REGISTRATION:
Register for Main Sections Here
Onsite registration for main sections before Friday @ 6:30 PM (3-day) & Saturday @ 9:30 AM (2-day) to ensure a first round pairing.
View Undetailed Pre-Registration List (Updated immediately)
View Detailed Pre-Registration List (Updated periodically)
ENTRY FEES:
On or before February 1: $100 Early Special. Open to ISCA members only. Anyone, including out-of-state players, may join ISCA before registering.
February 2 to March 11: $155. ($15 discount off this entry fee for ISCA members. ISCA membership costs $15, so it is always worth joining.)
On or after March 12: $170 for all registrants
Re-Entry Fee: $50 before Saturday @ 9:30 AM
Cancellation of registration before event subject to $5 fee withheld from refund.
$3 convenience fee if paying by credit card, not charged to ISCA members.
Save on all ISCA tournaments by becoming a member at https://www.indianachess.org
Titled players: Feel free to contact the ISCA president (president@indianachess.org) regarding possible conditions available. They are limited, so act soon.
SCHEDULES and TIME CONTROLS:
All championship sections are 5-round Swisses:
3-day schedule: Fri: 7:00 PM | Sat: 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM | Sun: 10:00 AM & 3:30 PM (all G/90 inc/30)
2-day schedule: Sat: 10:00 AM & 1:30 PM (G/60 inc/30), then merge with 3-day at 5:00 PM (G/90 inc/30)
Half-point byes allowed in rounds 1-4, limit 2, must be committed before round 2.
ISCA annual membership meeting Sunday @ 2:10 PM, after round 4 concludes
SECTIONS:
85th Annual Indiana State Chess Championship (1900+)*
Top Prizes
$1200 | $900 | $500 | $300
U2300 Prizes
$600 | $300
Top Indiana Resident Bonus:
$250 + Trophy | $175 | $125
Top Indiana Resident Seniors (must verify age before round 4)
$125 for age 60+ | $125 for age 50-59
Top Indiana K-12 Player (must verify grade before round 4)
$100
*Any IN resident may enter into this section; out-of-state players must be rated 1900 or above.
Indiana State Major Open Championship (U2100)
Players rated below 1800 in this section must either have had a peak non-provisional rating of 1800+ or have earned a USCF 1st Category norm and must give proof of eligibility in comments at registration.
Top Prizes
$800 | $500 | $300 | $200
U1900 Prizes
$400 | $200
Indiana State Reserve Championship (U1801)
Players rated below 1500 in this section must either have had a peak non-provisional rating of 1500+ or have earned a USCF 2nd Category norm and must give proof of eligibility in comments at registration.
Top Prizes*
$800 | $500 | $300 | $200
U1600 Prizes (no unrated)
$400 | $200
Top Indiana Resident Bonus:
$200 + Trophy | $100
*Unrated players limited to $300
Indiana State Chess Booster Championship (U1500)
Players rated below 1200 in this section must either have had a peak non-provisional rating of 1200+ or have earned a USCF 4th Category norm and must give proof of eligibility in comments at registration.
Top Prizes*
$800 | $500 | $300 | $200
U1300 Prizes (no unrated)
$300 | $200 | $150
*Unrated players limited to $300
Indiana State Chess Novice Championship (U1200)
Top Prizes (no unrated)
$700 | $400 | $300 | $200
U1000 Prizes (no unrated)
$300 | $200 | $150
Unrated Player Prizes (if at least 3 unrated players registered)
$200 | $100
LOCATION / HOTEL:
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Indianapolis South
5120 Victory Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46203
+1 (317) 783-7751
Event room rates available (Group Code ISCA26)
$114/night (must reserve by February 27 for special rate)
Reserve Hotel Room Here
Many guest rooms newly renovated since last Congress.
PLEASE consider staying at the host hotel. The room rates are less this year, and getting more room nights will help the tournament's financial position for expenses and prizes.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
All prizes paid electronically via PayPal.
Your prize will be sent to the email address you specified during registration. If this email is associated to a PayPal account, the prize will be deposited automatically. Otherwise, you will receive an email prompting you to receive the funds by logging into your existing PayPal account or creating a new one.
Bring board, set, and clock. Equipment is not provided.
Up to two half-point byes allowed in 5-round sections in rounds 1-4, one half-point bye allowed in other sections. No half-point byes allowed in final round.
Published March ratings will be used.
In the State Championship section, all players must turn in their original signed scoresheet in addition to reporting results.
In the State Championship section, players may be assigned to play on a broadcasted DGT board. They must play on that board if assigned to it. Games are broadcast on a time delay to deter cheating.
If you cannot play a full Congress Championship schedule, there will be other chess events held concurrently at the site. These events will have faster time controls, last only a single day, and have separate TLA announcements. Please check for their details on the USCF TLA site or at indianachess.org.
Chief Tournament Director:
Ronald Carrell (andersonchesstd@gmail.com)
Facebook Messenger @ Anderson Chess TD
Chief Assistant Tournament Director:
Daro Mott (daromott@gmail.com)
Registrar:
John Herr (johnherr13@hotmail.com)
Provide player USCF ID with all correspondence.
Organizer:
Indiana State Chess Association (indianachess.org)
ISCA President: FM Lester VanMeter (president@indianachess.org)
Annual ISCA Meeting
Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 2:10 PM, after round 4 concludes
Meeting restricted to ISCA Members (join at indianachess.org)