Kentucky Open

June 5 - 7, 2026

$8,000 Prize Fund (Based on 180 Paid Entries)

Two Sections, Open & Scholastic (<1300)

Pairings and Standings will be posted on ChessRoster. 

Location:

Indiana Wesleyan University

1500 Alliant Avenue

Louisville, KY 40299

 

Registration: 

King Registration only or onsite. If you encounter registration issues, reach out to daromott@gmail.com. 

Onsite Registration for the 3-day section before Friday @ 6:30 PM (3-Day) & Saturday @ 9:30 AM (2-day) to ensure a first round pairing.

Players arriving after registration will receive one half-point bye and will be paired in subsequent rounds. Half-point byes may be requested for any round during registration only (2 max). Must commit to byes before round 4.

Format:

US Chess Membership is Required. 

Two Sections (Open and Scholastic) - USCF Rated with class prizes. Scholastic players pay a reduced rate.

This is an open tournament. Anyone may play in the open section but expect to play players with a wide variety of ratings. 

Scholastic players must specify their section if rated less than 1300. Scholastic players with a rating greater than 1300 will be placed in the Open Section. 

5SS G/90;+30; $8,100 b/180

Accelerated pairings will be used at the discretion of the Chief Tournament Director.

Entry Fees: 

Entry Fee - $60 in advance if paid by 5/17/2026; $75 by 6/1/2026. $100 on site and after 6/1/2026.

$40 for scholastic players if paid by 6/1/2026. $50 on site and after 6/2/2026.

KCA membership included for Kentucky residents. 

Titled Players: Contact the KCA President, Daro Mott, regarding possible conditions. They are limited; therefore, act soon.

Re-Entry Fee is $50.

Prizes:

This is a qualifying event for the 2026 Kentucky Closed Championship scheduled for July 18 - 19, 2026. More information can be found here: 2026 Closed Path

KY Open Champion: $1,200; 2nd place = $600; 3rd Place = $300

U2200 Prize: $200

Class A (1999 - 1800): 1st = $400, 2nd = $200, 3rd = $100

Class B (1799 - 1600): 1st = $400, 2nd = $200, 3rd = $100

Class C (1599 - 1400): 1st = $400, 2nd = $200, 3rd = $100

Class D (1399 - 1200): 1st = $400, 2nd = $200, 3rd = $100

Class E (1199 - 1000): 1st = $400, 2nd = $200, 3rd = $100

Class F and Below: (999 and below): 1st = $400, 2nd = $200, 3rd = $100

Scholastic Prizes: 1st = $400, 2nd = $200, 3rd = $100

Top Unrated = $160

Bonus Prizes 

Top Female Player = $180

Best Upset = $100

Top KY Resident U1900, U1700, U1500 = $120

Schedule:

The Open is a five-round Swiss tournament.

3-day schedule:  Fri: 7:00 PM | Sat: 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM | Sun: 10:00 AM & 3:30 PM (all G/90 inc/30)

2-day schedule:  Sat: 10:00 AM & 1:30 PM (G/60 inc/30), then merge with 3-day at 5:00 PM (G/90 inc/30)

Half-point byes allowed in rounds 1-4, limit 2, must be committed before round 3.

Annual KCA Board Meeting: 2:10 - 3:00 PM, June 7th. 

Other:

Annual meeting of the Kentucky Chess Association (KCA) Board between rounds 4 and five. 

Please bring boards, sets, and clocks. Sets and clocks will be provided for players in the scholastic section. 

Hotel reservation deals: None Presently. 

 

Contact: 

Tournament Organizer Daro Mott

daromott@gmail.com or (502) 608 3577

Website: Kentucky Chess Association