A special tournament honoring the life and memory of local chess enthusiast, Ken Ferguson with $10,000 in prizes, guaranteed.
Free entry to GMs, WGMs, IMs, and WIMs.
Limited amount of free hotel stays for GMs and WGMs.
Venue: Sheraton New Orleans Hotel; 500 Canal, New Orleans, LA 70130. Fourth floor, in the Bayside Ballroom.
Tournament details: Six round, two-section, swiss system, G/90;i30, USCF rated tournament. Top section FIDE-rated.
Sections: Open and U1500. Open section is FIDE rated and directed according to FIDE rules. Players should familiarize themselves with the most common FIDE rules differences. TD reserves the right to adjust sections to match turnout.
Prize fund: $10,000 in prizes b/150 fully guaranteed.
Class prizes: Class prizes to be determined by official January USCF rating. Unrated players are eligible for class and section prizes in the open section only. Upset, female, and doubles prizes require an established rating and apply to any section.
Prize Structure:
Date: January 16-18, 2027. Estimated round schedule,
Entry fee: $100 early entry fee if purchased two weeks prior. $120 standard entry fee if purchased one week prior. $140 late entry two days prior. $150 thereafter and same day.
Eligibility: Current USCF membership required. FIDE membership required for open section. FIDE membership is free if you already have a USCF membership (we will register you).
Ratings: If a player does not have a regular rating, the highest of their quick and blitz will be used. 100 elo added to provisional ratings. Unrated players in the open should report to the tournament directors so they may attempt to assign a rating for pairing/prize purposes.
Blitz side event: $30 entry, 60% returned as prize money. 7 PM Sunday evening. USCF-rated. Six rounds of G/5;d2. Register by clicking here. Same day registration allowed. Trophy to first in top section.
Scholastic side event: Scholastic side event on Sunday, free entry if also registering for the main event, the Ken Ferguson Memorial Open. Click here to register for the Scholastic side event.
Bye policy: Two 0.5 point byes for any round available upon request, must be made prior to pairing round three in non-emergency situations. Bye requests cannot be cancelled following the start of round 3.
Parking: The Sheraton on Canal offers paid valet parking for both visitors and overnight guests. There are many private garages and lots within walking distance of the tournament hall.
Late arrivals: Games are forfeited 30 minutes after the round start time if a player has not arrived. If both players are late, time will be split between them (FIDE rule 6.7.2).
FIDE rated: Top section played in accordance with the FIDE Laws of Chess. Entrants from other federations must provide FIDE ID; any player without an IM or higher title must also provide a valid USCF member ID. No FIDE norms will be awarded.
Unrated players with foreign ratings: For unrated USCF players with established foreign ratings, the most current USCF conversion will be used (with preference toward their FIDE rating, if available) for all sections.
Equipment: A small amount of chess equipment will be provided. If you have a chess set and clock, please bring it.
Re-entry: Players may re-enter on day two with two half point byes for day one for $50.
Hotel info: We have a group rate at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel offering $199 nightly for their bedrooms. Click this link to reserve your room before the cutoff date of 26 December 2026.
Titled players: Free entry for all players with a GM, IM, WGM, or WIM title. GMs and WGMs eligible for free hotel stay as well, email info@downriverchess.com for details.
Mixed doubles: Any male & female pair may register, no extra fee required. Team average must average under 2100. May play in separate sections.
Prize payouts: Players have 30 days after the conclusion of the tournament to receive their prize. We will email you twice. Please check your email if you believe you are prize eligible.
Refunds: Players who withdraw 60 minutes before round one are eligible for a refund of their entry fee, minus any applicable payment-processor fees (typically 5-7%).
Conduct: Any player who does not shake hands with the opponent (or greets the opponent in a normal social manner in accordance with the conventional rules of their society) before the game starts or during a match (and does not do it after being asked to do so by the arbiter) or deliberately insults his/her opponent or the officials of the event, may be penalized according to FIDE law 12.9 and/or US Chess rule 13I
Spectator policy: No spectators allowed in the tournament hall. Spectators are welcome in the skittles room, pre-function space, and hotel itself.
Fair play: Players should familiarize themselves with our fair play and electronic device policy, particularly for our larger events, which may include enhanced security protocols.
Contact: Email info@downriverchess.com with all questions.
Visit www.downriverchess.com/tournaments for all other upcoming tournaments!