The Cedar Rapids Leatherjackets will take place from March 12–14, 2027, at the Radisson Hotel Cedar Rapids in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The weekend combines a five-round Open and Reserve tournament, a one-day U1000 Rated Beginner Open, and a separate Saturday-night FIDE-rated Blitz competition.

The main tournament offers both three-day and two-day schedules. Three-day players compete at the full classical control of G/90 +30 throughout, while two-day players begin Saturday with two faster G/60; d5 rounds before merging with the main field for Round 3. The Open is FIDE rated, while the Reserve and Rated Beginner Open remain US Chess-rated competitions.

The organizer advertises $2,000 in cash prizes based on 40 entries, with published awards for the Open and Reserve sections. The tournament is also an Iowa State Chess Association Grand Prix qualifier, giving Iowa players an additional competitive incentive beyond the individual tournament standings.

♟️ Event Details

Cedar Rapids Leatherjackets is a multi-format chess weekend designed for experienced competitors, developing club players, beginners, and blitz specialists. The main event has two classical sections, while the Rated Beginner Open and Blitz operate as separate competitions.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The main event uses two schedule options. Both schedules eventually merge into the same classical tournament.

Three-Day Schedule

All five rounds use the full FIDE-compatible classical control.

Each player receives 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one.

Two-Day Schedule

The two-day option compresses the first two games into Saturday morning.

Rounds 1–2 of the two-day schedule are specifically listed as not FIDE rated.

After the schedules merge for Round 3, Open players return to the full G/90 +30 time control.

Rated Beginner Open

The one-day U1000 event uses a shorter control suited to newer tournament players.

Saturday Night Blitz

The Blitz uses a double-game format, meaning players meet twice per round.

Half-Point Byes

A player may receive a maximum of one half-point bye.

The bye must be requested at least one hour before the applicable round.

No half-point bye is available in Round 5.

🏆 Prize Fund

The organizer advertises $2,000 in cash prizes based on 40 entries. This means the headline amount is not presented as an unconditional guaranteed prize fund.

The current official listing provides the following detailed awards.

Open Section

The published Open fund is $1,170 based on 29 entries.

Unrated players are not eligible for the U2000 or U1800 class prizes.

Reserve U1600

The published Reserve fund is $640 based on 29 entries.

Blitz

The Blitz does not use a fixed advertised dollar fund.

Instead, 75% of Blitz entry fees are returned as prizes.

The current official tournament information does not publish a separate cash prize schedule for the U1000 Rated Beginner Open.

The organizer’s headline states $2,000 based on 40 entries, while the currently itemized Open and Reserve awards total $1,810. No public explanation of the remaining amount has yet been provided.

🧩 Sections / Groups

The weekend includes three main US Chess sections or events plus the separate Blitz.

Playing Up

Reserve-eligible players may enter the Open when they meet the organizer’s minimum play-up requirement.

Players must be rated above 1400 to use the published play-up option.

The additional play-up fee is $20.

🗓️ Schedule

The weekend begins Friday evening with the three-day Open and Reserve tournament. Saturday includes the accelerated schedule, Rated Beginner Open, and evening Blitz.

Three-Day Main Tournament

Two-Day Main Tournament

The first two rounds use G/60; d5 before players merge with the three-day schedule.

Rated Beginner Open – Saturday

Saturday Night Blitz

The FIDE-rated Blitz begins Saturday evening.

📝 Registration

Entry fees vary by tournament, registration date, and section.

Open

Players using the Open play-up option pay an additional $20.

Reserve U1600

Rated Beginner Open

Blitz

Onsite Registration

A current US Chess membership is required.

For Iowa residents entering the Open section, Iowa State Chess Association membership is also required and is included as part of the registration process.

Membership services are available onsite where applicable.

Official registration:
https://www.kingregistration.com/event/2027CRLJ

👥 Organizer

📍 Venue

The tournament returns to the Radisson Hotel Cedar Rapids, located on Collins Road NE near Highway 100 and I-380.

Radisson Hotel Cedar Rapids – 1200 Collins Road NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, United States

The hotel offers meeting and ballroom facilities suitable for large tournament events.

Current hotel amenities include free Wi-Fi, complimentary hot breakfast, accessible parking, a fitness facility, and family-friendly accommodation.

The Iowa State Chess Association specifically lists free onsite parking for tournament participants.

No dedicated 2027 tournament room rate is currently published in the official tournament information.

🚆 How to Get There

The Radisson is located in northeast Cedar Rapids with convenient road access from I-380 and Highway 100.

The Eastern Iowa Airport is the main commercial airport serving Cedar Rapids.

Players flying into CID should allow approximately 15–20 minutes by car under normal traffic conditions to reach the hotel.

Some travel listings advertise airport-shuttle service at the Radisson, while other current listings do not. Participants who intend to rely on a hotel shuttle should therefore confirm availability directly with the hotel before travel.

ℹ️ Other Information

The Cedar Rapids Leatherjackets is also an IASCA Grand Prix qualifying event, so eligible Iowa players can earn points toward the state association’s broader competitive series.

Different Events in One Weekend

The tournament is particularly flexible because players can choose from several formats:

the full Open or Reserve tournament, the one-day Rated Beginner Open, and the Saturday-night Blitz.

This structure gives new players an entry point through the U1000 event while stronger competitors can play FIDE-rated classical and Blitz chess during the same weekend.

2026 Participation

The previous edition attracted 64 registered participants across the Open, Reserve, Rated Beginner Open, and Blitz entry lists.

The 2026 Open was won by Alec ahead of a strong chasing group, while the Reserve produced joint champions. The event therefore returns in 2027 with essentially the same multi-format concept but updated dates, registration deadlines, fees, and round times.

FIDE Rating

The Open and Saturday Blitz are FIDE rated.

The opening two G/60; d5 games of the accelerated two-day schedule are specifically excluded from FIDE rating.

Final Checks Before Travel

Because the official 2027 listings currently contain a few minor legacy text issues — including an old “2026” heading on the registration page — players should rely on the clearly published March 12–14, 2027 dates and check King Registration shortly before travel for any final operational updates.

Official registration:
https://www.kingregistration.com/event/2027CRLJ

Iowa State Chess Association:
https://www.iowa-chess.org/tournaments-new/cedar-rapids-leatherjackets

US Chess listing:
https://new.uschess.org/cedar-rapids-leatherjackets-1