♟️ About King Tournaments

King Tournaments is a chess tournament organizing operation based in Illinois, United States. It was founded by William “Bill” Buklis, an experienced US Chess National Tournament Director and FIDE International Arbiter. King Tournaments works closely with King Registration, Buklis’s online chess registration platform. Together, the two provide tournament organization, registration, pairings, results, player communication, and event administration for major competitions in Illinois and beyond.

The organization focuses on US Chess-rated and FIDE-rated tournaments, including Classical opens, state championships, scholastic events, Blitz competitions, and large multi-section weekend tournaments. Its events often use several playing schedules and rating sections. Therefore, both titled players and developing club competitors can participate. King Tournaments also supplies tournament equipment and manages online entries, pairings, standings, and results through King Registration.

William Buklis is the founder and principal organizer behind King Tournaments and King Registration. He previously served as President of the Illinois Chess Association from 2016 to 2017. In 2026, Buklis continued to direct major Midwest events, including the Tim Just Winter Open XLII, Chicago Summer Open, and Illinois Open State Championship. The next edition, Tim Just Winter Open XLIII, is already scheduled for January 8–10, 2027 in Schaumburg.

💻 King Registration

King Registration is the technology and registration platform closely connected with King Tournaments. The service has operated since at least 2016 and provides online registration tools for chess organizers throughout the United States. Tournament directors can use the platform to collect entries, process payments, publish entry lists, manage event information, and display results. However, King Registration also distinguishes between events that it merely lists and tournaments that its own team organizes.

The platform now supports a large network of chess clubs, associations, academies, federations, and independent organizers. Consequently, its role extends well beyond King Tournaments’ own events. For the Tim Just Winter Open, King Registration handles the official event pages, entries, schedules, side-event registration, and results.

🏆 Tim Just Winter Open

The Tim Just Winter Open is one of the principal tournaments associated with Bill Buklis and King Tournaments. It is also a long-running event on the Illinois Chess Association tournament calendar. The 42nd edition took place from January 9–11, 2026 at Hyatt Regency Schaumburg. The event featured six rating sections and two playing schedules. Its Major and U2100 sections received FIDE rating, while the full tournament offered $10,000 in guaranteed prizes.

King Registration recorded 236 players in the main tournament. In addition, the weekend included a Saturday Night Blitz and a separate scholastic tournament. The event forms part of the US Chess Enhanced Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix. Therefore, it attracts both experienced adult players and ambitious juniors from Illinois and neighboring states.

🌟 Tim Just Winter Open XLIII – 2027

The 43rd Annual Tim Just Winter Open is scheduled for January 8–10, 2027 at Hyatt Regency Schaumburg. The tournament will again offer six sections. Major, Under 2100, and Under 1900 will be FIDE-rated, while the remaining sections will receive US Chess rating. Players can choose between three-day and two-day schedules. Most long games use G/90 +30, while the accelerated Saturday schedule begins with G/60;d10.

The tournament advertises a guaranteed $10,000 prize fund and 50 US Chess Enhanced Grand Prix points. Moreover, a Saturday Night Blitz and individual scholastic tournament will run alongside the main event. King Registration officially categorizes these events under King Tournaments, while US Chess lists King Registration as the organizer.

🌆 Major Illinois Tournament Activity

King Tournaments also works with other established Illinois organizers. In June 2026, King Registration and Wilson Chess organized the Chicago Summer Open in Schaumburg. The tournament offered six sections, three FIDE-rated divisions, and a $10,000 prize fund. The partnership continued with the 2026 Illinois Open State Championship, held September 3–7 in Lisle. King Registration and Wilson Chess won the Illinois Chess Association bid to organize both the Illinois Open and Illinois Blitz Championship.

The Illinois Open offered six sections, a $15,000 prize fund, and 80 US Chess Enhanced Grand Prix points. Its Open, U2100, and U1900 sections were FIDE-rated. These events demonstrate that King Tournaments operates both independently and in cooperation with other established chess organizations.

🏛️ William Buklis and Tournament Leadership

William “Bill” Buklis founded both King Registration and King Tournaments. He is a US Chess National Tournament Director and a FIDE International Arbiter. Buklis has organized and directed tournaments throughout Illinois as well as events outside the state. His work includes large weekend Opens, state championships, FIDE-rated sections, scholastic tournaments, and international-title competition.

He also has experience in chess administration. Buklis served as President of the Illinois Chess Association from 2016 through 2017. His combination of tournament direction and registration technology allows King Tournaments to manage both the competitive and administrative sides of large chess events.