• 2026 Chicago Open Registration Form

  • 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 a $90 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, smoked salmon, and sliced vegetables! Novices pay just $40!

    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.

  • For the Main Tournament I will play in the...*
  • The USBGF requires an up-to-date membership to play in the Open, Intermediate, & Novice Divisions of the ABT event above. Are you a member?*
  • Chicago Open ABT Open/Championship Division
  • Chicago Open ABT Intermediate Division

  • 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 & 2025 we broke the record twice more with 44 & 50 players respectively. The Miami Open now holds the record at 54. We hope to smash that record again in 2026. Roberto Litzenberger will direct this “Players Cup (BMAB)” event. Should you have any questions please email Roberto directly at cafecafe_88@yahoo.com.

    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 $150 (100% return)
    • Side Pool A $50 and B $100 (100% return)
    • PR Side Pools grouped based on BMAB rating, $100 (100% return)
         GM or better (under 4.0 PR)
         M1-M3 (4.0-6.5 PR)
         A1-A3 (6.5-10.0 PR)
         I1-I3 (10.0-16.0 PR)
    • Registration/Transcription Fee $100

  • I would like to pre-register for the Players Cup (BMAB) starts Wednesday May 20th at 5:00 PM
  • Win/Loss Side Pools
  • PR Side Pools - Please select the Optional PR Side Pool according to your BMAB Rating. Those without a BMAB rating are only eligible to select the "GM or better (under 4.0 PR)" Side Pool.

  • 2026 Women's National Championship
    The Chicago Open is honored to host this event for the 3rd consecutive year. Chicago's own Wendy Kaplan won the innaugural event in 2024 and Samra Hadden took home the title in 2025. Will you be next?

    *The Winner will receive a Women's World of Backgammon Logo Jacket and $500 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

  • The 2026 Women's National Championship starts Thursday May 21st at 3:00 PM

  • Jackpots and Doubles (Important, please read!)

    Thank you for planning to attend the 44th 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.

  • Thursday May 21st, 12:00 PM / 12:15 PM

    Play is continuous for 2 rounds (3 rounds for those in the Markowitz Masters Qualifier).
  • Time Block #1 (Pick One)

  • Thursday May 21st, 3:00 PM / 3:15 PM

    Play is continuous for 2 rounds.
  • Time Block #2 (Pick One)

  • Thursday May 21st, 7:00 PM / 7:15 PM

    Play is continuous for 2 rounds.
  • Time Block #3 (Pick One)

  • Friday May 22nd, 11:00 AM / 11:15 AM

    Play is continuous for 2 rounds. **This is the only starting time for Doubles**
  • Time Block #4 (Pick One)

  • Side Pools

    You may select the side pool for each Jackpot event you entered above
  • Side Pools

  • Other Side Events

    These events allow for continuous entries until the brackets are filled. Please only preregister if you will be present for the initial draw.
  • After Tournament, Monday May 25th, 3:00 PM

  • Your Contact Information

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  •  - -

  • 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 "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.

  • Payment
    There were multiple online payment options available through Monday May 11th. Unfortunately, we have passed the cutoff date those forms of payment. Please select cash-on-site. 

     

  • How will you be sending your Payment?*
  • Registration & Hospitality Fee*
  • Should be Empty: