Labor Day Weekend • September 5–7, 2026

78th Annual New Jersey Open Championship

Over $10,000 Guaranteed in Prizes • 80 Grand Prix Points

6-SS, 40/100, SD/30 d5. Three sections: Open, Under 2000, and Under 1400.
Both 3-Day and 2-Day schedules are available.

Featured Grandmasters
Elite competition, including GMs Mac Molner, John Fedorowicz, and Joel Benjamin

Location

Delta Hotel Woodbridge
515 US-1 South
Iselin, NJ

Free parking available.

Hotel Rate

Chess rate: $165 per night.

Book online using the hotel reservation link below, or call 732-634-3600 and mention NJ Chess.

Questions?

Email tournaments@njscf.org

New Jersey Open Championship

Sections & Suggested Ratings

While players may enter any section for which they are eligible, this tournament is intended for experienced tournament players. Players significantly below the suggested ratings may find their games extremely challenging.

 Open Section: 2000+
 Under 2000 Section: 1400+
 Under 1400 Section: 600+

Players in grades K–8 rated below 600 are encouraged to play in the Scholastic tournament instead (see below).

Registration

 $75 through July 31
 $85 through August 28
 $95 through 9:00 pm on September 4
 $100 on-site, cash only
 $40 re-entry, cash only

A $5 processing fee applies to all cancellations. No refunds after 12:01 am on September 5.

Titled Players

GMs and IMs receive free entry. GMs receive up to two complimentary room nights if committed by August 5. Email tournaments@njscf.org to register.


Register for the NJ Open

Main Event Preregistration


Open Main Event Preregistration List

Prizes

Open Section

Overall: 1st $1000, 2nd $850, 3rd $700, 4th $600, 5th $500

Class 2200–2399: $200, $150

Class 2000–2199: $200, $150

Under 2000 Section

Overall: 1st $700, 2nd $600, 3rd $500, 4th $400, 5th $300

Class 1600–1799: $200, $150

Class 1400–1599: $200, $150

Under 1400 Section

Overall: 1st $600, 2nd $500, 3rd $400, 4th $300, 5th $200

Class 1200–1399: $150, $100

Class 1000–1199: $150, $100

Under 1000: $150, $100

All Sections

Trophies awarded to the top three finishers, top Senior 55+, top Junior under 18 and at least age 13,
and top player under age 13.

Unrated players are eligible to win first place in the Open Section only.

3-Day Schedule

September 5–7

On-site registration: Saturday, 10:00–11:00 am

Saturday 12:00 noon, 6:30 pm
Sunday 11:00 am, 6:15 pm
Monday 9:00 am, 3:30 pm

2-Day Schedule

September 6–7

On-site registration: Sunday, 9:00–10:00 am

Sunday 10:30 am, 12:45 pm, 3:00 pm, 6:15 pm
Monday 9:00 am, 3:30 pm

Sunday 10:30 am, 12:45 pm, and 3:00 pm rounds are G/60 d5.

Byes, Equipment, and Notes

 The 3-Day and 2-Day schedules merge in Round 4.
 Up to three half-point byes are available in Rounds 1–5 if requested at least 30 minutes before the start of the round.
 Boards provided.
 PLAYERS MUST BRING THEIR OWN SETS AND CLOCKS.

Scholastic Event

New Jersey Open Scholastic

Saturday, September 5, 2026 • Delta Hotel Woodbridge • Free parking

Scholastic Preregistration


Open Scholastic Preregistration List

Format & Sections

5-SS, G/30 d5. Three sections: Under 1200, Under 900, and Under 600.

Awards

Trophies awarded to the top ten finishers in each section. Every player receives at least a medal.

Registration

 $50 through August 29
 $55 through 9:00 pm on September 4
 Advance registration only
 Maximum: 91 players

Round Times

9:00 am, 10:45 am, 1:00 pm, 2:45 pm, and 4:30 pm.

Awards ceremony immediately following the final round.

Scholastic Notes

Byes

One half-point bye is available if requested before the start of the tournament.

Ratings

The September 2026 Rating Supplement will be used.

Equipment

Boards will be provided. Players must bring their own sets and clocks.

Refunds

Registration will close early if the tournament fills. A $5 processing fee applies to all cancellations. No refunds after 12:01 am on September 5.