The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino will host the 2026 National Open from June 10–14, 2026. Organized by Vegas Chess Festivals, the tournament features multiple sections designed to accommodate a wide range of participants, including titled players, club competitors, and junior players.
With a guaranteed prize fund of USD 100,000, the tournament combines high-stakes professional play with a flexible, accessible structure designed to accommodate players of all skill levels.
The tournament uses a Swiss System format across several distinct sections:
The Open Section: This flagship section plays a 9-round Swiss with a classical time control of G/90 +30. It is FIDE-rated (using June ratings) and offers the most prestigious title on the line: the winner is declared the National Champion and receives a replica of the Edmondson Cup.
Under Sections (U2300 down to U1250): These sections provide competitive environments for players based on their US Chess ratings. They feature 7-round Swiss formats with a time control of G/90 +30, designed to balance serious competition with manageable tournament duration.
Beginners Section: Specifically curated for newer adult players (unrated or rated under 800), this compact 5-round Swiss event uses a G/25 +5 time control. It runs as a daily event, allowing newcomers to experience the tournament environment without the fatigue of a multi-day classical event.
While the Open section maintains a traditional five-day rhythm, the Under sections offer multiple schedule options. Players can choose from four-day, three-day, or two-day formats. These options allow for faster early rounds for those with limited time, eventually merging into the main pairing flow, ensuring all participants compete for the same prizes regardless of their chosen schedule. The Beginners section further simplifies the experience with daily entry options.
The tournament features a $100,000 guaranteed prize fund distributed across all sections. The Open section offers a first-place prize of $10,000, with payouts continuing through 9th place and additional awards for Top Under 2500 and Under 2400 performers.
Substantial cash prizes are also allocated to the Under sections:
U2300 & U2100: First place in each section awards $7,000, with top-nine payouts.
U1900 & U1700: First place awards $6,000 and $5,000, respectively, with top-nine payouts.
U1500 & U1250: The U1500 section awards $3,400 to the winner, while the U1250 section awards $2,400, including specific performance prizes for U900 and U700 players.
The Beginners section operates on a daily and overall performance basis, with specific cash prizes for the top three scorers each day and overall event leaders. Additionally, a Mixed Doubles category is available, offering a total prize fund of $2,600 to the top three teams.
Registration for the 2026 National Open is currently open via the Vegas Chess Festival website.
Tiered Pricing: Entry fees increase closer to the event date. Early registration is highly recommended to secure the best rates and avoid the on-site surcharge.
Equipment: While boards and sets are provided by the organizers, players are required to bring their own digital chess clocks.
Rating Rules: The tournament uses June FIDE ratings for the Open section and June US Chess ratings for all other sections. Tournament directors reserve the right to move players up if their recent playing strength significantly exceeds their published rating.
Byes: Half-point byes may be requested in any round, provided they are requested at least two hours in advance (with stricter rules for Sunday/last-round byes).
For those traveling to the event, the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino serves as both the venue and the host hotel, simplifying logistics and allowing players to remain immersed in the tournament atmosphere throughout the week.
