2026 U.S. Junior Open Championship!

$11,000 Guaranteed! 150 Enhanced Grand Prix Points

June 19th, 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

Registration:

Enter at https://cavechess.cc/orc !

Eligibility:

Players must be under age 21 as of January 1, 2026 (born after January 1, 2005).

U21 section - Under age 21, born after January 1, 2005

U15 section - Under age 15, born after January 1, 2011

U11 section - Under age 11, born after January 1, 2015

U8 section - Under age 8, born after January 1, 2018

Format and Sections:

* 6 Round Swiss System with 4 sections: (based on age as of 1/1/26): U21, U15, U11, U8.

* The U21 and U15 sections are FIDE-rated and US Chess-rated. Other sections are US Chess-rated only.

* The FIDE-rated sections uses FIDE rules, while the others use US Chess rules.

Equipment: Boards, sets, scoresheets and clocks provided by Caveman Chess, LLC.

U21 and U15 Entry Fee - Online Only - Do not request discounts after cut-offs:

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

• $75 through April 7th
• $115 through May 3rd
• $150 through May 19th
• $175 through June 12th
• $200 after that; NO ONSITE ENTRIES!

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

U11 and U8 Entry Fee - Online Only - Do not request discounts after cut-offs:

• $50 through April 7th
• $75 through May 3rd
• $95 through May 19th
• $115 through June 12th
• $150 after that; NO ONSITE ENTRIES!

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

Time Controls:

U21 and U15: G/90; +30

U11 and U8: G/60; d5

U21 and U15 Schedule:

» 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

U11 and U8 Schedule:

» Saturday 6/20: 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:30 PM

» Sunday 6/21: 8:30AM , 11:00 AM, 1:45 PM

Byes:

» Two ½ point byes are available for use in any round, and they must be confirmed by the end of round 2.

Prizes: $11,000 unconditionally guaranteed!

• U21 (Open) $2,000; $1,500; $1,000; $500; $500 plus $500 to 2027 U.S. Junior Invitational eligible qualified (Must be age-eligible, must finish 1st or tied for first after excluding any non-eligible foreign players, tie-breaks used as necessary)
  – Top Girl: $500, $300, $200.
  – U2200: $300 - $200; U2000: $300 -$200; U1800: $300 - $200; U1600: $300 - $200; U1400: $300 - $200
  – Individual Plaques to top 10 overall.
  – Plaques for top players aged 18, 17, 16, 15, and under 15.
  – Team Prize: $500 to top school team, plaques for 1st-3rd teams (three plaques per team).
• U15 – 15 plaques
  – $500 for 1st
  – Individual Plaques to top 10 overall.
  – Plaques for top players aged 14, 13, 12, 11, and under 11.
• U11 – 14 Plaques
  – $300 for 1st
  – Individual Plaques to top 10 overall.
  – Plaques for top players aged 10, 9, 8, and under 8.
• U8 – 13 Plaques
  – $200 – 1st
  – Individual Plaques to top 10 overall.
  – Plaques for top players aged 7, 6, and under 6.

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

Resources:

* FIDE Laws of Chess: 2023 FIDE Laws of Chess

* Summary FIDE Laws of Chess and US Chess Federation rules differences: 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/Quick (6/20, $1k)
• Junior Open Blitz (6/20, $1k)