DC Open takes place from June 26-28, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. This is a chess tournament in Washington, District of Columbia, in 2026. The event features a 5-round Swiss format, four sections, FIDE rating in the top two sections, and a classical time control in the main schedule. In addition, players may choose either a 3-day schedule or a faster 2-day option for the opening rounds.

Moreover, DC Open gives players a strong over-the-board weekend event in the nation’s capital. Because the tournament is held in cooperation with the DC Chess Association and carries Grand Prix, Enhanced Grand Prix, and Junior Grand Prix status, it offers added competitive value. Furthermore, the Omni Shoreham Hotel provides a well-known Washington venue, which makes this chess event in Washington, DC especially appealing for both local players and visiting competitors.

🗓️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The main event uses a 5-round Swiss structure with a classical time control of 40 moves in 80 minutes, followed by sudden death in 30 minutes, with a 30-second delay. Therefore, the tournament clearly belongs to the classical chess category rather than rapid or blitz.

In addition, players may choose a 2-day option. In that faster schedule, Rounds 1 and 2 use Game 60 with a 10-second delay before the event continues through the standard weekend structure. Because of this format, the tournament can suit players who want either a traditional 3-day experience or a more compressed schedule.

📂 Sections / Groups

📝 Registration

👥 Organizer

Continental Chess Association organizes DC Open in cooperation with the DC Chess Association. In addition, Continental Chess has decades of experience running major multi-section weekend opens across the United States. Meanwhile, the DC Chess Association adds strong local value through its role in promoting organized chess in Washington, DC. As a result, players can expect a structured event with experienced tournament management and a recognized local partnership.

• Address: PO Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803, USA

• Email: director@chess.us

• Phone: +1 347 201 2269

• Website: https://www.chesstour.com/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/continentalchess/

🏨 Venue

Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA

The playing site is a landmark hotel in Washington, DC, set in the Woodley Park area near Rock Creek Park. In addition, the venue gives the tournament a full hotel setting, which can make weekend play more comfortable for local participants and out-of-town visitors. The location also places players in one of the city’s best-known neighborhoods.

🚗 How to Get There

Players arriving by Metro can use the Red Line and exit at the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan station, which is within walking distance of the hotel. In addition, the venue’s Washington location makes rideshare and taxi access straightforward for visitors coming from Union Station, downtown, or nearby airports.

Meanwhile, players who travel by car should plan for hotel valet parking. Because the tournament takes place in a major city hotel, arriving early can make check-in and weekend logistics easier.

🧾 Other

A blitz tournament is scheduled for Saturday evening at 9:30 PM with on-site entry.

If you want a classical chess tournament in Washington, DC with FIDE-rated upper sections, a respected hotel venue, and a strong weekend format, DC Open offers a serious and practical competitive experience.