Kentucky Open Championship

June 5 - 7, 2026

$8,000 Prize Fund (Based on 180 Paid Entries)

5SS

Four Sections 

Section 1 (1900+): 2 & 3 Day Options

Section 2 (1899 - 1400): 2 & 3 Day Options

Section 3 (1399 - 1000) 2 & 3 Day Options

Section 4 (U1000): 2 - Day Only 5SS

Pairings and Standings will be posted on ChessRoster. 

Special scholastic rate with family and sibling discount.

Location:

Indiana Wesleyan University

1500 Alliant Avenue

Louisville, KY 40299

 

Registration: 

King Registration only or onsite. If you encounter registration issues, reach out to daromott@gmail.com. 

On-site registration for the 3-day section before Friday @ 6:30 PM (3-Day) & Saturday @ 9:30 AM (2-day) to ensure a first round pairing.

Players arriving after registration will receive one half-point bye and will be paired in subsequent rounds. Half-point byes may be requested for any round during registration only (2 max). Must commit to byes before round 3.

Format:

US Chess Membership is Required. 

Four Sections - USCF Rated with class prizes. Scholastic players pay a reduced rate.

This is a section based tournament. The sections are assigned by ratings. Players may play up if within 100 points of the minimum rating for the section. Kentucky residents who payers in section one are eligible for the Kentucky Closed Championship regardless of age. Qualifiers for the Junior Closed and Women and Girls Closed Championship will be selected from the best performance in the strongest section for Kentucky residents only.

5SS G/90;+30; $8,000 b/180 Accelerated pairings will be used at the discretion of the Chief Tournament Director.

Entry Fees: 

Entry Fee - $60 in advance if paid by 5/17/2026; $75 by 6/1/2026. $100 on site and after 6/1/2026.

$40 for scholastic players if paid by 6/1/2026. $50 on site and after 6/2/2026. Use Coupon Code, KYOPEN upon checkout by 6/1 and Coupon Code, KYOPEN2 thereafter for scholastic players. Any player who uses the scholastic code for a purpose for which it was not intended will be withdrawn from the tournament.

A family and sibling discount is available at half the rate after the first family member pays. Email daromott@gmail.com with USCF ID of the first child and USCF ID of siblings after you pay for the first sibling. Paypal will be used for the family and sibling discount. 

KCA membership included for Kentucky residents. 

Titled Players: Contact the KCA President, Daro Mott, regarding possible conditions. They are limited; therefore, act soon.

Re-entry fee is $30 for players in the 3-day section.

Prizes:

This is a qualifying event for the 2026 Kentucky Closed Championship scheduled for July 18 - 19, 2026. More information can be found here: 2026 Closed Path

Section 1 (1900+) 1st = $1,500, 2nd = $600 3rd = $300 4th = $180

U2200 Prize: $120

U2000 = $120

U1900 = $120

Top KY in Section = $120

Section 2 (1899 - 1400):1st = $500, 2nd = $300 3rd = $200

U1700, U1600, U1500 = $120

Top KY in Section = $120

Section 3 (1399 - 1000):1st = $500, 2nd = $300 3rd = $200

U1300, U1200, U1100 = $120

Top KY in Section = $120

Section 4 (999 & Below): 1st = $500, 2nd = $300 3rd = $200 (Medals will be awarded for places 1-5)

U900, U800, U600 = $120

Top KY in Section = $120

Top Unrated = $240

Bonus Prizes 

Top Female Player = $120

Best Upset = $140

Schedule:

The Open is a five-round Swiss tournament.

3-day schedule:  Fri: 7:00 PM | Sat: 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM | Sun: 10:00 AM & 3:30 PM (all G/90 inc/30)

2-day schedule:  Sat: 10:00 AM & 1:30 PM (G/60 inc/30), then merge with 3-day at 5:00 PM (G/90 inc/30)

2-day schedule U1000: Sat: 10:00 AM & 1:30 PM & 4:00 PM |Sun: 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM (G/60 inc/10),

Half-point byes allowed in rounds 1-4, limit 2, must be committed before round 3.

Annual KCA Board Meeting: 2:10 - 3:00 PM, June 7th. 

Other:

Annual meeting of the Kentucky Chess Association (KCA) Board between rounds 4 and five. 

Please bring boards, sets, and clocks. Sets and clocks will be provided for players in the U-1000 section. 

Hotel reservation deals: None Presently. 

Contact: 

Tournament Organizer Daro Mott

daromott@gmail.com or (502) 608 3577

Website: Kentucky Chess Association