Tim Just Winter Open XLII
Players head to the Chicago suburbs for the Tim Just Winter Open XLII, a weekend tournament that runs from January 9–11, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg in Schaumburg, Illinois, USA. You compete in six rating-based sections with two flexible schedules, choose between a 3-day or 2-day format, and fight for a guaranteed $10,000 prize fund in a familiar national-level venue.
You join a US Chess Heritage Event with US Chess Enhanced Grand Prix Points: 50 and US Chess Junior Grand Prix status, play long classical games in the Major and Under 2100 FIDE-rated sections, and enjoy side action with a Saturday Night Blitz tournament. The organizers set clear rules for byes, re-entry, and play-up options, so you can tailor the weekend to your rating, schedule, and competitive ambitions.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | Friday, January 9 to Sunday, January 11, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, 1800 E Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173, USA |
| ♟️ Format | Weekend open with 6 rating-based sections and 2 schedules (3-day and 2-day) |
| ⭐ Rating | US Chess rated in all sections; Major and Under 2100 also FIDE rated |
| 📂 Sections | Major (FIDE), Under 2100 (FIDE), Under 1900, Under 1700, Under 1500, Under 1300 |
| ⏱️ Time control | 3-day: G/90;+30; 2-day: first two rounds G/60;d10, then G/90;+30 after merge |
| 🏁 Number of rounds | 5 rounds in each section |
| 💰 Prize fund | $10,000 guaranteed across all sections |
| 💳 Entry fees | $95 online by January 1; $105 online by January 8; $115 later or onsite |
| 🎯 Grand Prix | US Chess Heritage Event, Grand Prix and Enhanced Grand Prix (50 points), part of US Chess Junior Grand Prix |
| 📝 Organizer notes | You may play up one section for $15 extra; re-entry costs $45 (no Major-to-Major re-entry); organizers supply boards, sets, and clocks |
🏆 Prize Fund
Major (FIDE Rated)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,200 |
| 2nd | $600 |
| 3rd | $400 |
| 4th | $200 |
Under-2100 (FIDE Rated)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,000 |
| 2nd | $500 |
| 3rd | $300 |
| 4th | $200 |
Under-1900
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,000 |
| 2nd | $500 |
| 3rd | $300 |
| 4th | $200 |
Under-1700
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $800 |
| 2nd | $400 |
| 3rd | $200 |
| 4th | $150 |
Under-1500
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $600 |
| 2nd | $300 |
| 3rd | $200 |
| 4th | $100 |
Under-1300
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $400 |
| 2nd | $200 |
| 3rd | $150 |
| 4th | $100 |
Unrated players face prize caps by section: maximum $100 in U1300, $150 in U1500, $200 in U1700, $250 in U1900, and $300 in U2100.
Saturday Night Blitz
| Place / Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st overall | $150 |
| 2nd overall | $90 |
| 1st Under 2100 | $70 |
| 1st Under 1900 | $70 |
| 1st Under 1700 | $60 |
| 1st Under 1500 | $50 |
| 1st Under 1300 (or Unrated) | $40 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
In the 3-day schedule you play Game/90 with a 30-second increment from move one (G/90;+30) in all five rounds.
In the 2-day schedule you play Game/60 with a 10-second delay (G/60;d10) in the first two rounds, then join the 3-day schedule with G/90;+30 for rounds three to five.
All sections follow Swiss pairings; Major and Under 2100 use FIDE rules, while the other sections use US Chess rules.
The default forfeit time equals one hour after the scheduled start of each round.
You may request ½-point byes in any rounds (maximum two) if you fix all your bye choices by the end of Round 2.
Organizers allow re-entry for $45, with the restriction that you cannot re-enter the Major section into Major again.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating notes | Rounds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major | Open section; strongest players and titled competitors; FIDE + US Chess rated | 5 | Suitable for masters and ambitious high-rated players |
| Under 2100 | Under 2100 rating; FIDE + US Chess rated | 5 | Strong class and expert section |
| Under 1900 | Under 1900 rating | 5 | Solid group for class players |
| Under 1700 | Under 1700 rating | 5 | Ideal for improving club players |
| Under 1500 | Under 1500 rating | 5 | For developing players; play-up option available from lower sections (rating 1100+ required to play up into U1500) |
| Under 1300 | Under 1300 and unrated players | 5 | Entry-level section with prize caps for unrated players |
📅 Schedule
Main Event – 3-Day Schedule
| Date | Time | Round |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, January 9, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. | Round 1 |
| Saturday, January 10, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. | Round 2 |
| Saturday, January 10, 2026 | 4:00 p.m. | Round 3 |
| Sunday, January 11, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. | Round 4 |
| Sunday, January 11, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. | Round 5 |
Main Event – 2-Day Schedule
| Date | Time | Round / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, January 10, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. | Round 1 (G/60;d10) |
| Saturday, January 10, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. | Round 2 (G/60;d10) |
| Saturday, January 10, 2026 | 4:00 p.m. | Round 3 (G/90;+30, merges with 3-day) |
| Sunday, January 11, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. | Round 4 (G/90;+30) |
| Sunday, January 11, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. | Round 5 (G/90;+30) |
Saturday Night Blitz
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, January 10, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | 4 double rounds of G/3;+2 (one game as White and one as Black per round) |
📝 Registration
You register online and secure your place through the King Registration event page:
Registration link: https://www.kingregistration.com/event/timjust26
Main event entry fees:
$95 if you register online by January 1
$105 if you register online by January 8
$115 after that or onsite
Titled player benefits:
Grandmasters (GM) and Women Grandmasters (WGM) receive free entry.
International Masters (IM) receive $50 off the entry fee.
Additional rules:
You may play up one section for $15 extra, but you must hold at least a 1100 rating to play up into the Under 1500 section.
Three-day onsite entries after 6:30 p.m. on Friday receive a mandatory ½-point bye in Round 1.
Two-day onsite entries after 9:30 a.m. on Saturday receive a mandatory ½-point bye in their first round.
Refunds follow a $15 processing fee policy.
Saturday Night Blitz registration:
Blitz entry fee: GMs free; $20 if you enter by January 9; $25 later or onsite.
Registration link: https://www.kingregistration.com/event/winterblitz26 or onsite by 8:00 p.m. on Saturday.
👥 Organizer
King Registration organizes the Tim Just Winter Open XLII and handles all entries, payments, and pairings for the weekend. The team brings extensive experience with large Midwest events and coordinates the tournament staff, schedules, and side events in cooperation with US Chess.
Organizer: King Registration
Email: info@kingregistration.com
🏨 Venue
You play all rounds at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, located at 1800 E Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173, USA. The hotel offers large ballrooms suitable for six sections, comfortable seating, and on-site amenities that make it easy to focus on your games while your family enjoys the surrounding shopping and restaurant options.
🛎️ Accommodation
The Hyatt Regency Schaumburg serves as both the tournament venue and the official chess hotel. Organizers offer a special chess rate of $114 per night under the event block until December 19, subject to availability. You book directly with the hotel and reference the tournament group rate or use the dedicated booking link:
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Schaumburg
Address: 1800 E Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173, USA
Group booking link: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/CHIRW/G-WIOP
You align your stay with the playing schedule from Friday evening through Sunday and reserve early to secure the discounted rate before the block fills.
🚗 How to Get There
Schaumburg lies in the northwest Chicago suburbs with direct access from major highways. Drivers reach the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg via E Golf Road and nearby interstates, park on site, and walk straight into the tournament area.
From Chicago O’Hare International Airport, you typically travel by taxi, rideshare, or rental car and arrive at the hotel in roughly 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic. Local players can also combine Metra rail or regional bus routes with a short rideshare trip to reach the venue comfortably.
🧾 Other
Organizers provide boards, sets, and clocks for all sections, so you do not need to bring your own equipment.
FIDE rules govern the Major and Under 2100 sections, while US Chess rules govern the Under 1900, Under 1700, Under 1500, and Under 1300 sections.
The default time for all sections equals one hour after the scheduled round start, in line with US Chess standards.
You can launch your 2026 chess season with a competitive five-round open in Schaumburg, chase rating gains and Grand Prix points, and enjoy a full weekend of classical games and blitz action at the Tim Just Winter Open XLII. Bring your best preparation, choose the schedule that fits your life, and turn this winter classic into one of your most successful events of the year.