2026 U.S. Senior Open Championship!

$13,100 Guaranteed! 120 Grand Prix Points

June 19th, 2026 - June 21st, 2026

Playing Site and Room Bookings:

Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel and Conference Center

5440 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018

• $132 rate per night for 1-4 people (www.cavechess.cc/festival-tourneys-hotel)
• Includes free breakfast ($25 value) for two people. $10 for additional persons.
• Indoor pool
• Fitness center
• While there is a parking fee, it has been reduced to $13 per day from the usual $30. This means that the combined cost of the hotel rate and parking is comparable to the rates at our past hotels.
• Phone: (877) 337-5793
• Arrange room sharing: https://www.cavemanchess.com/forum

Registration:

Enter at https://cavechess.cc/orc !

Eligibility:

Open to players age 50 and older as of June 19, 2026

Format and Sections:

* 6-Round Swiss System with 2 Sections, Open and Reserve (U1800)

* Time Control: G/90; +30

* The Open Section is FIDE rated and uses FIDE rules.

* The Reserve section is US Chess rated only and does not use FIDE rules.

Schedule:

* Friday 6/19: 1:00 PM, 6:00 PM

* Saturday 6/20: 9:00 AM, 2:30 PM

* Sunday 6/21: 9:00 AM, 2:30 PM

Byes: Two half-point byes available for any round must commit before the end of round 2.

Equipment: Boards, sets, scoresheets and clocks provided by Caveman Chess, LLC.

Prizes: $13,100 Guaranteed!

 * Players may win both a cash award and an age award.

Open:

* Prizes: $2000-$1500-$1000-$500; U2400: $500-$200; U2200: $400-$200;

U2000: $400-$200; U1800: $400-$200

* Plaque to the top player in each age category: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+

* Top Woman $500-$400-$300

* Winner receives Invitation to the US Senior Championship (Tie-break if needed).

Reserve (U1800):

* Prizes: $500-$400-$300; U1600: $400-$200; U1400: $400-$200; U1200: $400-$200; U1000: $400-$200

* Plaque to the top player in each age category: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+

* Top Woman: $400-$250-$150    

Entry Fee - Online Only - Do not request discounts after cut-offs:

GMs, free entry.
IMs, WGMs, 50% off entry.
FMs, 25% off entry.

• $75 through April 7th
• $115 through May 3rd
• $150 through May 19th
• $175 through June 12th
• $200 after that; NO ONSITE ENTRIES!
• +$30 for playing up
• $60 for round 2 re-entry with a 1/2 point bye for round one.

"Onsite" entries will be done online at the site. Players registering late will possibly receive an automatic ½ bye in round one.

Resources:

* FIDE Laws of Chess: 2023 FIDE Laws of Chess

* Summary FIDE Laws of Chess and US Chess Federation rules differences: Summary of FIDE-US Chess rules differences 2023

Transportation:

-> The hotel is located just 5 -10 minutes from O’Hare Airport , traffic dependent. Participants can also take the Blue Line “L” from O’Hare to the first stop, and then walk half a mile to the hotel.
-> Shuttle Service: There is a shuttle service available from the hotel to O’Hare Airport.

Questions:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Side Events:

• Senior/Medior/Quick (6/20, $1k)
• Junior Open Blitz (6/20, $1k)