Growth Chess Winter Open

January 22–24, 2027
Comfort Suites Johnson Creek Conference Center
725 Paradise Ln, Johnson Creek, WI 53038

$3,000 Cash Prize Fund

Three sections: Premier (1800+ or Play-Up), Reserve (Under 1801), and Booster (Under 1201).

Premier and Reserve offer both 3-day and 2-day schedules. Booster is a one-day Saturday tournament.

Saturday Night Blitz on January 23!

Premier (1800+ or Play-Up)

Open to all players. Players rated under 1800 may enter Premier for an additional $20 play-up fee. $10 of each play-up fee will be added directly to the Premier prize fund.

$1,500 based on 40 players

  • 1st — $500
  • 2nd — $300
  • 3rd — $200
  • U2200 — $250
  • U2000 — $250

Entry Fee

  • $75 by January 10
  • $85 by January 17
  • $105 after January 17

Players rated under 1800 entering Premier: +$20 play-up fee

Free entry for players rated 2200+ if committed by January 10.
$50 deducted from any prize won.

Reserve — Under 1801

$1,000 based on 40 players

  • 1st — $350
  • 2nd — $250
  • 3rd — $150
  • U1600 — $125
  • U1400 — $125

Entry Fee

  • $75 by January 10
  • $85 by January 17
  • $105 after January 17

Booster — Under 1201

$500 based on 20 players

  • 1st — $200
  • 2nd — $125
  • 3rd — $75
  • U1000 — $50
  • Top Unrated — $50

Entry Fee

  • $40 by January 10
  • $55 by January 17
  • $70 after January 17

Prizes

Players are eligible for only one cash prize. If eligible for more than one prize, the player will receive the highest-value prize.

Tied prizes will be divided equally.

Prize funds are based on the number of entries in each individual section and may be adjusted based on section attendance.

Premier & Reserve — 3-Day Schedule

Friday, January 22

  • Round 1 — 6:00 PM

Saturday, January 23

  • Round 2 — 10:00 AM
  • Round 3 — 4:00 PM

Sunday, January 24

  • Round 4 — 10:00 AM
  • Round 5 — 3:30 PM

Time Control: G/90+30, increment beginning with move 1.

Premier & Reserve — 2-Day Schedule

Saturday, January 23

  • Round 1 — 10:00 AM
  • Round 2 — 1:00 PM
  • Round 3 — 4:00 PM

Sunday, January 24

  • Round 4 — 10:00 AM
  • Round 5 — 3:30 PM

Rounds 1 & 2: G/60 d5
Rounds 3–5: G/90+30, increment beginning with move 1.

The 2-day and 3-day schedules merge beginning with Round 3.

Byes

One 1/2-point bye is available in the Premier or Reserve section in Rounds 1–4.

Bye requests must be submitted before the beginning of Round 2.

Accelerated pairings may be used.

Reentry

Players entered in the 3-day Premier or Reserve may reenter the 2-day schedule for $50.

Reentry deadline: 9:00 AM Saturday.

A player who reenters begins the 2-day schedule with a new tournament score. The Friday game remains US Chess rated.

Booster — Saturday Only

4-Round Swiss — G/30+5

Saturday, January 23

  • Round 1 — 10:00 AM
  • Round 2 — 11:15 AM
  • Round 3 — 1:00 PM
  • Round 4 — 2:15 PM

Eligibility

All entrants must be current members of the US Chess Federation. US Chess membership may be purchased before the tournament or at the tournament site.

Registration

Register at:
https://www.kingregistration.com/register/GCWO26

Questions?
Email info@growthchess.com or text/call 608-852-0126.

Hotel Lodging

Special tournament room-block information coming soon.

Saturday Night Blitz

Join us Saturday night following Round 3 for a separate US Chess-rated Blitz tournament.

Saturday, January 23 — 8:00 PM

Register for Blitz here. 

Refund Policy

More than 24 hours before Round 1:
Refund minus $5 administrative fee or one-time transfer to a comparable Growth Chess tournament within 3 months.

Less than 24 hours before Round 1:
50% refund or one-time transfer to a comparable Growth Chess tournament within 3 months.

After Round 1 begins:
Entry fees are non-refundable and cannot be transferred.