The U.S. Open Chess Championship is one of the oldest and most prestigious open chess tournaments in the United States.
Unlike the invitational U.S. Chess Championship, the U.S. Open is open to players of all skill levels, from beginners to grandmasters, provided they register.
The winner earns a spot in the next U.S. Chess Championship, making it one of the country’s most important qualifying events.
Competitors are paired against opponents of similar scores as the tournament progresses.
Each year, numerous titled players compete, including: Grandmasters (GM), International Masters (IM), FIDE Masters (FM). For lower-rated players, it’s a rare opportunity to face elite competition.
Winning the U.S. Open earns qualification for the next U.S. Chess Championship, one of the nation’s most prestigious invitational events.
US Chess will broadcast the top games live on Twitch, complete with expert commentary and analysis.
What: 2026 U.S. Open Chess Championship
When: August 3-9, 2026
Where: DeVos Convention Center (Grand Rapids, MI)
Homepage
https://new.uschess.org/us-open-2026