American Open

Chess Championship

Scholastic Tournaments

  1. Chess Camp – Mon, Tue, Wed
  2. Novice – Friday
  3. Grandmaster Simul Exhibition – Friday
  4. Junior Varsity (JV) – Saturday or Sunday
  5. Varsity – Saturday & Sunday
  6. Grandmaster Lectures – Saturday and Sunday
Change Request Form
  1. Chess players are encouraged to bring their own chess clock if available, and to have it set to the relevant time controls.
  2. Chess board and pieces will be provided.
  3. US Chess Federation membership are required for Junior Varsity and Varsity tournaments

I. Novice – non-rated tournament for beginners

  • Date: Friday, Nov. 28
  • Sections* are by grade level
  • Time Control: Game 15 min
  • Rounds*: # of games varies depending on group size
    • 9:30 am (Seating)
    • 9:45 – 11:30 am (1st half)
    • 11:30 – 12:30 pm (Lunch)
    • 12:45- 2:30 pm (2nd half)
    • Awards at 4:00 pm
  • Awards:
    • Top 10 Individual Trophies per section and
    • Top Team trophy per section
  • Entry Fee:
    • $100 by 8/31
    • $110 by 9/30
    • $120 by 11/23
    • $150 by 11/27
  • Registration ends by November 27. No onsite registration.
Advance LIst
Register for NOvice Division
  • *Sections and round times are subject to change depending on number of players registered. Please make sure to pay attention to announcements and postings.
  • Refund requests must be received in writing by email to play(at)americanopen.org. Withdrawals/Refund requests are subject to $25 admin fee.

II. Junior Varsity – Rated tournament where players are grouped with consideration of their grade level and US Chess rating. Shorter time control than Varsity.

  • Date: Saturday, November 29
  • Awards:
    • Top 10 individual trophies per section AND
    • Top 3 team trophies per section
  • Sections*
    1. K – 2nd Under 200
    2. K – 2nd Under 400
    3. K – 2nd Open (400+)
    4. K – 3rd Under 300
    5. K – 3rd Under 500
    6. K – 3rd Open (500+)
    7. K – 5th Under 500
    8. K – 5th Under 800
    9. K – 5th Open (800+)
  • Rounds*
    • Rd 1: 9:30 AM
    • Rd 2: 11:15 AM
    • Rd 3: 1:00 PM
    • Rd 4: 2:30 PM
    • Rd 5: 4:00 PM
    • Awards at 6 pm
  • Time Control: Game 30 min / delay 5 sec
  • Entry Fee
    • $101 by 8/31
    • $121 by 9/30
    • $141 by 11/23
    • $201 by 11/27
  • Registration ends by November 27. No onsite registration
  • additional $30 for section changes requested after November 10, 2025
Register for JV Saturday
Advance List
  • Date: Sunday, November 30
  • Awards:
    • Top 10 individual trophies per section AND
    • Top 3 team trophies per section
  • Sections*
    1. K – 12th Open (1200+)
    2. K – 12th Under 1200
    1. K – 9th Open
    2. K – 9th Under 1000
    1. K – 6th Open (900+)
    2. K – 6th Under 900
    3. K – 6th Under 600
  • Rounds*
    • Rd 1: 9:30 AM
    • Rd 2: 11:15 AM
    • Rd 3: 1:00 PM
    • Rd 4: 2:30 PM
    • Rd 5: 4:00 PM
    • Awards at 6 pm
  • Time Control: Game 30 min / delay 5 sec
  • Entry Fee
    • $101 by 8/31
    • $121 by 9/30
    • $141 by 11/23
    • $201 by 11/27
  • Registration ends by November 27. No onsite registration
  • additional $30 for section changes requested after November 10, 2025
Register for JV SUnday
Advance List
  • *Sections and round times are subject to change depending on number of players registered. Please make sure to pay attention to announcements and postings.
  • Refund requests must be received in writing by email to play(at)americanopen.org. (please change “(at)” to the “@” symbol) Withdrawals/Refund requests are subject to $25 admin fee.
Photo by Christine Nguyen

III. Varsity – Two-day schedule of US Chess rated tournament for advance players. Time control is longer than JV. Players have to play both days: Saturday and Sunday.

  • Date: Sat & Sun, November 29-30
  • Sections:
    • K – 3rd Grade
    • K – 6th Grade
    • K – 12th Grade
  • Rounds*
    • Rd 1 – Sat 9:30 AM
    • Rd 2 – Sat 12:30 PM
    • Rd 3 – Sat 3:00 PM
    • Rd 4 – Sun 9:30 AM
    • Rd 5 – Sun 12:30 PM
    • Awards on Sunday at 3:30 pm
  • Time Control: Game 60 min / delay 5 sec
  • Awards:
    • Top 10 Individual Trophies per section, AND
    • Top 3 Team trophies per section
  • Entry Fee:
    • $102 by 8/31
    • $122 by 9/30
    • $142 by 11/23
    • $202 by 11/27
  • Registration ends by November 27. No onsite registration
  • additional $30 for section changes requested after November 10, 2025
Register for Varsity
Advance List
  • *Sections and round times are subject to change depending on number of players registered. Please make sure to pay attention to announcements and postings.
  • Refund requests must be received in writing by email to play(at)americanopen.org. Withdrawals/Refund requests are subject to $25 admin fee.

If planning on not playing a round, please request for half-point bye (maximum one round). Request must be received by Thursday, November 27. Requests received thereafter, especially on the day of the tournament, will receive a zero-point for that round.

Novice
All grades K-12th grade		Junior Varsity
K – 5th Grade		Junior Varsity
K – 12th Grade		Varsity
Descriptionnon-rated tournament
for beginners		Rated tournament where players are grouped with consideration of their grade level and US Chess rating.Rated tournament where players are grouped with consideration of their grade level and US Chess rating. Rated tournament for advance players.
Time control is longer than JV.
Players have to play both days: Saturday and Sunday.
DayFridaySaturdaySundaySat & Sun
Sections*By grade levelK – 5th Open
K – 5th Under 800
K – 5th U500

K – 3rd Open
K – 3rd U500
K – 3rd U300

K – 2nd Open
K – 2nd U400
K – 2nd U200		K – 12th Open
K – 12th Under 1200
K – 9th Open
K – 9th U1000
K – 6th Open
K – 6th U900
K – 6th U600		K – 3rd Open

K – 6th Open

K – 12th Open
Time ControlGame 15 minGame 30 min / delay 5 secGame 30 min / delay 5 secGame 60 min / delay 5 sec