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.

• $5 through May 19th
• $10 through June 12th
• $20 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: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Side Events:

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