Chess at Kaleidoscope Discovery Center Quick Links
Missouri Open 2026
Kaleidoscope Discovery Center: 609 N. Rolla St., Rolla, MO 65401 
September 12–13, 2026
Event Overview
Format: 5-round Swiss, G/90 + d/15 · Three Sections
Open
Overall Prizes: $500 1st · $300 2nd · $200 3rd
Class Prizes: $200 1st in X, A & B
Top Missouri resident earns 2026 State Champion title & plaque
Reserve (Under 1600)
Overall Prizes: $300 1st · $250 2nd · $200 3rd
Class Prizes: $150 1st in C, D & U1200
Top Missouri resident earns Reserve Champion title & plaque
Novice (Under 1000/Unrated)
Saturday only · 4-round Swiss · G/45 + d/5
Prizes: $100 1st · $75 2nd · $50 3rd
Schedule
- Registration: Saturday, 8:30–9:30 AM
- Open & Reserve: Sat. 10:00 AM, 2:30 PM, 7:00 PM · Sun. 9:30 AM, 2:00 PM
- Novice: Sat. 10:00 AM, 12:15 PM, 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM
- Open & Reserve: $50 by 6 PM 9/10 · $60 onsite · Free for IM/GMs
- Novice: $20 by 6 PM 9/10 · $25 onsite
Missouri Novice Open 2026
Kaleidoscope Discovery Center: 609 N. Rolla St., Rolla, MO 65401 September 12, 2026
Event Overview
Format: 4-round Swiss · G/45 + d/5 · New-player friendly
Eligibility: Players rated Under 1000 or Unrated
Schedule
- Registration: Saturday, 8:30–9:30 AM
- Rounds: 10:00 AM, 12:15 PM, 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM
Each player gets 45 minutes with a 5-second time delay. Players compete in all four rounds; no eliminations.
Entry Fee
- $20 pre-registered by 6 PM 9/10 · $25 onsite
- 1 half-point bye permitted if requested at registration
Payment: 💸www.paypal.me/mochess — include name and USCF ID in the notes. Cash and credit cards accepted onsite.
Registration & Membership
USCF and Missouri Chess membership required; memberships may be purchased ahead of time or onsite during registration.
Prizes
Based on 20 entries: 1st — Novice Champion Trophy + $100 · 2nd — $75 · 3rd — $50
Questions/Entries: Bob Howe · 210 N. Olive St., Pacific, MO 63069 · 📨bdhowe@yahoo.com · 🗨️(636) 234-7928 (text preferred)
Out-of-state players are welcome and eligible for cash prizes. FIDE Rated: No · Handicap Accessible: Yes · Residency Restriction: No · Online Event: No
Organizer: Bob Howe · 📨bdhowe@yahoo.com · 🗨️(636) 234-7928 · 🌐mochess.org
Visiting Rolla
Coming from out of town?
We know players and families are coming from all over for our two chess tournaments! We’ve arranged group room blocks at two local hotels and gathered some nearby dining recommendations to help make your weekend in Rolla a little easier.
Places to Stay
- Baymont by Wyndham: Book with the chess group rate
- Days Inn by Wyndham: Book with the chess group rate
Places to Eat
- Public House Brewing Company — Saturday 11 AM–10 PM · Sunday closed · Website
- CoffeeSmiths — Saturday 8 AM–2 PM · Sunday closed · Website
- Salt and Water — Saturday 5–9 PM · Sunday closed · Website
- Prince Solomon’s Royal Indian Restaurant — Saturday 12–9 PM · Website
- Hoppers Pub — Saturday 11 AM–11:30 PM · Sunday 11 AM–5 PM · Website
- Alex’s Pizza Palace — Saturday 11 AM–10 PM · Sunday 11 AM–9 PM · Website
- Crepe Escape — Inside Public House Brewing Company; hours unavailable
- Soda and Scoops — Saturday 12–10 PM · Sunday 12–9 PM · Website
- Papa John’s Pizza — Saturday & Sunday 10 AM–10:30 PM · Website
Scholastic Chess Mondays
Join the Kaleidoscope Discovery Center for Scholastic Chess. Learn the game and strategy, and build confidence in a supportive environment.
Competitive Chess
We are fortunate to have Mr. Tim Campbell as our chess coach! Mr. Tim is an experienced coach and teacher, who welcomes novice players. Mr. Tim coaches competitive chess in one-hour sessions from 4:00 – 8:00 pm. A fee is involved for competitive chess.
Enrichment Club Chess
Through our afterschool program, instructors work with students to learn and play recreational chess between 3:30 – 5:30 pm on Mondays. Mr. Tim Campbell joins as a guest instructor and mentor. Registration is available through our Enrichment Clubs page.
Please reach out to chess@thekaleidoscope.org
with questions and for information about fees and registration.
“There’s so much unknown in chess. It’s been around for hundreds of years, and there are still a lot of areas of chess strategies and dynamics that haven’t been explored. No game is ever the same, so there’s always the opportunity to learn something.”
-Tim Campbell
