$125,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund!
$125,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund! 9 Rounds Open, All Other Sections 7 Rounds with 3 Schedules
The NATIONAL OPEN is one of America’s longest running premier Open tournaments.
No tournament in U.S. history was handled with more regard for the comfort and convenience of the players than the first National Open and we are proud to continue the tradition of this National Championship.
First established by Ed Edmondson in 1965, Fred Gruenberg brought the tournament back to Las Vegas in 1983. He and Alan Losoff organized the National Open for over 25 years and added to its well-deserved reputation as The Chess Vacation of the Year. 
Over the years, with additional championships and events, the National Open has grown to become the centerpiece of the Las Vegas International Chess Festival.
Alan and Janelle Losoff have organized the tournament since Fred retired in 2009, but he continues to support the tournament as a player and with the “Freddie” awards for promising players under the age of 15.
The National Open is a 7 round (9 rounds for the Open Section) Swiss System tournament, and you can choose between the standard 4-day or alternate 3-day or 2-day playing schedules. Half-point byes are available for all rounds, with proper notice to the Tournament Directors or with your advance entry. The Open, Under 2300 and Under 2100 Sections will be FIDE rated.
Chess sets and boards are provided for tournament play only, not for skittles. Please Bring Increment-capable Chess Clocks. Live broadcasts of select games from the National Open, and other events will be available here and on some of our sponsor web sites.
Thank you to our many loyal players who keep coming back year after year, for the Chess Event of the Year!Swiss System US Chess Rated Tournament
9 Round FIDE rated Open Section with GM & IM norms possible
7 Rounds in Lower Sections
Under 2300 and Under 2100 Sections are also FIDE rated
Beginners section has 3 separate 1-day schedules of 5 rounds each
Time Control
G/90 +30 second increment
3-day rounds 1 & 2 Game/60 +10 second increment
2-day rounds 1 – 4 Game/25 +5 second increment
Beginners Sections Game/25 +5 second increment
(Please bring clocks, none provided although you can buy one from the Chess Store!)
Sections & Eligibility
Open (Championship) Under 1900
Under 2300 Under 1700
Under 2100 Under 1500
Under 1250 with separate under 900 and under 700 prizes
Beginners: Unrated, provisional rating under 1250, or established rating under 800
Open section is open to all players. Under sections are open only to players with ratings lower than the section limit. Players with provisional ratings (based on 25 games or fewer) may not win an amount greater than 40% of the top prize in any under section of the National Open; the balance of the prize goes to next players in line.
Players without official ratings may only play in one of the top 2 sections or in one or more Beginner section schedules. Verified foreign ratings may be used if reliable conversion is possible.
FIDE has updated all ratings. We convert the new FIDE ratings to USCF by the following formula
- USCF = FIDE + 50, if FIDE greater than 2200
- USCF = FIDE + (2300 – FIDE)/2, if FIDE between 2100 & 2200
- USCF = FIDE + (FIDE-1800)/3, if FIDE between 1800 & 2100
- USCF = FIDE if FIDE less than 1800
June FIDE ratings will be used for the Open section, official June US Chess ratings will be used for all other sections. Other ratings, including US Chess online ratings, may be used if higher. If your rating changes in the June supplement you will be moved up automatically or down on request. Players rated more than 100 points higher than the section limit during the last year may be moved to a higher section.
The decision of the chief tournament director regarding eligibility, rating adjustments, conversions, unofficial ratings, the CCA minimum rating list, or other rating issues is final.
Every effort will be made to start players in the appropriate section, but if an error is discovered late in the tournament it will be corrected. If there is any reason you may not be eligible for the section you entered, be sure to ask for a review before Round 1 is paired.
Mixed Doubles Prizes
2-player teams, with one male player and one female player. The average rating of the teammates must be below 2200. Teammates may play in different sections or schedules of the National Open. Each player must sign up on site before both players have started round 2. Prize limits do not apply. Only the first 7 round results are used for players in the Open Section; the best day counts for players in the Beginners Section.
Byes
1/2 point byes are available in any round if requested at least 2 hours in advance. Sunday & last round byes must be requested before start of round 4 and may not be cancelled after round 4 starts.
Membership
Membership in the U.S. Chess Federation is required of all players except foreign GMs or IMs. You may join with your entry or on site. Players will not be allowed to complete the tournament without a valid membership.
Registration:
- Wednesday 4:00-5:00 p.m.
- Thursday 2:00-5:00 p.m. (for 4-Day Schedule)
- Friday 9:00-10:30 a.m. (for 3-Day Schedule)
- Saturday 8:00-8:30 a.m. (for 2-Day Schedule)
- Deadline for mixed doubles signup is before the start of round 2 for the player in the shorter schedule.
5-Day Schedule (Open Section Only):
- Wednesday 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
- Friday 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday 10 a.m. & 3:30 p.m.
- Sunday 10 a.m. & 3:30 p.m.
4-Day Schedule (Under Sections Only):
- Thursday 6:30 p.m.
- Friday 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday 10 a.m. & 3:30 p.m.
- Sunday 10 a.m. & 3:30 p.m.
3-Day Schedule (Under Sections Only):
- Friday noon, 3 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. (join 4-day)
- Saturday 10 a.m. & 3:30 p.m.
- Sunday 10 a.m. & 3:30 p.m.
2-Day Schedule(Under Sections Only):
- Saturday 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. (join 4-day)
- Sunday 10 a.m. & 3:30 p.m.
Beginners Schedules:
- Friday Orientation and Welcome at noon (optional)
- Friday 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.
- Saturday 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. & 5 p.m.
- Sunday 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. & 5 p.m.
Byes
1/2 point byes are available in any round if requested at least 2 hours in advance. Sunday or last round byes must be requested before start of round 4 and may not be cancelled after round 4 starts.
Default Time
Players who arrive at the board more than 30 minutes after the round has started will be forfeited and removed from the tournament. They may be reinstated on request.
| OPEN | U2300 | U2100 | U1900 | U1700 | U1500 | U1250 | Beginners | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10,000 | 7,000 | 7,000 | 6,000 | 5,000 | 3,400 | 2,400 | Each Day 300 200 100 |
| 2nd | 5,000 | 3,500 | 3,500 | 3,000 | 2,500 | 1,700 | 1,200 | |
| 3rd | 2,500 | 1,750 | 1,750 | 1,500 | 1250 | 800 | 600 | |
| 4th | 1,000 | 900 | 900 | 700 | 600 | 400 | 350 | Overall 400 300 200 |
| 5th | 500 | 450 | 450 | 400 | 350 | 350 | 350 | |
| 6th | 400 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | |
| 7th | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | U900* 850 U700* 700 |
|
| 8th | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | ||
| 9th | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | ||
| U2500* | 2,500 | *no provisional | ||||||
| U2400* | 2,400 | |||||||
| Provisional Rating Prize Limit | 2,800 | 2,800 | 2,400 | 2,000 | 1,360 | 960 | no max | |
Plus Score Bonus $25,000 Guaranteed
in addition to any other prizes, every player with a plus score (5/9, 4/7 or 3/5) wins a $50 gift certificate. Plus score certificates will be awarded on site only and may be claimed as soon as the plus score is achieved.
Mixed Doubles
combined score for Male/Female Team with an average rating below 2200
1st $1,500, 2nd $750, 3rd $350
Edmondson Cup
The winner of the Open Section is the National Open Champion and receives a replica of the Edmondson Cup in addition to the cash prize.
The Freddie:
The best played game by a player age 14 & under wins the FREDDIE in honor of Fred Gruenberg plus $200. The top 3 runners up win $100, $50 and $50. Sunday evening rounds are not eligible.
–
* Players with only provisional ratings (25 games or fewer)
may not win an amount greater than 40% of the top prize in any rating restricted section of the National Open. The balance of the prize goes to the next player(s) in line. Players provisionally rated below 1250 may choose to play in any or all of our 3 Daily Beginners Sections where they are eligible for all prizes.
Players who do not wish to compete for cash prizes may fill out a confidential waiver, and all prizes will be donated to the school or organization of their choice.
Open Section
- $249 by 4/30, $269 by 5/28, $289 later. $31 more on site.
- $200 additional for players not rated 2200 and above or 2100 FIDE and above.
- Free to Grandmasters, Woman Grandmasters, and foreign International Masters by 5/28.
- $60 discount for International Masters and Woman International Masters (must play all rounds) by 5/28.
- $40 discount for seniors 65 and over who enter by 5/28.
Under Sections
- $249 by 4/30, $269 by 5/28, $289 later. $31 more on site.
- $100 play-up fee for players rated more than 300 points below the section limit (except U1250).
- $40 discount for seniors 65 and over who enter by 5/28.
- Re-entry $150, not allowed into same section and schedule.
Beginners Section
- $129 1 day, $189 2 days, $229 3 days.
- $30 more after 5/28. $21 additional on site.
- $40 discount for seniors 65 and over who enter by 5/28.
Early Bird Discount (all sections)
- $50 discount for returning players who enter by 1/31.
Membership
Membership in the U.S. Chess Federation is required of all players except foreign GMs or IMs. You may join with your entry or on site. Players will not be allowed to complete the tournament without a valid membership.
If you are Unrated or have a new US Chess rating under 1250 this is for you!
- Open to players who are over the age 15 and have
- no published US Chess rating or
- a rating below 800 or
- a provisional (25 games or fewer) rating below 1250
- Play 5 rounds per day against other players new to tournament chess.
- Play as many days as you want.
- Swiss Tournament format means no eliminations; you play all 5 rounds each day you play.
- US Chess Rated – after the tournament you will obtain a rating.
- Great opportunity for club TDs who need more games to achieve an established rating.
- Orientation for players new to tournament chess at noon Friday (optional).
- “Beginners” means new to tournament chess, not necessarily new to chess.
Time Control
Game/25 + 5 second increment. This means you start with 25 minutes for each player and every time you make a move you get 5 more seconds added to your clock.
Prizes
- $2,700 Total Prizes
- Each day you might win these prizes
- First Place $300
- Second Place $200
- Third Place $100
- Plus Score bonus $50 Gift certificate for scoring 3/5 or better any day.
- Play 2 or more days to qualify for Best Overall Prize
- First Place $400
- Second Place $300
- Third Place $200
- Your best 2 results count for these prizes.
- Provisionally rated players are eligible for all prizes in this section.
Round Schedules
- Friday 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.
- Saturday 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. & 5 p.m.
- Sunday 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. & 5 p.m.
If you cannot play one of your games, tell us in advance. We can give you a half point for that unplayed game.
Entry Fees
- $129 1 day, $189 2 days, $229 3 days.
- $30 more after 5/28. $21 additional on site.
- $40 discount for seniors 65 and over who enter by 5/28.
Membership
Membership in the U.S. Chess Federation is required of all players. You may join with your entry or on site. Players will not be allowed to complete the tournament without a valid membership.
Prize Winners and their guests are cordially invited to join us for the Winners’ Circle Sunday June 9, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Cash Bar opens at 8:30 p.m.
No unaccompanied minors will be permitted. Snacks will be served.
Prize check availability will be announced and posted outside the door. You may pick up your checks anytime Sunday night, after your section’s results are announced.
No checks will be issued until all the prizes for a section are computed and verified.
Players winning $600 or more, must fill out a W-9 with a social security number before receiving a check. Players without a social security number will have 30% withheld from their prizes.
