Coconino Open I 2026 takes place from November 6-8, 2026, at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Flagstaff in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. The tournament is promoted as Northern Arizona’s full weekend FIDE-rated open chess tournament.
This is a chess tournament in Flagstaff, United States, in 2026. Players will compete in three sections, with 5 rounds, US Chess rating, and FIDE rating for the Open section.
The event offers $5,250 in based-on prizes, US Chess Grand Prix points, hotel-based playing conditions, and flexible 2-day or 3-day participation. In addition, the schedule gives players several rating-group prize opportunities.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | Coconino Open I 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | November 6-8, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Flagstaff, Arizona, United States |
| 🏛️ Venue | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Flagstaff |
| 📌 Address | 1175 West Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 |
| ♟️ Format | 5-round Swiss tournament |
| 🧩 Sections | Open, U1200, U700 |
| ⭐ Rating | US Chess rated; Open section FIDE-rated |
| 🏅 Grand Prix | US Chess Enhanced Grand Prix, 30 points; Junior Grand Prix |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes per player + 30 seconds per move |
| 💰 Prize Fund | $5,250 based on entries |
| 📝 Entry Options | 3-day or 2-day schedule |
| ⏳ Default Time | 30 minutes |
| 👨⚖️ Organizer and Chief Arbiter | Kevin Hyde |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Players receive 90 minutes for the game, plus a 30-second increment from move one. If a clock does not support increment or delay, the game uses G/120 instead.
The tournament uses a 5-round Swiss system. Pairings use FIDE Dutch rules with Baku Acceleration. Therefore, the early rounds should create more balanced pairings in larger sections.
The Open section is FIDE-rated. In addition, the Saturday morning round counts for FIDE rating.
Players may arrive up to 30 minutes late. After that, the player loses by forfeit. Also, players may request up to two half-point byes in any round if they declare them by Round 2.
💰 Prize Fund
The tournament publishes $5,250 in based-on prizes by section. The Open section offers $3,000 based on 40 players, the U1200 section offers $1,500 based on 40 players, and the U700 section offers $750 based on 40 players.
Prize Fund Overview
| Section | Published Based-On Prizes |
|---|---|
| Open | $3,000 based on 40 players |
| U1200 | $1,500 based on 40 players |
| U700 | $750 based on 40 players |
| Total published based-on prizes | $5,250 |
Open Section Prizes
| Prize / Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $1,000 |
| 2nd place | $500 |
| 3rd place | $300 |
| 4th place | $200 |
| Under 1900 | $200 |
| Under 1600 | $200 |
| Under 1500 | $200 |
| Under 1300 | $200 |
| Unrated | $200 |
U1200 Section Prizes
| Prize / Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $500 |
| 2nd place | $250 |
| 3rd place | $150 |
| 4th place | $100 |
| Under 1100 | $100 |
| Under 1000 | $100 |
| Under 900 | $100 |
| Under 800 | $100 |
| Unrated | $100 |
U700 Section Prizes
| Prize / Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $250 |
| 2nd place | $125 |
| 3rd place | $75 |
| 4th place | $50 |
| Under 600 | $50 |
| Under 500 | $50 |
| Under 400 | $50 |
| Under 300 | $50 |
| Unrated | $50 |
Cash prizes follow US Chess rules. Tie-breaks do not decide cash prizes.
🧩 Sections / Groups
The tournament has three sections. Open is the main section and counts for FIDE rating. It also offers the largest prize fund and class prizes for players below 1900, 1600, 1500, and 1300.
U1200 is for players rated under 1200. This section includes place prizes, rating-group prizes, and an unrated prize.
U700 is for players rated under 700. It also includes place prizes, rating-group prizes, and an unrated prize.
Unrated players may enter any section. However, they can win only the unrated prize in the U1200 and U700 sections. Players may also play one section above their rating without an extra charge, but they must pay that section’s entry fee.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, November 6 | 17:00–18:00 | Registration for Friday round |
| Friday, November 6 | 19:00 | Round 1 for 3-day schedule |
| Saturday, November 7 | by 08:00 | Registration deadline for Saturday morning Round 1 |
| Saturday, November 7 | 09:00 | Round 1 for 2-day schedule |
| Saturday, November 7 | by 13:00 | Registration deadline for Saturday afternoon entry |
| Saturday, November 7 | 14:00 | Round 2 |
| Saturday, November 7 | 19:00 | Round 3 |
| Sunday, November 8 | 09:00 | Round 4 |
| Sunday, November 8 | 14:00 | Round 5 |
Players can choose the 3-day schedule with Round 1 on Friday evening or the 2-day schedule with Round 1 on Saturday morning. After that, all players continue with the same weekend schedule.
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Method | Online registration or mailed entry |
| Open Entry Fee | $120 early |
| U1200 Entry Fee | $60 early |
| U700 Entry Fee | $30 early |
| Late / On-site Open Entry Fee | $140 after November 4 |
| Late / On-site U1200 Entry Fee | $70 after November 4 |
| Late / On-site U700 Entry Fee | $35 after November 4 |
| Mailed Entry Deadline | Postmarked by October 30, 2026 |
| Payment Cards | Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express accepted |
| Card Fee | Add 3.5% to entry fee |
| Refund Rule | Refunds have 3.5% deducted |
| USCF Membership | Required |
| Mailed Entry Payable To | Kevin Hyde |
| Mailing Address | 2370 S Highland Mesa Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 |
| Contact Email | info@coconinochess.us |
Players should pre-register if possible. Entries after November 4, including on-site entries, cost 16⅔% more.
Sets and clocks are not provided. Therefore, players should bring their own equipment.
👥 Organizer
Kevin Hyde organizes Coconino Open I 2026 and also serves as chief arbiter. The event brings a full weekend Swiss tournament to Flagstaff, with US Chess rating, FIDE-rated play in the Open section, and several class-prize opportunities.
Email: info@coconinochess.us
🏛️ Venue
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Flagstaff – 1175 West Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, United States
The tournament takes place at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Flagstaff. The hotel venue gives players one practical location for games, lodging, meals, and rest during the weekend.
Free parking and free Wi-Fi are available. In addition, the hotel has an on-site restaurant for breakfast and supper, a fitness center, and other guest services.
Outside food and drink are not allowed in the meeting space.
🛏️ Accommodation
The official chess hotel rate is available at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Flagstaff. Players should book by October 7, 2026, and use the group code Coconino Open.
| Room Type | Chess Rate |
|---|---|
| Single / Double | $145 |
| Triple | $155 |
| Quad | $165 |
Players can call the hotel directly or use Hilton reservations. Since the tournament takes place at the same hotel, early booking can make the weekend much easier.
🚆 How to Get There
Players should travel to DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Flagstaff at 1175 West Route 66. The venue sits on one of Flagstaff’s main travel corridors, so it works well for players arriving by car.
Players flying into Arizona can plan onward travel to Flagstaff and then continue to the hotel by car, shuttle, or taxi. In addition, players staying at the hotel can avoid daily venue transfers.
Drivers can use the hotel address as the destination and use the free parking at the venue.
ℹ️ Other Information
Cell phones may stay in a bag in the playing room if they are powered off. However, smart watches and personal music players are not approved.
Electronic notation is not allowed in the Open section. In the U1200 and U700 sections, players may use US Chess-approved devices.
Re-entry is available in the U1200 and U700 sections for $10. In addition, players in U1200 and U700 may submit a roster to help avoid intra-club pairings.
Coconino Open I 2026 offers a practical full-weekend chess event in Flagstaff, with rating opportunities, hotel-based conditions, and a clear three-section structure.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $5,250
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Kevin Hyde is a United States chess organizer and arbiter connected with tournament activity in Flagstaff, Arizona, and other US Chess-rated events. He leads the organization of Coconino Open I 2026 and also serves as chief arbiter for the event. The tournament uses the dedicated Coconino Chess website for registration, pairings, standings, regulations, and player information.
For players, Kevin Hyde’s organizer profile matters because the Coconino Open brings a full weekend classical event to Northern Arizona. The event runs at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Flagstaff and offers a practical hotel-based setting for rated chess. In addition, the tournament structure gives players a clear schedule, published rules, and several rating-group prize opportunities.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Kevin Hyde organizes Coconino Open I 2026 as a five-round Swiss tournament with three sections: Open, U1200, and U700. The Open section is FIDE-rated, while all sections count for US Chess rating. The event also carries US Chess Enhanced Grand Prix points and Junior Grand Prix status. Therefore, it fits players who want a serious weekend tournament with both rating value and competitive class prizes.
The Coconino Open uses a classical time control of 90 minutes per player with a 30-second increment from move one. Pairings use FIDE Dutch rules with Baku Acceleration, which helps larger sections create more balanced early-round pairings. Moreover, the published regulations cover byes, electronic devices, notation rules, late arrival limits, and prize procedures.
Kevin Hyde also appears in other US Chess event records as an organizer or chief arbiter. His chess activity includes events such as Henderson County Open Rapid and Scholastic Championships, Orchard Lake tournaments, and Land of the Sky events. As a result, players can connect his name with practical tournament direction, pairing oversight, and rated-event administration.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Coconino Open I gives players a structured weekend chess experience in Flagstaff. The event offers both 3-day and 2-day entry options, so players can start on Friday evening or Saturday morning. After that, all players continue with the same round schedule. This format helps local players, traveling competitors, and families plan the weekend more easily.
The organizer also links the event with the wider Flagstaff chess scene. The Coconino Chess website points players toward Northern Arizona Chess Center and the Chess Club at NAU for more chess activity in the area. In addition, Northern Arizona Chess Center hosts year-round US Chess tournaments in Flagstaff and supports scholastic chess through school-based events.
This combination makes the organizer useful for players who want more than one weekend event. The Coconino Open gives Northern Arizona a larger classical tournament with a FIDE-rated Open section. Meanwhile, the local chess network offers more regular tournament and club opportunities in Flagstaff.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
