2026-2027 Wisconsin Junior Open

November 14 - 15, 2026

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2026-2027
 Wisconsin Junior Open 

November 14-15, 2026, Manitowoc, WI

Qualifiers for the 2027 US Open Invitational Tournaments (in Dallas, TX)

 
   
SPECIAL NOTES

Five Wisconsin Junior Open section winners will be eligible to participate in the 2027 US Open in Dallas, TX, as Wisconsin representatives to the following Championships:

  • The High School section winner will be eligible to participate in the 2027 GM Arnold Denker National Tournament of High School State Champions.
  • The top finishing girl in the High School section will be eligible to participate in the 2027 WIM Ruth Haring National Tournament of Girls State Champions.
  • The top grade 6-8 player in the Middle School section will be eligible to participate in the 2027 Dewain Barber National Tournament of Middle School State Champions.
  • The top K-5 finisher in the Elementary School section will be eligible to participate in the 2027 John D. Rockefeller III National Tournament of Elementary School State Champions.
  • The top K-3 finisher in the Elementary School section will be eligible to participate in the 2027 GM Maurice Ashley National Tournament of state K-3 Champions.

These prestigious national events will be held in Dallas, TX, August 2027. If any ties exist, a series of playoff matches will be held on Sunday night beginning 30 minutes after the last game among the qualifiers is concluded. Format is two G/30; if still tied two G/15; then G/10; then G/5.
FORMAT The WJO is open to players in grade 12 and under. This year's event has a new format. There are THREE “Rated” sections: High School (grades 9-12), Middle School (grades 6-8), and Elementary School (grades K-5); US Chess membership is required in these three sections. There are also TWO Non-Rated, Beginner sections: Grade K-6 and Grade 7-12. These two sections introduce players to more formal play, without requiring US Chess fees. US Chess memberships may be purchased on-site; your Wisconsin Chess Association membership is included in the entry. Our website address is www.wischess.org. Questions go to: serbach@gmail.com.
PLAYING SITE
Holiday Inn Reservation Site The Manitowoc Holiday Inn, 4601 Calumet Ave., Manitowoc, WI, at the intersection of I-43 and US-151. Guest rooms are $99 for a single night, or $139 for two nights. (The usual hotel tax is extra.) This special rate is available only until Sunday, Nov. 8th. These room rates include a discounted breakfast buffet. For reservations you may call (920) 682-6000 (you must mention CHESS); or you may use this link: https://tinyurl.com/JrVetsHotel. The web site shows the special $99 one-night rate for our players. If you want to stay two nights and get the special $139 rate, you need to reserve two nights at $99 each on-line; then, when you check in, the hotel will honor the $139 rate. (Scan the QR Code to the left.)
REGISTRATION
Players may register in advance online at https://www.kingregistration.com/register/WIJR2026 (Scan the QR Code to the right). Late registrations accepted at the site from 8:45-9:30 AM on Saturday, November 14. US Chess memberships are available. A Young Adult membership (ages 19-24 at expiration) is $33. A Youth membership (18 and under at expiration) is $24. Publication content is available online. A printed copy of the monthly Chess Life magazine is an additional $12. A printed copy of the bi-monthly Chess Life Kids is an additional $6. Please bring your chess clock. Chess sets and boards are provided for the playing room only! Phone inquiries: Steve Erbach at (920) 279-5688 before Friday, November 13, or e-mail: Steve Erbach (serbach@gmail.com). Register for the Wisconsin Junior Open on King Registration
SCHEDULE The 2026-2027 Wisconsin Junior Open is a five-round Swiss-System event. Under Swiss rules, all entrants play five games! Rounds start at 10:15 AM, 2:30 PM, and 7:15 PM Saturday; Sunday rounds at 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. The time control is Game/90 with a 30-second increment. One half-point bye is available for round 1, 2, 3 or 4 if requested with your advance entry, or at Late Registration on-site.
ENTRY FEES

If you enter on King Registration by Tuesday, November 10th, the early entry fees are: High School, Middle School, & Elementary School sections: $32.50. Beginner Grade 7-12 and Grade K-6 sections: $27.25. (Entry fees include King Registration service charge.)

If you'd like to enter by mail, the early entry fees are: High School, Middle School, & Elementary School sections: $30.00. Beginner Grade 7-12 and Grade K-6 sections: $25.00. Mail entry fees (check or money order; no credit cards) along with 1) your name, 2) street address, 3) email, 4) phone, 5) birthdate, 6) grade, and 7) school. If you're entering one of the rated sections then we also need your 8) USCF ID number.

Mail your advance entries so that they arrive by November 10th, to: Steve Erbach, Tournament Organizer, 939 Lincoln Blvd., Manitowoc, WI 54220. Also, 9) please indicate whether you want a half-point bye in round 1, 2, 3, or 4 (only one bye is available).

After November 10th, all entry fees are $5 more.

If you pre-register but then cannot play, your entry will be refunded (less any King Registration service fees) only if you notify the tournament director by 9:30 AM on November 14th.
PRIZES

Sixty top-quality marble-base trophies are guaranteed for the following place and rating class prizes:

High School: Top five places, top Class ‘C’ (1400-1599), ‘D’ (1200-1399), 1st & 2nd 1000-1199, 1st & 2nd 800-999, 1st & 2nd 600-799, 1st & 2nd 400-599, Under 400, 1st & 2nd Unrated, and Top Girl.
Middle School: Top five places, top Class ‘D’ (1200-1399), Top 1000-1199, Top 800-999, Top 600-799, Top 400-599, Top Under 400, Top Unrated, and Top Girl.
Elementary School: Top five places, top 1000-1199, top 800-999, top 600-799, top 400-599, top Under 400, top Unrated, and Top Girl.
Non-Rated Beginner Grade 7-12: Top five places overall, and 1st, 2nd, & 3rd in combined grades 7-9.
Non-Rated Beginner Grade K-6: Top five places overall, and 1st, 2nd, & 3rd in combined grades K-3.

All prizes will be awarded at the site after the final round. In case of ties, trophies will be awarded based on Solkoff, Cumulative, Sum of Opponent’s Cumulative and Sonneborn-Berger tie-break systems.