Catherine McLaughlin Rapid Open takes place on September 26, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. The event offers a one-day rapid chess tournament with 5 Swiss-system rounds at the Saint Louis Chess Club.
This is a chess tournament in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, in 2026. Players can compete in a US Chess-rated rapid tournament with a G/25 + 10 seconds time control and a guaranteed prize fund.
The tournament runs from noon to early evening, which makes it a practical Saturday event for local players and visitors. In addition, players need both Saint Louis Chess Club membership and United States Chess Federation membership to participate.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | Catherine McLaughlin Rapid Open |
| 📅 Date | September 26, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | St. Louis, Missouri, USA |
| 🏛️ Venue | Saint Louis Chess Club, 4663 Maryland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA |
| ♟️ Format | 5-round Swiss tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | US Chess-rated |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 rounds |
| ⏱️ Time control | G/25 + 10 seconds |
| 💰 Prize fund | $1,000 guaranteed |
| 📝 Registration | https://register.stlchess.club/catherine-mclaughlin-rapid-open-09-26-26 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The Catherine McLaughlin Rapid Open uses a 5-round Swiss system. Each player receives 25 minutes for the game, plus a 10-second increment from move one.
The event gives players a compact rapid chess tournament format with five rated games in one day. Therefore, participants should stay near the playing hall between rounds and follow each new pairing promptly.
Players may request one half-point bye. However, they must declare it before the start of Round 1.
💰 Prize Fund
The confirmed prize fund is $1,000, unconditionally guaranteed.
Prize Fund Overview
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $250 |
| 2nd place | $175 |
| 3rd place | $125 |
| U2200, 1st place | $100 |
| U2200, 2nd place | $75 |
| U2000, 1st place | $75 |
| U2000, 2nd place | $60 |
| U1800 | $50 |
| U1600 | $40 |
| Biggest upset | $50 |
🧩 Sections / Groups
The tournament runs as one open rapid event.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Main event | Open 5-round Swiss tournament |
| Rating status | US Chess-rated |
| Prize categories | Overall places, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, and biggest upset |
| Membership requirement | Saint Louis Chess Club and United States Chess Federation membership |
Players who are not Saint Louis Chess Club members may join online or buy a day pass at the front desk on the tournament day.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 12:00 PM | Round 1 |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 1:30 PM | Round 2 |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 3:00 PM | Round 3 |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 4:30 PM | Round 4 |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM | Round 5 |
📝 Registration
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Entry fee | $25 |
| Required membership | Saint Louis Chess Club membership and United States Chess Federation membership |
| Bye option | One half-point bye, declared before Round 1 |
| Registration page | https://register.stlchess.club/catherine-mclaughlin-rapid-open-09-26-26 |
Players should register through the Saint Louis Chess Club registration page. In addition, they should enter their USCF membership ID and confirm their Saint Louis Chess Club membership status during registration.
🏛️ Organizer
The Saint Louis Chess Club organizes the Catherine McLaughlin Rapid Open at its club venue in St. Louis. The event gives players a focused rapid chess day with rated games, guaranteed prizes, and a clear schedule.
📍 Venue
Saint Louis Chess Club, 4663 Maryland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
The tournament takes place at the Saint Louis Chess Club in the Central West End area of St. Louis. Players should use the full Maryland Avenue address for navigation and arrive before the first round starts at 12:00 PM.
🚆 How to Get There
The Saint Louis Chess Club is located in St. Louis’s Central West End neighborhood. Players can reach the venue by car, taxi, rideshare, public transport, or on foot from nearby hotels and local destinations.
Because the tournament starts at noon, participants should allow enough time for travel, parking, check-in, and seating before Round 1.
ℹ️ Other Information
The event runs from 12:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
Both Saint Louis Chess Club membership and United States Chess Federation membership are required. Players who need a club day pass can purchase one at the front desk on the event day.
Participants agree to the club’s code of conduct and photo/video authorization during registration.
The Catherine McLaughlin Rapid Open offers a sharp one-day rapid chess event with guaranteed prizes at one of America’s best-known chess venues.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $1,000
Date And Time
26-09-2026
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♟️ About the Organizer
Saint Louis Chess Club is a nonprofit chess organization based in the Central West End neighborhood of Saint Louis, Missouri, United States. The club was founded in 2007 and opened its doors in July 2008. Since then, it has become one of the most important centers for over-the-board chess in the United States and the wider international chess community.
The club promotes chess through education, tournament organization, public programming, and community outreach. Its mission places strong emphasis on chess instruction and the educational value of the game. Therefore, the club supports players at many levels, from beginners and schoolchildren to titled players and elite grandmasters.
Saint Louis Chess Club is also closely connected with the city’s identity as a major chess destination. Its venue on Maryland Avenue gives players access to regular chess activity, classes, lectures, rated games, and major tournaments. As a result, the club has helped make Saint Louis one of the most recognizable chess cities in the world.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Saint Louis Chess Club organizes a wide range of chess events throughout the year. Its program includes weekly rated games, blitz events, monthly tournaments, scholastic competitions, lectures, beginner classes, youth programs, and advanced training. This gives local players a steady schedule and helps visiting players find regular chess activity in Saint Louis.
The club is also known for hosting major national and international events. These include the U.S. Chess Championship, U.S. Women’s Chess Championship, U.S. Junior Championship, Sinquefield Cup, Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz, and Chess 9LX. These tournaments bring many of the world’s strongest players to Saint Louis and give the city a central role in elite chess.
In addition, Saint Louis Chess Club supports scholastic chess and education programs across the region. Its school activity, camps, group lessons, and educational resources help children learn chess in a structured way. Moreover, the club’s mix of public events and elite tournaments creates a rare bridge between grassroots chess and world-class competition.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players who visit Saint Louis Chess Club can expect a professional and active chess environment. The club offers a clear path for beginners, casual players, club competitors, students, and advanced players. This makes it useful for people who want to learn chess, improve their skills, or compete in rated events.
The weekly program gives members and visitors many ways to participate. Players can join classes, attend lectures, play rated games, enter blitz tournaments, or follow elite events at the club. In addition, the club’s online broadcasts and educational content help chess fans stay connected even when they cannot visit in person.
For players searching for chess in Saint Louis, chess tournaments in the United States, or a world-class chess venue with regular programming, Saint Louis Chess Club offers one of the strongest options available. Its combination of education, community chess, scholastic outreach, national championships, and elite international events gives the organizer a unique place in modern chess.
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