MICHAEL A. SELIG MEMORIAL/59TH NORTHEASTERN OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 

 

January 31 - February 1, 2026

 

Holiday Inn 

Manitowoc, WI 

 

Three sections: 

OPEN, RESERVE and NOVICE 

 

Same $1,400 prize fund with lower entry fees!! 

OPEN 

(b/50) 

1st Place - $300 

2nd Place - $200  

1900 - $160 

1800 - $150 

1700 - $140 

1600 - $130 

U1600 - $120 

 

Travelling trophy to top NorthEastern WI finisher 

 

RESERVE 

(U1500) 

(b/20) 

 

1st Place - $70 

2nd Place - $50 

1200 - $40 

U1200 - $40 

 

NOVICE 

(U1000) 

 

Marble trophies to 1st – 5th Place 

 

A 2026 Wisconsin Chess Tour Event!

 

registration

The 59th NORTHEASTERN Open Championship is open to players of all strengths.  All sections are US Chess rated.  US Chess membership is required.  Special two-month memberships are available.  Late entries will be accepted at the site from 8:45 to 9:30 AM on Saturday, January 31st.

 

format 

The 2026 NORTHEASTERN will be held in three sections:  OPEN, RESERVE (open to players rated under 1500) and NOVICE (open to players rated under 1000).   Unrated players may enter any section.  Both OPEN and RESERVE groups will play FIVE games with Rounds at 10:00 – 2:30 – 7:30 Saturday, then 10:00 – 3:00 on Sunday.  Time Control is Game/90; i30.  A half-point Bye is allowed in any round.  Full-pt Bye to 2100+ in Rd. 1 if preregistered and requested.  The Novice section plays SIX games with a Time Control of Game/45; i15.  Rounds are at 10:00 – 1:00 – 3:30 – 6:30 on Saturday.  10:00 and 1:00 on Sunday.  Two byes are allowed in the Novice section. 

 

other info 

Sets and boards are furnished; please bring your chess clock.  NEWCA Procedural Rules will be in effect.  Pairings by WinTD.   

For additional information contact organizer Mike Nietman by phone at (608) 467-8510 before January 30 or e-mail to:  mike.nietman@charter.net. 

 

playing site

The Holiday Inn, 4601 Calumet Ave., Manitowoc, is the host to our event.  Reserve rooms early.  Hotel cutoff is January 25!  The rate is $99 guaranteed only until January 25.  This includes breakfast!  You must mention the tournament to get this rate.  Make your reservation early and cancel within 48 hours before the tournament to avoid any fees if you decide not to play.  The hotel’s phone number is (920) 682-6000.  Please stay at the host hotel in order to keep costs low and the prize fund robust!

 

entry fees 

Online entry fees include credit card charges.  The early online Entry Fee for the OPEN section is $47.61; the RESERVE is $32.17; the NOVICE is $21.88 all if received by Tuesday, January 27th.  Online late entries are OPEN $52.75, RESERVE $37.32 and Novice $27.03.  Masters receive a comp entry if pre-registered with the entry subtracted from any winnings.  Please make your check payable to:  Mike Nietman and mail to 2 Boca Grande Way, Madison, WI  53719.  If you pre-register but then cannot play, your entry less any fees paid by the organizer for online registration, will be refunded only if you notify the TDs before the first-round pairings are made at 9:30 AM on Saturday, January 31.   

Note this is NOT a football weekend!