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Home2027 Indiana Chess Congress

Heritage Event · Grand Prix · State Championship Event

2027 Indiana Chess Congress

& 86th Indiana State Championship

Mar 12–14 2027
$15,000 Prize fund (b/o 150 paid entries)
5 Sections, 5-SS
2- and 3-day optionsLa Quinta Inn & Suites Indianapolis SouthSpecial Auxiliary Events
Special auxiliary events for beginners and for those who cannot play a multi-day schedule! See the Special Events section below.

Registration

Onsite registration for main sections before Friday @ 6:30 PM (3-day) & Saturday @ 9:30 AM (2-day) to ensure a first round pairing.

The pre-registration list is updated periodically and includes all registrations up to the stated time and date.

See below for registration for special events.

Entry Fees

Standard
$155
February 2 to March 10

$15 discount off this entry fee for ISCA members. ISCA membership costs $15, so it is always worth joining.

Late
$170
On or after March 11

For all registrants. $140 for Patron ISCA members.

Re-Entry Fee: $50 before Saturday @ 9:30 AM. Cancellation of registration before event subject to $10 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 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 & Time Controls

All championship sections are 5-round Swisses.

3-Day Schedule
All rounds G/90 inc/30
Friday 7:00 PM
Saturday 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM & 3:45 PM
2-Day Schedule
Rounds 1–2 G/60 inc/30
Saturday 10:00 AM & 1:30 PM
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

1900+ 86th Annual Indiana State Chess Championship
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 age 60+ | $125 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.

U2100 Indiana State Major Open Championship

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
U1801 Indiana State Reserve Championship

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.

U1500 Indiana State Chess Booster Championship

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.

U1200 Indiana State Chess Novice Championship
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

Special Events

Sat–Sun Future Champions (U1000)
U10005SS, G/60 inc/102-day event

Saturday & Sunday, March 13–14. Held concurrently with the Indiana Chess Congress @ La Quinta Inn & Suites Indianapolis South, 5120 Victory Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46203. 5SS, G/60 inc/10. Rounds: Saturday 10:00, 1:30, 4:00, Sunday 9:00, 11:45. Entry fee: $60 by March 10, $80 afterward ($15 scholastic discount, and/or $5 discount to ISCA members). Medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Monetary prizes based on entries after registration has closed. ISCA swag for participants. Bring board, set, and clock. Registration link appears here on February 1.

Saturday Saturday Cyclone (1200+)
Saturday Rated Beginner Open (U1200 or unrated)
Cyclone: 1200+RBO: U1200 or unrated5SS, G/30+10

Saturday, March 13. Held concurrently with the Indiana Chess Congress @ La Quinta Inn & Suites Indianapolis South, 5120 Victory Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46203. Saturday Cyclone is open to players ever rated 1200+ or who have earned a USCF 4th Category norm. Rated Beginner Open is open to players under 1200 or unrated. 5-round Swiss, G/30+10. Rounds: 10:30, 12:30, 2:00, 3:30, 5:00. Entry fee: $50 by March 10, $70 afterward ($5 discount to ISCA members). Medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Monetary prizes based on entries after registration has closed. ISCA swag for participants. Bring board, set, and clock. Registration link appears here on February 1.

Sunday Sunday Quads
4-player quadsG/25 d53 rounds

Sunday, March 14. Held concurrently with the Indiana Chess Congress @ La Quinta Inn & Suites Indianapolis South, 5120 Victory Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46203. Players will be divided by rating into 4-player quads. G/25 d5. Three rounds: Rd 1 at 10:30, then subsequent rounds ASAP. Entry fee: $40 by March 10, $60 afterward ($5 discount to ISCA members). Prizes based on entries after registration has closed. ISCA swag and invitation to ISCA reception @ 2:00 PM Sunday for participants. Bring board, set, and clock. Registration link appears here on February 1.

Location / Hotel

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Indianapolis South
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Indianapolis South

5120 Victory Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46203
+1 (317) 783-7751

Event room rates available (Group Code ISCA27):
$129/night plus tax (must reserve by February 26 to guarantee special rate)

All guest rooms recently renovated! Players staying at host hotel eligible for special raffle prizes! [TBA]

PLEASE consider staying at the host hotel. Getting more room nights will help the tournament’s financial position for expenses and prizes.

General Information

  • All prizes paid electronically via PayPal.
  • Bring board, set, and clock. Equipment is not provided.
  • 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 15 minute delay as part of fair play measures.
Chief Tournament Director
Daro Mott

daromott@gmail.com

Chief Assistant Tournament Director
TBD
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 and ISCA Member Reception

The ISCA Member Reception will start at 2:00 PM, immediately before the meeting. Annual ISCA Meeting: Sunday, March 14, 2027 at 2:10 PM, after round 4 concludes. Meeting restricted to current ISCA Members (join at indianachess.org).

Sections: 5 Grand Prix Points: 30 Prize Fund: $15,000 FIDE Rated: No Handicap Accessible: Yes Residency Restriction: No Online Event: No