a regulation chess set and clock if possible because the organizer does not supply equipment for the Main Tournament.

The organizer provides scoresheets.

Electronic Devices

Players may not carry a phone or another electronic device capable of communication or chess analysis on their person in the tournament hall.

The Chief Tournament Director determines the penalty for a violation under the organizer’s published policy.

Refund Policy

Players who cannot attend should notify the organizer at least seven days before the tournament.

The organizer deducts a $25 service charge from approved Main Tournament refunds.

No full or partial refund is available after Round 1 begins or after a player starts the first game.

🎪 American Open Side Events

The broader American Open week includes several additional events at the Hyatt Regency Orange County.

⚡ Blitz Tournament

The Saturday-night Blitz Tournament uses a five-round double-Swiss format at Game/5.

⏱️ Action Tournament

The Sunday Action Tournament uses a five-round Swiss system with a time control of G/30; d5.

👦 Scholastic Program

The 61st American Open also includes three scholastic divisions for K–12 players.

🏆 American Open History

The first American Open took place in 1965, when Grandmaster Pal Benko won the inaugural championship.

Since then, the winners list has included many prominent players, including Walter Browne, Yasser Seirawan, Larry Christiansen, Boris Gulko, Gata Kamsky, Joel Benjamin, Alex Yermolinsky, Varuzhan Akobian, Timur Gareyev, and Melik Khachiyan.

Grandmaster Arman Mikaelyan won the 60th American Open in 2025 with an undefeated 7.5/9.

The 2026 tournament therefore begins the event’s seventh decade.

🔗 Official Resources