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!
This tournament is not a Junior and not Senior event - it is primarily for players between 21 and 50 - however, any player rated over 2199 may participate, irrespective of age.
Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel and Conference Center
5440 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018
Simple version - you may play if you are between 21 and 50, OR if you are a master or above.
Must be either:
1. Rated above 2199, OR
2. Between age 21 or over as of 1/1/2026 & under age 50 as of 6/19/2026
Players under 2199 and (under age 21 as of 1/1/2026 or age 50 or over as of 6/19/2026) are not eligible.
* 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.
* 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.
* Players may win both a cash award and an age award.
Open:
* Prizes: $2000-$1250-$750; U2400: $500; U2200: $500; U2000: $500; U1800: $300
* Plaque to the top player in each age category: 21-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49
* Top Woman $500
Reserve (Under 1800):
* Prizes: $550-$450-$400; U1600: $400-$200; U1400: $400; U1200: $400; U1000: $400
* Plaque to the top player in each age category: 21-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49
* Top Woman: $500
GMs, free entry.
IMs, WGMs, 50% off entry.
FMs, 25% off entry.
"Onsite" entries will be done online at the site. Players registering late will possibly receive an automatic ½ bye in round one.
*Summary of FIDE-US Chess rules differences 2023
-> 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.
Email: contact@cavemanchess.com
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:
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.
Prizes: It is important to see all of our terms and conditions for prize payment at Terms and Conditions for Prizes. Key rules include:
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.