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85th New England Open

Tournament Details Revised: 5/17/2026 7:16:57 AM
General Information
Event Organizer: The Massachusetts Chess Association  Visit Organizer Website
Event Location: Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center (formerly Sheraton), 1657 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA 01701   [ Directions ]
Event Date: Saturday, September 05, 2026
Sunday, September 06, 2026
Monday, September 07, 2026
Time Control: 6SS; 40/120, SD/30, d10 (2-day schedule G/40; d10 in rounds 1 to 3), No 2-day schedule in Championship section.
Rounds Time: 3-day: Sat. 10:30 a.m. & 5 p.m., Sun. 10:30 a.m. & 5 p.m., Mon. 10 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.; 2-day (U2000 to U1200 sects. only): Sun. 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. & 5 p.m., Mon. 10 a.m. & 4 p.m.
Byes: Limit 2 byes, rounds 1-5 in Championship, rounds 1-6 in U2000 to U1200, must commit before the start of round 3,
Prize Info: $4,300, 100% guaranteed.
Inquiry: info@masschess.org   
Registration Information
Entry Fee: $85 for 3-day, $84 for 2-day if mailed by 8/31 or online by Wed. 9/2; $100 online by Thur. 9/3 or at site. $30 discount for players in U1200 section rated under 1000 or unrated. Free to GMs and IMs.
Registration - Onsite: 3-day: Sat. 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.; 2-day (U2000 to U1200 only): Sun. 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Registration - Mail: Payable: MACA. Mail entry to: Robert Messenger, 4 Hamlett Dr., Apt 12, Nashua NH 03062
Membership Requirement: MACA or WMCA membership required for Mass. residents; NHCA membership required for N.H. residents. US Chess membership required for all players.
Sections Information
Tournament Sections: Championship $600-300-250, top U2400 $250, top U2200 $250
Under 2000 $400-200-150
Under 1800 $400-200-150
Under 1500 $300-150-100
Under 1200 $250-130-100, top U1000 $100
Tournament Rules and Other Information
  • Players may play up by a maximum of 200 rating points (official, live, or at time of registration).
  • No 2-day schedule for the Championship Section.
  • The Championship section is FIDE rated and uses FIDE rules.
  • Free entry to GMs and IMs.
  • New England champion title to the high-scoring New England resident or student in the Championship Section.
  • Unrated prize limits: $200 in U2000, $150 in U1800, $125 in U1500, $100 in U1200.
  • Official September ratings used. Unofficial ratings usually used if otherwise unrated.
  • Please bring chess sets and clocks. No equipment is provided.
  • No credit cards at site; cash or check only.
  • MACA provides tournament listing for all as a service to the chess community. For question, comments, or dispute regarding events that are not organized by MACA, please contact the tournament organizer directly.
  • Remember that each player is responsible for bringing and setting up their clock. Please refer to the Metrowest Chess Club Digital Clock Guide for instructions on how to set digital clocks.
  • MACA does not recommend but allows US Chess approved electronic scorekeeping devices. Please note that some national tournaments held by US Chess ban electronic scorekeeping, so be sure to know how to keep score without aid of electronics.
  • If online registration is enabled on this event, you can Join/Renew your USCF and MACA membership at the online registration page. If online registration is not available, you can join MACA (The Massachusetts Chess Association) at our Online Membership Form and USCF (United States Chess Federation) at USCF Membership Page.