2nd annual Universal Open Info + Registration
June 12th-15th - $70,000 - Dallas / Fort Worth
The event is open to the first 400 players registered! Be sure to register to reserve your spot, we do anticipate this event selling out.
The tournament is 7 Rounds, G/90+30, Swiss non-elimination.
6 sections, Championship, 2000-2199 USCF, 1800-1999 USCF, 1500-1799 USCF, 1200-1499 USCF, U1200 USCF.
Every section is USCF Rated. Championship, 2000-2199, and 1800-1999 sections are FIDE Rated. June USCF Ratings will be used, and USCF Rules for prizes.
Location: COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT DALLAS ALLEN AT ALLEN EVENT CENTER, TEXAS
Entry list is available HERE
Schedule:
4 day schedule round times: 6/12: 6:00pm. 6/13: 10:00am, 3:00pm. 6/14: 9:00am, 2:30pm. 6/15: 10:00am, 3:00pm.
3 day schedule round times: 6/13: 10:00am, 3:00pm. 6/14: 9:00am, 2:30pm, 7:30pm. 6/15: 10:00am, 3:00pm.
Both Schedules merge during the 6th round on Sunday
Grandmaster Gala: At 8:00pm Friday we throw a massive party that does not coincide with any round times. The Grandmaster Gala is a party for all players, residents, family, and anyone else looking to enjoy the highest level of chess LIVE. The gala consists of watching two super grandmasters play a heads up blitz match for a large cash prize, celebrities compete on the big stage for their shot of becoming the universal celebrity champion, grandmaster simuls, and food / drinks. All ages are welcome, we expect all attendees to dress formally. Tickets come with a purchase of any entry for our event, tickets are also sold individually.
Prizes: $70,000 -
The largest cash prize event in texas
75% guaranteed in the main event & blitz, 25% added at 400 fully paid entries. 100% guaranteed prizes for the scholastic.
Championship: $4000-2000-1200-800 top FIDE Under 2300: $2000-1000
2000-2199: $3500-1400-1200-1000-800-500
1800-1999: $3500-1400-1200-1000-800-500
1500-1799: $3500-1400-1200-1000-800-500; Top Under 1700: $1500 - $500
1200-1499: $3200-1400-1200-1000-800-500 Top Under 1400: $1500 - $500
U1200: $3000-1400-1000-800-500
Super Grandmaster Match: $3000 - $2000
Scholarships Scholastic: $10,000
Registration:
There are three types of registration, normal tournament entry and VIP entry (these are both for the open event and for all ages). The third option is for kids wanting to play in both the Open event, and the Scholastic event. The VIP registration is a bundle deal that will save you money if you were to buy the side events separately. However, both registration options still include a play up fee of $100 if a player enters in a section above their rating class.
Normal Tournament Registration: $265 to play in any section. After May 14th entry will increase to $295, after June 2nd entry will increase to $325. After June 10th entry will increase to $345 and will be the same for on-site registration. This option comes with one ticket to the grandmaster gala. To register with this option, click HERE.
(RECOMMENDED) VIP Registration: $375 to play in any section. Comes with a memorable shirt, free blitz entry, a signed board of both of our Super GM’s to register with this option, and two tickets to the grandmaster gala. click HERE.
Kids Bundle: Want to play in both the Open event and the Scholastic Scholarship Event? By taking a half point bye in the Saturday morning round, players can play in both events. Instead of purchasing both events separately, we have made a bundle that will save you money, to see options click HERE.
Important Mention: We do offer a summer camp of four days of instruction with top grandmasters before the Universal Open begins, this camp is for all ages (but most registrants are kids). Summer camp attendees can get a package deal with the Universal Open Entry, and Scholarship Scholastic Entry all for a discounted price together. To view these options click HERE.
Just want to play in the Scholastic but not the Open event? Click HERE. Just want to play in the Blitz but not the Open event? Click HERE.
Hotel:
The hotel is offering rooms for just $129 under our booking link. Reach out to us if you have any issues getting our rate! The link to book is HERE
Side Events:
Annual Luis Salinas Blitz: Blitz event will be held Friday during the Grandmaster Gala, at 10:00pm, 5 double rounds G/3;d2. Registration will be online only and will cost $74, must register online before 7pm. Player who registered with the VIP Package receive blitz entry for free, to redeem and claim attendance players must go to the TD Desk during a previous round at the event and make us aware that you will be there.
Universal Open Scholastic: Saturday 8:00am - 2:30pm , players must be in K-12th grade (class of 2024 may play). All players get a free ticket to watch the stadium events right after (celebrity chess tournament + super grandmaster match). To register for this event click HERE
Extra Information
USA Players without a FIDE ID that are playing in a FIDE Rated section (check if your section is FIDE Rated) must email us their full name, USCF ID, email, DOB, email address, and agree to receive a USA FIDE ID Number.
All GM’s receive free entry, few IM’s that registered very early receive free entry. All players who receive free entry will have regular entry deducted from prizes.
Because this is a limited capacity event, closed to the first 400 players, entry is refundable by 75%. There are no refunds within two weeks of the event start date.
Players should bring clocks, boards are provided.
The blitz is part of the open event prize fund and is attached to the 75% guarantee. The blitz is not uscf rated.
Prize limits for special cases:
Unrated players can win 50% of a prize in the U1200, and no more than $1,000 in any other section. If player has FIDE Rating but not USCF (mostly foreign players), they should play in a section comparable to their FIDE, and the unrated prize restrictions will not apply, must email us to use this option. Foreign players must disclose their FIDE ID before round 1 with us to ensure they are in the correct section. Players with less than 10 registered regular rated games on USCF will be held to the same prize restrictions as Unrated players. The TD may withdraw prize limits from players if they deem it necessary, a common example is if someone has a FIDE but not a USCF rating. These exceptions can be made when the player is in contact with the director/organizer.
If a player goes through the registration process and selects “not playing up”, but does select a section higher than their rating, they will be adequately placed in the section of their rating. It will say “Relocated” next to their name on the entry list. We will not change their section unless we are emailed and the playup fee is paid.
Players that have been over 50 points (rating) the section maximum at any time in 2024 may only win $800. Balance of any limited prize goes to the next eligible player(s) in line.