2026 Hornet Open
Saturday, December 5, 2026
Location:
Venue: The Preston Family Room in Emporia State University’s Memorial Union
Address: 1331 Market St, Emporia, Kansas 66801
ESU Buildings & Parking Maps | Memorial Union 2nd Floor Layout Map
Positioned in the heart of the Flint Hills, Emporia is the perfect location for a chess tournament that you can drive to on a Saturday without having to wake up at 5 AM!
We are only:
Format:
4 Round Swiss, G/45
Schedule:
Saturday December 5:
Final results and standings (including prize distribution) will be announced immediately after the conclusion of the final round, which is expected to be between 6:30 - 7:00 PM.
Registration:
$40 entry by December 4, 2026, via King Registration: https://www.kingregistration.com/event/2026HornetOpen
On-site/late registration is not available.
Membership:
USCF membership must be current for all players. Players will not be paired if USCF membership has expired.
Byes:
1 Half-point bye is offered for any round, if requested by December 4.
Equipment:
Please bring boards, sets and clocks.
Prize Fund (= to 50% of Total Entry Fees):
Open:
Reserve (U1400):
Prize amounts will be rounded up to the nearest whole dollar.
TD reserves the right to combine sections if:
If the tournament is combined into a single section, the prize breakdown will be as follows:
|
Hypothetical Prize Fund Breakdowns for a Two-Section Tournament |
|||
|
25 Players |
30 Players |
40 Players |
|
|
1st place |
Open: $150 Reserve: $100 |
Open: $180 Reserve: $120 |
Open: $240 Reserve: $160 |
|
2nd place |
Open: $90 Reserve: $60 |
Open: $108 Reserve: $72 |
Open: $144 Reserve: $96 |
|
3rd place |
Open: $60 Reserve: $40 |
Open: $72 Reserve: $48 |
Open: $96 Reserve: $64 |
|
Total |
Open: $300 Reserve: $200 Overall Prize Fund: $500 |
Open: $360 Reserve: $240 Overall Prize Fund: $600 |
Open: $480 Reserve: $320 Overall Prize Fund: $800 |
|
Hypothetical Prize Fund Breakdowns for a Single Section Tournament |
|||
|
12 Players |
18 Players |
24 Players |
|
|
1st |
$96 |
$144 |
$192 |
|
2nd |
$60 |
$90 |
$120 |
|
3rd |
$48 |
$72 |
$96 |
|
4th |
$36 |
$54 |
$72 |
|
Total |
$240 |
$360 |
$480 |
Amenities:
The venue features ample free parking, clean public restrooms, Elkay water bottle filling stations, and lots of comfortable seating options for in-between rounds.
There are several hotels within a 2-3 mile drive of the venue.
Food options near the venue (within 2-3 miles) on 6th Avenue or Industrial Road includes McDonald’s, Burger King, Spangles, Freddy’s, Sonic, Braums, Wendy’s, Arby’s, Subway, Taco Bell, Panda Express, Pizza Hut, Pizza Ranch, Domino’s, Starbucks, Scooters, Dunkin Donuts, and several local restaurants.
TD Contact Information
Chief Tournament Director
Assistant Tournament Director
Please reach out to either of us if you have any questions. We are here to help and make sure you have a positive chess tournament experience!