2026 Michigan Master/Expert & Class Championships

Name: 2026 Michigan Master/Expert & Class Championships
Start: 2026-01-17T08:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-01-18T19:00:00-05:00
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Lansing (Lansing, MI)

Schedule

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026 at 08:00 am to Sun, 18 Jan, 2026 at 07:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

DoubleTree by Hilton Lansing (Lansing, MI) | Lansing, MI

Doubletree by Hilton Lansing
111 N Grand Ave
Lansing, MI, 48933

Directions:
Near the State Capitol in Downtown Lansing
From East: I-496 to Grand Ave (Exit 7A), Right on Grand Ave
From West: I-496 to Pine/Walnut Streets (Exit 6), Left on Grand Ave
Hotel Rate: $122 + tax by December 17, 2025.
Call 833-904-2206 & identify as part of MI Chess Association w/ Code 920 for discounted rate
Let us know if you are staying at the hotel for the tournament.
Online Reservation Link: https:/www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=LANDTDT&groupCode=CDT920&arrivaldate=2026-01-16&departuredate=2026-01-19&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT__;!!FOfmI8qiWcWBHqypJtzENF0!0XnhG_KkviYU1D55mzWF9HKZKgpI6xCOeaptpnUo1CB2DW3oAkUWZ8KyL98TkPlOqldTHUnPz4IVNQ7tpWMxsYSacg$
Format:
NOTE
Players are not allowed to have cell phones (or smart watches) on their person during their games.
8 SECTIONS:
Master/Expert (2000+, FIDE Rated), A (1800-1999), B (1600-1799), C (1400-1599), D (1200-1399), E (U1200)
Novice U1000 or U600 (Sat only): Unrated can play in either section
Better unrated players should join the U1000 section
True beginners that are unrated should join the U600 section
One Half-Point Bye, Rounds 1-4. Must request by start of Round 3.
MEMBERSHIPS
Must be a member of the US Chess Federation & Michigan Chess Association. (Members of other state associations OK)
CLASS ELIGIBILITY
The most recent USCF rating supplement will be used for determining ratings. Players must play in the class in which their rating indicates. Unrated players must play in the Novice section. Players may request to play up in class (or unrated players may request being seeded into a class) if their recent tournament history shows achievement into that class. The tournament director must approve all requests and will assign a rating to the player within the rating window of that class.
Time Control:
M/X, Class Sections: G/90+30 (scorekeeping required for entire game)
Players must arrive within 60 minutes after the start of the round or be forfeited and withdrawn from event.
Novice Sections: G/30;d5
Rounds:
M/X, Class Sections: Sat 10am, 2:30pm, 7 pm; Sun 10am, 2:30pm
Novice Sections: 10am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3pm, 4:30pm
Entry Fee:
M/X: $62 (U18 $5 off), Free entry to GM, IM, FM, & 2200+, adv entry fee deducted from prize.
A, B, C, D, E: $52 (U18 $5 off)
Novice Sections: $30
Advance entries must be paid by January 15. For entry fees paid after January 15, add $15 more.
Registration:
ADVANCE REGISTRATION
M/X Class Online: https://onlineregistration.cc/MCA/2026_MCA_Class
Novice Online: https://onlineregistration.cc/MCA/2026_MCA_Novice
Note: Novice sections are listed separately on the online registration website.
Mail: Jeff Aldrich
P.O. Box 40, Flint, MI 48501
Make Checks Payable to MCA.
ON-SITE REGISTRATION
Saturday (1/17): 8:00-9:00am
Prizes:
$4200 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND
Master/Expert (GPP 20): 1st $750, 2nd $350; Expert: $350 U2100: $200
Class A, B, C, D, E: 1st $230, 2nd $155; U1900/U1700/U1500/U1300/U1100: $125
Novice U1000: Top 5 Overall, Top U900, Top U800, Top U700, Top Unrated
Novice U600: Top 5 Overall, Top U500, Top U400, Top U300, Top Unrated.
State Champions (Top Michigan Resident): Master/Expert, Expert, and Each Class plus Novice.
Trophies for all place-winners listed above.
Contact:
Jeff Aldrich
810-955-7271
[email protected]
https://www.michess.org/