2026 Houston Open
November 13 to November 15, 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton, 15747 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Houston, TX
$11,550 Prize Fund
(75% guaranteed b/o 225 full entries (U1300 entries = 70% of full-paid entries)
Section Format & Time Controls
Open: FIDE & US Chess rated, 5SS, G/90;+30
Titled Players: GMs, IMs, WGMs, and WIMs pay no Entry Fee, enter online and the entry fee amount is adjusted based on the title.
U2000: FIDE & US Chess rated, 5SS, G/90;+30
U1800: US Chess rated, 5SS, G/120;d5
U1600: US Chess rated, 5SS, G/120;d5
U1600: US Chess rated,5SS, G/120;d5
Schedule and Registration
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3-Day or 2-Day Schedules |
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Round # |
3 Day Schedule |
2 Day Schedule |
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Online Registration |
Until Friday, 11/ 13, 5:00 P.M. |
Until Saturday, 11/ 14, 7:30 A.M. |
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Onsite Registration |
Friday, 11/ 13, 5:00-6:45 P.M. |
Saturday, 11/ 14, 7:30-8:30 A.M. |
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1 |
Friday, November 13 @ 7:00 P.M. |
(1) Saturday, November 14 @ 9:30 A.M. |
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2 |
Saturday, November 14 @ 1:00 P.M. |
Saturday, November 14 @ 1:00 P.M. |
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3 |
Saturday, November 14 @ 6:00 P.M. |
Saturday, November 14 @ 6:00 P.M. |
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4 |
Sunday, November 15 @ 9:30 am |
Sunday, November 15 @ 9:30 am |
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5 |
Sunday, November 15 @ 3:00 P.M. |
Sunday, November 15 @ 3:00 P.M. |
(1) Game 1 of 2-Day Schedule, All Sections - G/60, d5 (Not FIDE Rated)
Schedules merge for round 2
Once the schedules merge, all players will compete as one group within their section.
ENTRY FEES
OPEN, U2000, U1800 & U1600, $99 before 11/6; $115 by 11/11/2025; $125 thereafter and on-site.
U1300: $79 by 11/6/2026; $89 by 11/11/2026; $99 thereafter and onsite on-site.
Re-Entry Fee: $40. Available (U1800, U1600, and U1300/Unrated) before the start of Round 3; no re-entry in Open & U2000.
Re-entries = 34% of a full entry toward prize guarantee
Withdrawals before November 12th are subject to a deduction of $15 processing fee.
Withdrawals on or after November 12th will not receive a refund but will receive a credit toward a future Cypress Chess tournament, valid for one year.
Seniors (60+): $10 discount (Contact Organizer)
Blitz: $30 in-person, on-site registration only
Scholastic: Link to Come
Unrated players may only play in the Open or U1300/unrated section; however, in the OPEN SECTION they may only win 50% of the prizes awarded; in the U1300 section where unrated players are eligible for the full prize awarded.
Tournament Rules and Information:
Forfeit Rule: Players in all sections who fail to appear within 30 minutes of the round start forfeit the game unless the Chief TD otherwise provides for good cause.
Change requests: Contact the organizer or pairing chief in the backroom to re-enter, request a bye, withdraw, etc.
Byes: Two 1/2-point byes are available if requested before round 2 begins.
Chess sets are not provided
Chess clocks are not provided
A CHESS STORE WILL BE ON LOCATION SELLING CHESS-RELATED ITEMS.
Plaque and trophy winners will be determined by US Chess tiebreaks (MSCO).
Notation is required in all sections; FIDE-rated sections must use provided scoresheets and submit a complete and legible copy at the conclusion of the game
Food is not allowed in the playing hall.
Drinks in closed-top containers and water are the only exceptions.
No electronic devices in FIDE sections (except necessary medical equipment and clocks) , players in other sections may use electronic notation devices endorsed by US Chess.
Only players with an active game, tournament directors, and staff are allowed in the hall during rounds.
Refunds available until July 9, 12:00 P.M., subject to a $15 processing fee.
Players requiring accommodations due to disability or religious reasons should contact the organizer as soon as possible, preferably at least two weeks before the tournament.
Harassment of any type is never tolerated and may result in penalties up to expulsion from the tournament and Safe Play Reporting.
Spectators: Only players with games in progress and the tournament staff are allowed in the playing hall. When your game ends, you become a spectator! Spectators are not allowed in the tournament area during play!
Communication Policy
Registering for Cypress Chess events will add you to our email and text message distribution list, which is used to announce and promote future events and to send details for current events (e.g., pairings and standings links). You will be able to opt out by following the instructions in any message received or by contacting us directly.
Ratings
Players must disclose FIDE or foreign ratings when entering, or will forfeit any prize and may be expelled. Other adjusted ratings (postal, online, club, league, scholastic, state, etc.) may be used at our discretion when it is above US Chess rating. No rating below the latest official US Chess rating, on the list corresponding to the ending date of the tournament, will be used
Hotel
(take the JFK exit off of Beltway 8 in north Houston near IAH Airport)
SPECIAL HOTEL CHESS RATE: $99 & tax
NOTE: RESERVE BY JUNE 28, 2026, to secure the group rate.
To make your reservation, you can click here: 2026 HCF Hotel
To make your reservation by phone, please call (855) 610-8733 and mention (Group code - CDTHOU)
Complimentary Hotel Self-Parking (2)
Free Shuttle Service from Bush Int'l (IAH) Airport to/from hotel - call (281)-848-4000 for pick-up service
Basic Internet in Each Room!
(2) Hotel Guests use room key for in/out access. Commuters - have parking ticket validated at the hotel desk or the restaurant desk. Validation is good for 30 minutes. Issue at gate, press call button and mention Chess tournament to exit.
Prizes (75% guaranteed based on 225 full paid entries)
Commemorative Chess Clock for the oldest and furthest from home to site players.
Plaque to each section winner
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Place |
First |
Second |
Third |
Fourth |
Fifth |
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OPEN: |
$ 1,700 |
$ 900 |
$ 600 |
$ 400 |
$ 200 |
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OPEN (U2200): |
$ 700 |
$ 400 |
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U2000: |
$ 800 |
$ 400 |
$ 300 |
$ 150 |
$ 100 |
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U1800: |
$ 800 |
$ 400 |
$ 300 |
$ 150 |
$ 100 |
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U1600: |
$ 800 |
$ 400 |
$ 300 |
$ 150 |
$ 100 |
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U1300: |
$ 550 |
$ 350 |
$ 250 |
$ 150 |
$ 100 |
Side Events:
Blitz
Saturday, 11/14/2026, 9:30 PM, 5 Swiss Double Rounds, G/3+2. USCF rated.
Entry fee: $30. Registration closes 1 hour before round 1. Regular rating will be used if you don’t have a Blitz rating. 2 sections Championship (1600+) and Reserve (U1600).
Prizes (based on 20 entries): Championship: 1st $150, 2nd $75, Top U2000 $50; Reserve: 1st $125, 2nd $75.
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Houston Open Scholastic Tournament |
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Format
Open to all scholastic players. 5 round Swiss, G25;d5 3 Sections, U400, U800, Scholastic OPEN Trophy to top 7 in each section Medal to all participants!
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Schedule (Saturday 12 November) 9:00 AM Announcements 9:15 AM - Round 1 Lunch after Round 2 5:15 PM Awards |
Online Registration
https://www.kingregistration.com/event/2026HO
Contact
Peter Craney peter.craney@cypresschess.net, 713-725-2877