The Dreaming King Open 2027 takes place in Los Angeles, California, USA, from January 16–18, 2027, with a $20,000 guaranteed prize fund. The tournament is organized by San Diego Chess Club and is a State Championship qualifier.
This six-round Swiss tournament has seven sections and separate two-day and three-day schedules. The three-day games use 100 minutes plus a 30-second increment. In the two-day schedule, the first three games use 40 minutes with a five-second delay, then players join the longer schedule in Round 4. Only the Elite section’s longer games are FIDE rated.
Players may register online through ChessWaves or by mail. Entry fees rise across the announced deadlines, while eligible title holders receive free entry subject to prize deductions. Southern California residents must hold Southern California Chess Federation membership, and each player must bring chess pieces, board and clock.
📌 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | The Dreaming King Open 2027 |
| 📅 Dates | January 16–18, 2027 |
| 📍 City | Los Angeles, California |
| 🌍 Country | United States |
| 💰 Prize Fund | $20,000 guaranteed |
| 🏛️ Venue | Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX, 5985 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA |
| ♟️ Organizer | San Diego Chess Club |
| ⚡ Format | Classical (two-day / three-day options) |
| ⭐ Rating | US Chess; Elite long-time-control games also FIDE Standard |
| 🔢 Rounds | 6 |
| 🔄 Pairing System | Swiss |
| 🧩 Sections | Elite, U2100, U1900, U1700, U1500, U1300, U1100 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 3-day: G/100+30; 2-day first three: G/40,d5 |
| 💳 Standard Entry Fee | $130 by December 23, 2026; later rates apply |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The six-round Swiss tournament offers two schedules that merge in Round 4. For the full three-day schedule, players have 100 minutes and a 30-second increment per move. The two-day schedule instead begins with three faster games at 40 minutes and a five-second delay, then merges with the three-day schedule for the remaining rounds.
| Rule | Condition |
|---|---|
| Three-day schedule | G/100 + 30-second increment |
| Two-day Rounds 1–3 | G/40 with 5-second delay |
| Two-day Rounds 4–6 | Join three-day schedule; G/100 + 30-second increment |
| FIDE rating | Elite section only, excluding the fast first three games of the two-day schedule |
| Ratings used | January 2027 US Chess supplement |
| Half-point bye | One allowed when requested at least one hour before the round |
| Final-round bye | Must be requested before Round 2 and is irrevocable |
| Re-entry | $75 from three-day to two-day, for players under 2300 |
🏆 Prize Fund
The tournament guarantees $20,000 in awards. The payout below is the complete published breakdown by playing division, including the additional below-2300 awards within Elite.
Elite
| Rank / category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | $2,400 |
| 🥈 2nd | $1,500 |
| 🥉 3rd | $1,200 |
| 4th | $600 |
| 5th | $400 |
| 6th | $300 |
| U2300 — 1st | $1,000 |
| U2300 — 2nd | $600 |
U2100
| Rank | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | $1,200 |
| 🥈 2nd | $600 |
| 🥉 3rd | $400 |
| 4th | $200 |
U1900
| Rank | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | $1,200 |
| 🥈 2nd | $600 |
| 🥉 3rd | $400 |
| 4th | $200 |
U1700
| Rank | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | $1,200 |
| 🥈 2nd | $600 |
| 🥉 3rd | $400 |
| 4th | $200 |
U1500
| Rank | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | $1,200 |
| 🥈 2nd | $600 |
| 🥉 3rd | $400 |
| 4th | $200 |
U1300
| Rank | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | $600 |
| 🥈 2nd | $300 |
| 🥉 3rd | $200 |
| 4th | $100 |
U1100
| Rank | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | $600 |
| 🥈 2nd | $300 |
| 🥉 3rd | $200 |
| 4th | $100 |
Unrated players may receive only a chess clock prize rather than cash. Players with fewer than 26 rated games can receive no more than 50% of a monetary prize; the remainder passes to subsequent prize winners. Eligible GMs, WGMs, IMs and WIMs enter free, with $100 deducted from any prize won.
♟️ Sections / Groups
The competition has seven independently paired sections. The published minimum rating for Elite is 2000 on the January supplement. Other players may pay a fee to enter a higher section under the stated rules.
| Section | Rating eligibility |
|---|---|
| Elite | Minimum US Chess rating 2000; only qualifying long games are FIDE rated |
| U2100 | Under 2100; higher-section entry possible subject to $100 play-up fee |
| U1900 | Under 1900; play-up provisions apply |
| U1700 | Under 1700; play-up provisions apply |
| U1500 | Under 1500; play-up provisions apply |
| U1300 | Under 1300 |
| U1100 | Under 1100 |
📅 Schedule
The tournament runs Saturday through Monday, January 16–18, 2027. The three-day and two-day formats have separate first-round schedules, then join for Round 4. All times are Los Angeles local time (Pacific Standard Time).
Three-day schedule
| Date & Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 16 · 8:30–9:30 AM | On-site registration |
| Sat, Jan 16 · 10 AM | Round 1 |
| Sat, Jan 16 · 4 PM | Round 2 |
| Sun, Jan 17 · 10 AM | Round 3 |
| Sun, Jan 17 · 4:30 PM | Round 4 |
| Mon, Jan 18 · 10 AM | Round 5 |
| Mon, Jan 18 · 4 PM | Round 6 |
Two-day schedule
| Date & Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Sun, Jan 17 · 8–9 AM | On-site registration |
| Sun, Jan 17 · 9:30 AM | Round 1 (G/40,d5) |
| Sun, Jan 17 · 11:30 AM | Round 2 (G/40,d5) |
| Sun, Jan 17 · 1:30 PM | Round 3 (G/40,d5) |
| Sun, Jan 17 · 4:30 PM | Round 4; joins three-day schedule |
| Mon, Jan 18 · 10 AM | Round 5 |
| Mon, Jan 18 · 4 PM | Round 6 |
📝 Registration
Register using ChessWaves registration or mail an entry to the club using instructions in the official flyer. The following are tournament fees, excluding any separate federation membership dues.
| Registration item | Fee / condition |
|---|---|
| By November 30, 2026 | $110 |
| By December 23, 2026 | $130 |
| December 24, 2026 – January 7, 2027 | $150 |
| From January 8, 2027 | $160 |
| At the door | $170 |
| U1300 or unrated | $100 |
| Play-up fee | $100 |
| GM / WGM / IM / WIM | Free entry; $100 prize deduction |
| SCCF membership, Southern California residents | $25 adults; $20 for under 18 |
| Refund service charge | $15 |
The official flyer lists postal entries to SDCC, PO Box 120162, San Diego, CA 92112. For tournament questions contact Chuck Ensey at (858) 432-8006. Changes to byes and withdrawals can be managed through ChessWaves. An enquiry sent using the MyChess.Events form is not itself a confirmed official entry.
🏛️ Organizer
San Diego Chess Club is a San Diego chess organization founded in 1991 and based in Balboa Park. It organizes local rated chess as well as larger California events, including the Dreaming King Open. Chuck Ensey is the published contact for the 2027 event.
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Organizer | San Diego Chess Club |
| Event contact | Chuck Ensey |
| chucnglo@aol.com | |
| Phone | (858) 432-8006 |
| Website | Official club website |
📍 Venue
The event is hosted at Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX, 5985 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA. The hotel provides conference space, a heated outdoor swimming pool, fitness center and four on-site dining establishments. The official flyer advertises a tournament room rate subject to a December 31, 2026 reservation cutoff.
🏨 Accommodation
Staying at the playing hotel provides the easiest access to tournament rounds. Two other verified hotels on West Century Boulevard provide alternative accommodation near the airport. Links below route exclusively through Stay22 Allez.
| Hotel | Location & Facilities |
|---|---|
| Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX | The playing hotel, with four on-site dining options, heated pool and 24-hour airport shuttle. View Rooms & Book |
| Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel | 6101 West Century Boulevard, near the playing hotel, with airport shuttle and outdoor pool. View Rooms & Book |
| Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport | 6225 West Century Boulevard, close to the airport, with dining and fitness facilities. View Rooms & Book |
🍽️ Nearby Restaurants & Cafés
Four verified on-site dining establishments are available in the Sonesta hotel. Operating hours differ by venue and may change during the tournament.
| Restaurant / Café | Description & Distance |
|---|---|
| Century Taproom | Modern California-inspired pub with food and beverages; located within the playing hotel. |
| Yokoso Sushi Bar | Sushi and Japanese dishes; located within the playing hotel. |
| Boulevard Market Café | Café offering breakfast and casual meals; located within the playing hotel. |
| The Landing Restaurant | Restaurant with breakfast service; located within the playing hotel. |
🚆 How to Get There
Sonesta Los Angeles Airport is on West Century Boulevard, close to Los Angeles International Airport. The hotel runs a complimentary airport shuttle, while driving and taxi services are also practical.
✈️ By Air
The hotel reports that it is approximately one mile from Los Angeles International Airport and operates a complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle. Check hotel information for current pickup instructions.
🚗 By Car
Drive to 5985 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045. The official tournament flyer advertises parking at $16 or $26 with in-and-out/overnight privileges; confirm current prices directly with the hotel.
🚌 Public Transport
Consult Los Angeles Metro for current airport-area bus and rail connections. The best connection depends on where you begin your journey.
ℹ️ Other Information
Equipment and Fair Play
Players must bring their own sets, boards and clocks. Cell phones are prohibited in the Elite FIDE-rated playing hall. The tournament advertises a $25 fine for forfeits; notify staff if you cannot attend a round.
Championship Qualification
The tournament is a State Championship qualifier. Consult current federation rules for the applicable qualification procedure.
Useful Official Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official 2027 regulations | 2027 tournament flyer (PDF) |
| Registration | ChessWaves 2027 event |
| Federation calendar | SCCF tournament listings |
| Venue | Sonesta Los Angeles Airport |
Tournament organizer
San Diego Chess Club
San Diego Chess Club (SDCC) is an established over-the-board chess organization located in Balboa Park, San Diego, California. Founded in 1991, the…
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Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
