Club tournament
2026 Northern Open
About This Tournament
2026 Northern Open
The Minnesota State Chess Association's Northern Open returns October 3-4, 2026 at the Renaissance Bloomington Hotel. The tournament is the finale of the 2026 MSCA Summer Grand Prix Series and features a projected $5,500 prize fund based on 125 players.
Main Tournament
5-Round Swiss • US Chess Rated
Sections:
- Premier
- U1800
- U1400
- U1000
Time Control: G/60 +30
Rounds
- Saturday: 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM
Forfeit time is 30 minutes after the scheduled round start.
Players may request up to two ½-point byes in any rounds if declared before Round 3.
Novice Scholastic
New for 2026: a Saturday-only unrated section for K-12 players rated under 1000 or unrated.
- 4-Round Swiss
- Time Control: G/25 +5
- Saturday rounds: 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM
- Awards: 4:30 PM
- Trophies for 1st-5th
- Chess sets and clocks provided
- One ½-point bye allowed if declared before Round 2
- MSCA and US Chess memberships are not required for this section
Entry Fees
| Deadline | Premier | U1800 | U1400 | U1000 | Novice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By Sept. 4 | $80 | $70 | $70 | $60 | $30 |
| By Sept. 18 | $90 | $80 | $80 | $70 | $35 |
| By Oct. 2 | $100 | $90 | $90 | $80 | $40 |
| Onsite | $110 | $100 | $100 | $90 | $45 |
Online registration closes Friday, October 2 at 7:00 PM. Onsite registration is available Saturday morning until 9:30 AM. Onsite payment is cash/check only.
Projected Prizes
Premier
- 1st: $825
- 2nd: $425
- 3rd: $250
- Top U2100: $100
- Top U1900: $100
U1800
- 1st: $625
- 2nd: $375
- 3rd: $225
- Top U1700: $150
- Top U1500: $150
U1400
- 1st: $575
- 2nd: $325
- 3rd: $175
- Top U1200: $125
- Top U1000: $125
U1000
- 1st: $425
- 2nd: $225
- Top U800: $100
- Top U600: $100
- Top Unrated: $100
Novice Scholastic
- Trophies for 1st-5th
Total projected prize fund: $5,500 based on 125 players.
Unrated players may only win the unrated prize in the U1000 section or an overall 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place prize in the Premier section.
Membership Requirements
Current MSCA and US Chess memberships are required for the four main rated sections.
The Novice Scholastic section does not require either membership.
Officials
Chief Tournament Director: Jiten Patel
MSCA Organizer: Shanti Krishna
Venue
Renaissance Bloomington Hotel
Northern Lights Ballroom
5500 American Blvd West
Bloomington, MN 55437
Additional Information
- Part of the MSCA Summer Grand Prix Series
- 3% of main tournament entry fees support the MSCA Youth Scholarship Fund
- MSCA Electronic Device and Fair Play Policy will be enforced
- MSCA Safe Play & Conduct Policy applies
- Published unrated players who have a FIDE rating must disclose it
- Accessibility requests will be accommodated to the best of MSCA's ability
Registration is handled directly by the Minnesota State Chess Association through its existing registration system.
Questions: msca.board@gmail.com
Register
This tournament uses another provider for registration
Renaissance Bloomington Hotel Northern Lights Ballroom 5500 American Blvd West Bloomington, MN