The Chicago Open is a sanctioned tournament on the American Backgammon Tour (ABT). Players can earn points and compete for the ABT Player of the Year. The format for the Chicago Open ABT Championship, Intermediate & Novice Divisions is MoreSwiss Quadruple Elimination.

The Chicago Open Backgammon Tournament has an $80 Registration & Hospitality Fee which includes unlimited coffee, hot tea, iced tea, lemonade, and an assortment of snacks for the duration of the 6-day tournament! Each morning, along with the hotel breakfast buffet, there will be a Chicago Open staple; bagels, cream cheese, and smoked salmon! Novices pay just $30!

The $10 ABT Tournament Fee is included in the ABT Main Event entry fees for the Open, Intermediate, & Novice Divisions and goes directly to the USBGF. This fee helps the USBGF manage and support the American Backgammon Tour. Your membership must be current to play in the ABT main event. Sign up or renew your membership at usbgf.org.

Players Cup (BMAB)
In 2022, the Chicago Open hosted a BMAB event for the first time and set a World Record with 32 participants. In 2024 we broke the record again with 44. We hope to smash that record in 2025. Dmitriy Obukhov and Roberto Litzenberger will direct this “Players Cup (BMAB)” event. Should you have any questions please email Dmitriy directly at DmitriyObukhov@gmail.com. click here...

Format 
• 5-rounds of 9-point matches
• 3 rounds of random pairings followed by 2 rounds of Swiss pairings
• This is a “Clocks Required” event. (2 min / 12 sec)
• All matches will be recorded and transcribed to electronic match files then analyzed by the current version of eXtremeGammon using BMAB settings.

Fees
• Entry Fee is $125 (100% return)
• Side Pool A $50 and B $100 (100% return)
• PR Side Pool C $50 and D $100 (100% return)
* To enter side pool B, side pool A must also be entered. Similarly, to enter PR side pool D, PR side pool C must also be entered.
• Registration/Transcription Fee $75 Format

2025 Women's National Championship
The Chicago Open is honored to host in this event for the 2nd consecutive year. Chicago's own Wendy Kaplan will be back to defend her 2024 title. 

*The Winner will receive a lavender Women's World of Backgammon ArtGammon Board or $500 in bonus cash!

Format 
• Single Elimination w/ Re-buys and Consolation
• Players will be allowed a maximum of 1 re-buy after they have lost
• 9-point Matches in the Main Bracket and 5-points in the Consolation
• This is a “Clocks Required” event. (2 min / 12 sec)

Fees
• Entry Fee: $100 (90% return)
• Side Pool: $50

Jackpots and Doubles (Important, please read!)

Thank you for planning to attend the 43rd Chicago Open Backgammon Tournament. There are many exciting events planned for this year’s tournament. The schedule and registration form were designed to allow players the ability to enter as many events as possible. You may only select one event from each time block. NOTE: Should you lose in any Jackpot event, you may choose to re-enter into another start time onsite. Side Pools are listed below and carry over if you re-enter. Events not listed on this entry form do not have pre-registration. Please enter these events onsite.

Your Contact Information

Payment
There are multiple payment options. You may choose whichever you prefer. Players are responsible for any fees and should add them to their payment to ensure the Tournament receives the full amount of the entry fees per their registration. 

*Paypal payments should be sent as friends and family or trusted payments.
Select "Sending to a Friend". Do not check the box for "Paying for an item or service". Failure to follow this instruction will result in a 20% fee.

*International Players should not send online payments - Please select cash on-site.