Saturday, October 17, 2026 · Franklin County Extension Office, 101 Lakeview Ct., Frankfort, KY 40601 (map)
Tournament posting, registration and live standings
Pairings
Pairings and standings are posted on the tournament's Chess67 page (under "Live Standings").
Questions?
On site, ask a tournament director. Before the tournament, e-mail Dianna Gabbard, KY Women and Girls Coordinator, at [email protected] with "KY Women & Girls Open" in the subject line.
Schedule
- Registration: Free, but you must register online on the Chess67 page by 9:30 AM. There is no check-in – just show up and play!
- Round 1: 10:00 AM.
- Round 2: ASAP, followed by the lunch break.
- Round 3: 1:30 PM.
- Rounds 4–5: ASAP.
- Awards: ASAP after Round 5 (expected around 5 PM).
Layout
Past the lobby of the Extension Office is a long hallway.
- Skittles room (for parents and players between rounds): the big room on the right. Go here when you arrive.
- Tournament hall: at the opposite end of the hallway. Only players may enter the tournament hall; parents may come in only to get K-1 players seated.
- Restrooms: in the middle of the hallway.
Sections
- Open: For experienced players; requires US Chess membership (join US Chess).
- Beginner: For unrated players or players rated 800 or below; no US Chess membership needed. Recommended for new players.
5 rounds, Swiss system, G/25 d5 (25 minutes per player, plus a 5-second delay per move).
Prizes
Prize fund $510, based on 50 players (prizes may be reduced proportionally if fewer than 50 play).
- Open: 1st $150, 2nd $100, Top U1201 $53, Top U1001 $51.
- Beginner: 1st $50, 2nd $35, Top U601 $26, Top U401 $20.
- Top Mother–Daughter pair: $25 Target gift card.
Kentucky-resident K-12 girls with 4 or more points in the Open section qualify for the Kentucky Girls Championship in the spring. The top two Kentucky-resident finishers in the Open section qualify for the 2027 Kentucky Women's Closed Championship.
Tournament Rules & Logistics
- Equipment: Boards, pieces and clocks provided.
- Notation: Required in the Open section, not in the Beginner section. Electronic scoresheets are not permitted.
- Rule variations: 15A (you may write your move before making it) and 10I2 (you may touch the rook first when castling).
Amenities & Safety
- Supervision: Players younger than high school age (about 14) must be accompanied by an adult on site for the entire tournament.
- Lunch: A refrigerator and microwave are available on site, and there are places to eat within a 10-minute drive. We will coordinate a low-cost pizza order for interested participants.
- Pizza order: Pizza Order for W&G
For more information on chess tournaments, see A Parent’s Guide to Scholastic Chess in Kentucky.