2026 North Central Open (3-day, 2-day, 1-day schedules; top section is FIDE rated)

December 25 - 27, 2026

Register  Entry List

 

2026 North Central Open

*FIDE rated*three sections*

$3,500 in prizes*WCA tour event*

December 26th weekend

Escape the Holiday Frenzy

 

 

Choice of schedules. Converge in Round 2:

  • 3-day: play one game on Fri evening, two games on Sat, two games on Sun
  • 2-day: play three games on Sat, two games on Sun
  • 1-day: play three games on Sat, take two byes on Sun
  • need to skip a round or two? two half-point byes available 
  • Join the 2026 U.S. G/10 Championship on Saturday night

 

PLAYING SITE: Madison Marriott West Hotel (1313 John Q Hammons Dr., Middleton, WI 53562; 608-831-2000)

Special Chess Rate is $99. This rate includes free parking, free internet, and a heavily discounted breakfast buffet.  Booking link: reserve your room for NCO 2026

Please request specific room type and breakfast vouchers when you check in. If you need help reserving a room, please contact the organizers and we will make sure you get the chess rate. 

 

EQUIPMENT: uniform equipment (boards, sets, clocks) is provided and should be used

 

QUESTIONS: email is by far the best way to contact the organizers until 2:00pm on Friday, December 25th. Texting is preferred after that and works much better than calling. Alex Betaneli abetaneli@hotmail.com or 608-334-2574 (text), Chris Wainscott: chris.wainscott13@outlook.com or  414-839-5232 (text)

 

Three sections: Premier (FIDE rated), Reserve (Under 1901), and Booster (Under 1301)

 

 

 

SECTIONS                                    

PRIZES: $3,500 (based on 100 entries)

Premier 

 

1st Place:        $500 + traveling trophy

2nd Place:       $300

3rd Place:        $200

Under 2201:    $200

Under 2001:    $200

Reserve

Under 1901

 

1st Place:         $400

2nd Place:        $300

Under 1701:     $200

Under 1501:     $200

Booster

Under 1301

 

1st Place:         $400

2nd Place:        $300

Under 1101:     $200

 

Top Unrated:     $100

 

 

A player can only win one cash prize, the largest one they qualify for. For tied players in a specific prize category, the prize money is divided equally (e.g., two players tied for 1st split the 1st and 2nd place money). Blitz play-off for the traveling trophy if there is a tie for 1st place in the Premier section. 

 

Notation is mandatory for the entire game except for Round 1 of the 2-day schedule. Premier section is FIDE rated except for Round 1 of the 2-day schedule.
 

Organizers reserve the right to choose the highest of the published ratings (Regular, Rapid, Online Regular, Online Rapid, FIDE) for the purpose of section selection, pairings, and prizes. Only regular ratings are affected by this event.

 

Unrated players may not play in Premier and may not win over $200 in Booster. 

 

 

ENTRY FEES TIME CONTROLS AND PLAYING SCHEDULE
  • $99 online by 12/8
  • $109 online by 12/22
  • $119 after 12/22 
  • 3-day entries after 5:00pm Fri may be assigned a ½-point bye for round 1
  • 2-day entries after 7:00am Sat may be assigned a ½-point bye for round 1
  • You may play up one section for $50 extra 
  • 1/2 point byes OK all rounds, must commit before round 1 (maximum two byes)
  • Reentry available for $70 

3-day
G/90+30 second increment

  • Friday 7:00pm
  • Saturday 11:00am, 4:00pm
  • Sunday 10:00am, 3:00pm

2-day
Round 1: g/30+5 second increment, then merges with 3-day schedule

  • Saturday: 9:00am
  • Saturday: 11:00am, 4:00pm
  • Sunday: 10:00am, 3:00pm

 Accelerated pairings might be used.

Refund Policy: If you register for the tournament and are unable to make it, please notify us at least two hours in advance of the start of round one. If this is done, then the IAC will refund your entry fee less the cost of online registration ($1) and payment processing ($0.30 + 2.9% of the entry fee.)