2026's 80th Annual Peter P Lahde TN Open and State Chess Championship

Summary:

Memphis Chess Club will be hosting 2026's 80th Annual Peter P Lahde TN Open and State Chess Championship during Labor Day wedekend. It will be held in the 15th floor of the downtown Holiday Inn with a panorama view of the skyline.  It's open to respectful spectators, and open to play for all eligible USCF members of other states and USCF members of Tennessee who are also members of the Tennessee Chess Association.  There are over $10,000 in prizes, in help from sponsors Promarketing Group and Downtown Memphis Commission.

Details:

TN Chess Association, Memphis Chess Club, Promarketing Group, and Downtown Memphis Commission present
2026 Peter P. Lahde Tennessee Open & State Championship
$10,001 in prizes, 100% UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED
September 4-7, 2026 80 Grand Prix Points Available!!! (**enhanced** from normally 60)
Biggest TN Open & State Championship Prize Ever
3rd time in Memphis in 5 years! 2022 and 2024: 80+ players including more than a dozen masters

Open Section

1st: Title + Plaque + $1,501, 2nd: $900, 3rd: $600
Expert(2000-2199); 1st: Title + Plaque + $600, 2nd: $550
Class A(1800-1999); 1st: Title + Plaque + $550, 2nd: $500
Class B and Below (<=1799); 1st: Title + Plaque + $500, 2nd: $450

Amateur Section U1601*

1st: Title + Plaque + $600, 2nd: $500, 3rd: $400
Class D(1200-1399); 1st: Title + Plaque + $400, 2nd: $300
Class E(1000-1199); 1st: Title + Plaque + $300, 2nd: $200
Class F and Below (<=999); 1st: Plaque + $200, 2nd: $160
Top Unrated: Plaque + $120
* Class C title and plaque also awarded to top Class C player already without Place and Class Plaque/Title and doesn't count toward number of prizes won.

Bonus Prizes**

Brilliancy: Prize + $140
Top Jr(<20): Plaque + $140
Top Sr (65+): Plaque +$140
Top Female: Plaque + $140
Upset: Plaque + $120

FOUR Schedule options

A & B: 6ss G90+30
C: 3ss G50d5, 3ss G90+30
D: 3ss G25d5, 3ss G90+30
Friday at Memphis Chess Club
Saturday and Sunday at Holiday Inn
Monday at Memphis Chess Club

Fri 9/4 (at Memphis Chess Club)

Schedule A: 6pm

Sat 9/5 (@Downtown Holiday Inn)

Schedule A: 1:30pm, 6pm
Schedule B: 1:30pm, 6pm
Schedule C: 7pm

Sun 9/6 (@Downtown Holiday Inn)

Schedule A: 1:30pm, 6pm
Schedule B: 8am, 1:30pm, 6pm
Schedule C: 8am, 10:15am, 1:30pm, 6pm
Schedule D: 9am, 10:15am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 6pm
(All Schedules Merged: 1:30pm, 6pm)

Mon 9/7 (@Memphis Chess Club)

All Schedules: 9am
~1pm Awards @MCC

Hard time deciding schedule you want?
2 games per day max? Sch A... or Sch B with a Sun 1/2-pt bye.
Only 1 hotel night? Sch D... or Sch B last rd 1/2-pt bye, or Sch C with 1st rd 1/2-pt bye.
All Long games but no Fri, or Mon? Sch A 1st or last rd 1/2-pt bye or Sch B last rd 1/2-pt bye.
Late start/arrival Sat, or you want shorter schedule but longer than g25d5? Sch C

$5 off for '26 Nashville Summer Classic players
Extra Early Entry Fee t-minus 2 month $80
Early entry fee t-minus 1 month $90
Onsite and Late Entry Fee $100
(1) re-entry max @$80 ok, only b4 rd2, SAME SECTION ONLY
(1) 1/2-pt bye declared b4 1st rd ok,
Reg. ends 1 hour before pairing, SHARP
MCC Members register in person for $5 discount
GMs&IMs first entry free, deduct EF on prize b/registration date(email [email protected])
All others register online at
www.memphischessclub.com/tournaments

Active USCF req'd; Titles & plaques TN-residents only.
TCA membership req'd for TN residents (only $10/yr). 1/2pt 1st rd byes to non TCA TN residents by end of reg.
Unrated players only eligible for reduced place(-30%) OR unrated prizes; Remainder redistributed per USCF.
Unrated players uneligible for Class Prizes.
Upset prize only available to non-provisional, rated players.
After 150 entries, space may become limited. (EF refunded)
$20 Early EF withdrawal service charge. MCC reserves the right to waive charge for emergencies and on waiting list.
**Jr, Sr, and Female Bonus Prize available between both sections, and based on performance rating on-site.

Brilliancy 1st 5 rds only, must be submitted by 9am Mon.
Sections with >67 players will feature accelerated pairings.
Hotel Info
Downtown Holiday Inn, 160 Union Ave Memphis, TN
King and 2-Queen rates, $99/night
www.tinyurl.com/2026TNhotel

Parking
Valet-only on-site $37 on site, or other options nearby.
Prospero Place Garage, next to Chess Club, $17/night
(most street parking free Sundays, tickets only ~$20-25)