🌲✨ Northern Open 🏁
New Venue • Novice Scholastic Section • Grand Prix Finale!
🗓️ Oct 3-4, 2026
$5,500 Projected Prizes!💰️
Renaissance Bloomington Hotel ⚜️
5500 American Blvd West
Bloomington, MN 55437 (map)
(Based on 125 players)
👑 Grand finale of the MSCA Grand Prix!
New Hotel Venue! 🏨🪵 Join us at the Renaissance Bloomington Hotel for the Northern Open 2026 hosted in the Northern Lights Ballroom 💫
Discounted chess room rates available until 9/11!
🆕 New in 2026: Saturday-only
Unrated Novice Scholastic Section
Open to K-12 players U1000/Unrated
-
Time Control: G/25 +5s
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4 rounds (relaxed one-day schedule)
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Prizes: Trophies for 1st–5th + class
🎫 🎫 Two memberships are required to play in this event, MSCA & US Chess:
Note: The Novice Scholastic Section does not require these memberships.
🔎 Check your MSCA status and Join 🙌 (supports Minnesota chess operations)
🎟️ Join US Chess (aka USCF, required for ratings; see note below...)
Details 📌
5 Round Swiss
Sections
⌛️ Time Control
US Chess rated
🟠 Premier 🔵 U1800 🟣 U1400 🟢 U1000
G/60 +30s
Byes
max two ½ pt byes, any rounds, declared before round 3
Rounds ⚪️
Saturday 10am • 2pm • 6pm 🕙
Sunday 10am • 2pm 🕙️
⏱️ Forfeit time is 30 minutes after round start time
Novice Scholastic
4 Round Swiss
Unrated
🕰️♟️ Chess sets & clocks provided
Sections
⌛️ Time Control
🟡 U1000/Unrated
G/25 +5s
Byes
Rounds
max one ½ pt bye, any round, declared before round 2
Saturday 9:30am • 11am • 1:30pm • 3:00pm 🕤
Lunch After Round 2 🕧
Awards 4:30pm 🕟
Entry Fees 🎫
by ➡️
🟠 Premier
🔵 U1800
🟣 U1400
🟢 U1000
🟡 Novice Scholastic
☀️
9/4
$80
$70
$70
$60
$30
🌤️
9/18
$90
$80
$80
$70
$35
🌥️
10/2
$100
$90
$90
$80
$40
⏰
Onsite
$110
$100
$100
$90
$45
New this year! 3% of main tournament entry fees will support the MSCA Youth Scholarship Fund. Funds will be used to help cover entry fees, memberships, and tournament costs for players in need.
Projected Prizes 💵
🟠 Premier
1st $825 2nd $425 3rd $250
based on 35 players
Top U2100 $100 U1900 $100
🔵 U1800
1st $625 2nd $375 3rd $225
based on 35 players
Top U1700 $150 U1500 $150
🟣 U1400
1st $575 2nd $325 3rd $175
based on 30 players
Top U1200 $125 U1000 $125
🟢 U1000
1st $425 2nd $225
based on 25 players
Top U800 $100 U600 $100 UNR $100
🟡 Novice
Trophies 1st-5th + Class
Total projected: $5,500 based on 125 players.
Unrated players can only win the unrated prize in the 🟢 U1000 section or 1st/2nd/3rd place overall in the 🟠 Premier section.
📧 Send email to msca.board@gmail.com with any questions.
Additional Details
🏞️ The MSCA strives to have all of our facilities and events available to as many community members as possible. We will attempt to accommodate access requests to the best of our abilities. Please let us know how we can help improve your chess experience!
⚖️ The MSCA Electronic Device and Fair Play Policy will be enforced for players and spectators at this tournament.
🏁 This tournament is part of the MSCA’s Summer Grand Prix Series. The winners of this multi-event points race will claim $2,500 in guaranteed prize money and 4 State Championship Playoff Qualification spots! 🏆️
🧮 Please see the MSCA Unrated Policy to learn how rating may be determined from US Chess live/online or FIDE ratings.
🚨 Published unrated players who possess FIDE ratings MUST disclose their FIDE rating. See the MSCA Unrated Policy.
🛡️ The MSCA recognizes the importance of a safe and hospitable environment at our chess events. To promote this type of environment, the MSCA has developed a Policy on Safe Play & Conduct. The MSCA also follows US Chess guidelines for training TDs with materials developed by the US Center for SafeSport. To support a safe and hospitable environment, the MSCA reminds all chess participants and attendees that they are responsible for their actions, and that parents/guardians of minors are responsible at all times for the welfare and safety of their children/dependents.
🎟️ You can pay for a new US Chess membership or renewal during registration, or sign up directly with US Chess today. There are options for new members (get a new USCF ID and pay) and for existing members (already have an ID) to create a website login. If you already have a login/ID, you can use it to pay for a renewal. There may be a delay of days for registration membership payments to be applied.
🔎 Don't forget your Minnesota Chess membership! Check MSCA status and join. 🙌