Chess in the Park Rapid Open at
Naumburg Bandshell Central Park
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Registration for this FREE event will open on August 3rd
This is the 25th Anniversary of the Chess in the Park Rapid Open. Chess in the Schools has partnered with the NYC Parks Department since 2001. The event was the idea of Ed Feldman from NYC Parks. 
This year we are also very lucky to have Duolingo as our Grandmaster Sponsor! 
More details will be posted in August.
6/SS, G/10, Unrated Event (Not USCF rated)
Naumburg Bandshell Central Park
Enter at 72nd Street
FREE EVENT
COMPETITION SECTIONS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
All sections are playing "Clock Move" and not Touch Move. All moves are complete once a player hits their clock. Also, illegal moves result in the loss of one minute, and an illegal move with less than a minute on the clock, results in a loss. Games without a clock will be marked as a draw. Clocks are not provided. Please bring your own clock, or use your phone in airplane mode with a chess clock app.
Youth Unrated: Open to unrated players under age 12
Adult/Teen Unrated: Open to unrated players ages 13 and up
Novice: Open to players rated under 900
Reserve: Open to players rated 900-1299
Intermediate: Open to players rated 1300 to 1699
Open Championship: Open to players rated 1700 and above
THE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Check-in: 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks: 10:45 a.m.
Rounds: 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
Awards Ceremony: 4:30 p.m.
Public Bathrooms located on middle staircase towards the Bethesda Fountain..
Are CIS tournaments public events?
Yes, CIS tournaments are public events. By registering to the tournaments, participants (and their caregivers, if applicable) grant full permission to Chess in the Schools to use photographs, video- and/or audio-recordings of them, and/or their children, taken during CIS events in publications, news releases, online, and in other communications related to the mission of Chess in the Schools. No registrants and/or participants are entitled to compensation for their appearance in such materials. All registrants and participants release and discharge CIS from all liability, losses, and damages for libel, slander, invasion of privacy or any other claim arising out of or relating to the use of videotapes, recordings and/or photographs.