3rd annual Universal Open Info + Registration
June 19th-21th - $25,000 - Dallas / Fort Worth
The event is open to the first 250 players registered! Be sure to register to reserve your spot, we do anticipate this event selling out.
Click HERE to register
The tournament is 7 Rounds, G/90+30, Swiss non-elimination.
3 sections, Championship, Under 2000, and Under 1400.
Every section is USCF Rated. The Championship sections is also FIDE Rated. June USCF Ratings will be used, and USCF Rules for prizes.
Location: DOUBLE TREE BY HILTON DFW AIRPORT NORTH
Entry list is available HERE
Schedule:
3 day schedule round times: 6/19: 12:00pm, 5:30pm 6/20: 9:00am, 2:00pm, 7:00 6/21: 10:00am, 3:00pm.
Prizes: $25,000
70% guaranteed in the main event & blitz, 30% added at 200 fully paid entries.
Championship: $3000-1600-1000-700-500 top USCF Under 2200: $750
Under 2000: $3000-1500-1000-700-500 USCF Under 1800: $1000 USCF Under 1600: $600-400
U1400: $3000-1400-1000-800-500 Under 1100: 350$
Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes: Best male+female 2-player team combined score in Rounds 1-7 among all sections: $600-350. Must average under 2200; may play in different sections; register (no extra fee) before both players begin round 2; unrated prize limits do not apply to Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes.
Registration:
There is a play up fee of $80 if a player enters in a section above their rating class.
Normal Tournament Registration: $165 to play in any section. After May 14th entry will increase to $195, after June 2nd entry will increase to $215. After June 10th entry will increase to $235 and will be the same for on-site registration.
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 for a discounted price together. To view these options click HERE.
Hotel:
The hotel is booking link is HERE
Side Events:
Annual Luis Salinas Blitz: Blitz event will be held Friday 10:00pm Prizes: $300-200-100 Under 1800: $150.
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 250 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.
All prizes in all sections for the event are paid via zelle.
Prize limits for special cases:
Unrated players can win 50% of a prize in the U1400, 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, CCA minimum ratings may be used for prize eligibility, 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. Players will be placed into sections based on their June Published rating and will not be moved into a higher rating section until we are emailed and the playup has been paid.
Players that have been rated more than 50 points above the section maximum since June 2025 may only win $800. Balance of any limited prize goes to the next eligible player(s) in line.