Grab your chance to join the event at a special reduced advertised price! For details and to register, visit: https://cavechess.cc/orc Don’t wait—secure your spot today!

2026 U.S. Blind Open Championship!

$5,000 Guaranteed!

June 20th, 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

We will be fundraising and, if possible, will assist with hotel costs.

Registration:

Enter at https://cavechess.cc/orc !

Format and Section:

4-Round Swiss System with one section.

Time Control is G/90+30.

Equipment: Please bring your own sets, boards and clocks. We will have extra clocks if the need arises.

Schedule:

* Saturday 6/20 12:00 PM, 5:00 PM

* Sunday 6/21 10:00 AM, 3:00 PM

We will award $100 to each US Blind player who completes the playing schedule, 
again, to reduce the player’s costs.

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

Prizes: $5,000 unconditionally guaranteed!

  • 1st: $1,000, 2nd: $800, 3rd: $700, 4th: $500
    U1600 $300-$200; U1400: $300-$200; U1200: $300-$200; U1000: $300-$200

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

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

  • $10 through May 19th
  • $15 through June 12th
  • $25 after that; NO ONSITE ENTRIES!

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

Resources:

*2023 FIDE Laws of Chess

*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: contact@cavemanchess.com

Side Events:

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

Summary of Key Terms and Conditions:

This is a summary of essential Terms and Conditions. To see all Terms and Conditions, go to https://www.cavemanchess.com/terms-conditions

Withdrawals: To withdraw from an event, go to https://cavechess.cc/withdraw and fill out the form. Emails will be ignored.

Refunds: Go to the Terms and Conditions link above for the entire policy. Here are important points:

  • Processing refunds is secondary to running the event without a hitch
  • While we attempt to pay refunds sooner, our policy is to pay within ten business days following the event.
  • In our standard refund policy, refunds incur a fee as follows:
     
    • For registrations $20 and below, a $5 fee
    • For registrations from $20.01 to $60, a $10 fee
    • For registrations above $60, a $15 fee

Registration Corrections and Changes: Please verify the information before submitting the registration. For example, some browsers with persistent "autofill" tools often overwrite a participant's name with the name of the person completing the registration.

  1. To make a change/correction, do not email. Go to https://cavechess.cc/change, to process changes.
  2. There is a $5 fee for each (set of) changes.

Prizes: It is important to see all of our terms and conditions for prize payment at Terms and Conditions for Prizes. Key rules include:

  • Prizes are paid within 10 business days of the later of the end of the event or the receipt of a W9 [or W-8 if applicable] if one is required (cumulative prizes for the year from Caveman Chess to you are over $600.)
  • Prize winners need to provide appropriate information to receive their prizes electronically via our online form.

Photographs/Video: By registering, you agree to allow photographs and video of your image to be posted on our websites or related social media. Titled players and players at least age 13 agree to the use of their full name on our websites or social media along with images. Players under the age of 13 must be registered by their parents or guardians who agree that their names can be used in tournament standings or other listings, their first names may be used in general photos or videos, and their full names may be used in prize photos or videos.

Participants or their legal representatives agree to these terms by registering the player.

Caveman Chess pays our Tournament Directors and Staff fairly, often exceeding Cook County's minimum wage. Unlike other chess providers who hire staff as independent contractors and usually pay less, we believe in fair compensation. Consider this when comparing our entry fees with others.