71st Annual Maryland Open brings a long-running Heritage Event and Grand Prix tournament to Rockville, Maryland, USA, from May 8 to May 10, 2026. The event takes place at the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel & Executive Meeting Ctr, a tournament hotel on Rockville Pike.

The tournament uses a 5-round Swiss format and offers seven sections. In addition, players can choose 3-day or 2-day schedules in several sections, while the U1000 section runs only on the 2-day schedule.

The event offers USD 14,225 in guaranteed score-based cash prizes. Moreover, the organizer provides boards, sets, and clocks in all sections, so players only need to bring their US Chess membership details and prepare for their games.

🏁 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The Championship, U2200, U2000, U1800, and U1600 sections use Game/90 with 30-second increment in the 3-day schedule. However, players who choose the 2-day schedule in those sections play Rounds 1 and 2 at Game/45 with 30-second increment.

The U1300 and U1000 sections use Game/75 with 5-second delay. In the 2-day schedule, their first two rounds use Game/45 with 5-second delay. Meanwhile, the U1300 3-day schedule keeps Game/75 with 5-second delay for all rounds.

The Championship, U2200, and U2000 sections are FIDE rated. Therefore, players in those sections should make sure their FIDE and US Chess details are correct before the event.

💰 Prize Fund

The tournament offers USD 14,225 in guaranteed score-based cash prizes. The organizer pays prizes based on final score rather than traditional place sharing. As a result, a player’s prize does not decrease because another player finishes with the same score.

The U1000 section also awards trophies to the top five finishers and the top U800 player. In addition, unrated prize limits apply in the lower sections.

A Maryland resident aged 50+ who finishes highest in the Championship section receives a USD 750 stipend for the national 50+ state champions event. This stipend is separate from the main guaranteed prize fund.

♟️ Sections / Groups

Players with provisional ratings receive 100 extra rating points for section-eligibility purposes. Therefore, provisional players should check their adjusted eligibility before choosing a section.

📅 Schedule

Championship, U2200, U2000, U1800, and U1600 – 3-Day Schedule

Championship, U2200, U2000, U1800, and U1600 – 2-Day Schedule

U1300 – 3-Day Schedule

U1300 and U1000 – 2-Day Schedule

📝 Registration

Mailed registrations should include the player name, section, and preferred schedule. In addition, players who plan to register at the door should follow the correct deadline for their section and schedule.

👤 Organizer

The Maryland Chess Association organizes the 71st Annual Maryland Open as one of its flagship weekend tournaments. The event belongs to the US Chess Heritage Event and Grand Prix calendar and continues a long tradition of Maryland open chess competition.

Email: tournaments@mdchess.com

📍 Venue

Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel & Executive Meeting Ctr, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-1699, USA

The hotel serves as both the playing site and the tournament hotel. In addition, the organizer lists a USD 149 per night room rate for the event. Rooms are limited, so visiting players should book early.

🛏️ Accommodation

The organizer lists a tournament hotel rate of USD 149 per night at the Rockville Hilton. The hotel also sits close to Metro access, which helps players travel between Rockville and the wider Washington, DC area.

Players who stay at the hotel should use the official tournament hotel booking option when available. In addition, they should confirm parking and room terms directly during booking.

🚗 How to Get There

The venue is located on Rockville Pike in Rockville, Maryland. Players can arrive by car from the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC areas.

The hotel is also close to Metro access. Therefore, players who prefer public transport can use the Washington Metro system and continue to the hotel from the nearby station.

The organizer lists parking at $6 for day guests and $15 overnight. The Metro parking lot is free on the weekend.

ℹ️ Other

Half-point byes must be committed before Round 3. Once a player uses a half-point bye to avoid a full-point bye, that bye may not be removed.

ChessNoteR and eNotate electronic scorekeeping devices cannot be used at this tournament. Also, if both players are absent at the start of a round in sections where the organizer provides clocks, the tournament director starts White’s clock.

Any player who forfeits a round must pay a $50 fine before playing in a future Maryland Chess Association or Baltimore Chess tournament.

The organizer provides boards, sets, and clocks in all sections. In addition, players can receive pairings by text or email, and the event includes a free Sunday morning continental breakfast.

71st Annual Maryland Open offers a strong multi-section weekend chess event with FIDE-rated top sections, guaranteed prizes, practical schedules, and a convenient tournament hotel in Rockville.