2026 Chicago Open

Wednesday May 20, 2026
5:00 PM Registration Opens for Players Cup (BMAB)
6:00 PM Players Cup (BMAB) Begins (3 Rounds to be Played Wednesday Night)

Thursday May 21, 2026
11:00 am Players Cup (BMAB) Continues (Final 2 Rounds)
11:00 am Registration Opens for All Events
12:00 pm Markowitz Masters Qualifier
12:00 pm Faster Master Start Time #1
12:15 pm Limited Jackpot Start Time #1
12:15 pm Intermediate Jackpot Start Time #1
1:00 pm 1-Point Quickie Begins
1:00 pm 5-Point Blitzes Begin
1:30 pm Juniors vs Seniors Begins
1:30 pm SpeedGammon Begins
3:00 pm 2025 Women’s National Championship begins
3:00 pm Markowitz Masters Start Time #1
3:00 pm Faster Master Start Time #2
3:15 pm Limited Jackpot Start Time #2
3:15 pm Intermediate Jackpot Start Time #2
7:00 pm Markowitz Masters Start Time #2
7:00 pm Faster Master Start Time #3
7:15 pm Limited Jackpot Start Time #3
7:15 pm Intermediate Jackpot Start Time #3
8:30 pm Zavoral Board Tournament Begins
10:30 pm No More Matches Begin

Friday May 22, 2026
10:00 am Registration Continues
11:00 am Doubles Tournament Begins (first 3 rounds will be played)
11:00 am Markowitz Masters Start Time #3
11:15 am Limited Jackpot Start Time #4
11:15 am Intermediate Jackpot Start Time #4
5:00 pm Dinner Break
8:00 pm Round 3 of All Jackpots Begin
8:00 pm All Side Events Continue
11:30 pm No More Matches Begin
11:30 pm Registration Closes for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions – ALL FEES DUE

Saturday May 23, 2026
9:30 am Welcome Announcements & Calcutta Auction
CHICAGO OPEN ABT MAIN TOURNAMENT BEGINS
11:00 am Round 1 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions
12:00 pm Novice Division Begins
1:15 pm Round 2 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions
3:30 pm Round 3 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions
5:30 pm Dinner Break – Optional Banquet
7:30 pm Round 4 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions
9:30 pm Round 5 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions
9:30 pm All Side Events Continue
11:30 pm No More Matches Begin

Sunday May 24, 2026
10:00 am Round 6 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions
10:00 am All Side Events Continue
10:30 am The “Unlucky Dice” Last Chance Begins
12:00 pm Play Continues Novice Division
12:00 pm Round 7 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions
2:00 pm Round 8 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions
4:00 pm Round 9 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions
6:00 pm Dinner Break
8:00 pm Lecture by Giant #3 Michihito “Michy” Kageyama “Gravity in Backgammon”
9:00 pm Round 10 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions
9:00 pm All Side Events Continue
11:30 pm No More Matches Begin

Monday May 25, 2026
10:00 am All Side Events Continue
10:00 am Round 11 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions
12:00 pm Round 12 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions (if necessary)
2:00 pm Markowitz Masters Final Begins
3:00 pm After Tourney Begins