3rd Annual Blue Ridge Open 2026 will take place from September 18 to 20, 2026, at the Washington Dulles Airport Marriott in Dulles, Virginia. The five-round Swiss offers Premier, U2000, U1600 and U1200 sections, with the Premier and U2000 sections submitted for FIDE rating.
Premier, U2000 and U1600 use a three-day schedule at G/90+30. U1200 uses G/60 with a five-second delay and begins on Saturday. The organizer has published a $6,550 prize fund based on 100 full-paid entries, with U1200 entries counting at 50 percent for the guarantee calculation.
The airport hotel provides a practical fly-in venue. The organizer advertises free daytime parking and a complimentary terminal shuttle approximately every 15 minutes. A special chess room rate is available until August 28, subject to the hotel’s inventory and booking conditions.
📌 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | September 18–20, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Dulles, Virginia, United States |
| 🏛️ Venue | Washington Dulles Airport Marriott |
| ♟️ Format | 5-round Swiss |
| 📂 Sections | Premier · U2000 · U1600 · U1200 |
| ⭐ FIDE Rating | Premier and U2000 |
| 🏆 Prize Fund | $6,550 based on 100 full-paid entries; U1200 entries count at 50% |
| ⏳ Forfeit Time | 60 minutes in all sections |
| 📝 Registration | https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/9313 |
| 🌐 Organizer Page | https://sites.google.com/atlanticchessassociation.com/public/tournaments/upcoming/3rd-annual-blue-ridge-open |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
| Section | Time control | Schedule type |
|---|---|---|
| Premier | G/90 + 30-second increment | Three-day schedule |
| U2000 | G/90 + 30-second increment | Three-day schedule |
| U1600 | G/90 + 30-second increment | Three-day schedule |
| U1200 | G/60 with 5-second delay | Saturday–Sunday schedule |
The forfeit time is 60 minutes in every section. Boards and pieces are supplied. Players should bring a pen and a chess clock if available, and they must know how to set their clock.
Electronic notation devices are prohibited in every section. The organizer also applies a strict policy covering mobile phones and other electronic devices.
🏆 Prize Fund
The published $6,550 prize fund is based on 100 full-paid entries. U1200 entrants count as one-half entry when the organizer calculates the guaranteed amount.
| Section / category | Prize breakdown | Section total |
|---|---|---|
| Premier overall | $1,200 / $800 / $400 / $200 | $2,600 |
| Premier U2100 class | $400 / $200 | $600 |
| Premier total | Overall plus U2100 class prizes | $3,200 |
| U2000 overall | $800 / $400 / $200 / $100 | $1,500 |
| U2000 U1700 class | $200 / $100 | $300 |
| U2000 total | Overall plus U1700 class prizes | $1,800 |
| U1600 overall | $400 / $200 / $100 | $700 |
| U1600 U1300 class | $100 | $100 |
| U1600 total | Unrated prize limit: $100 | $800 |
| U1200 overall | $250 / $150 | $400 |
| U1200 U800 class | $100 | $100 |
| U1200 total | Overall plus U800 class prize | $500 |
| Mixed Doubles | $125 / $75 / $50 | $250 |
Mixed Doubles teams consist of one male and one female player. Team members may play in different sections, but their combined average USCF rating must be below 2200. Team registration is due before Round 3.
Players who withdraw from the tournament are not eligible for prizes.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility | Additional conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Premier | Minimum standard USCF rating 2000, based on a rating reached after any tournament from January 1, 2026 onward | 1900–1999 may enter with an additional $100; 1800–1899 with an additional $200; below 1800 is ineligible |
| U2000 | Minimum standard USCF rating 1500, based on a rating reached after any tournament from January 1, 2026 onward | 1400–1499 may enter with an additional $100; below 1400 is ineligible |
| U1600 | No published minimum rating | Unrated prize limit is $100 |
| U1200 | No published minimum rating | Shorter time control and Saturday start |
All FIDE-titled players at FM level or above must play in Premier. They do not pay the Premier play-up surcharge when their rating is below the minimum.
The September 2026 US Chess rating list is used for Premier pairings and prizes. The organizer reserves the right to apply another rating system or conversion for a specific player or section where appropriate.
🎖️ Eligibility, Titles & Qualification
Limited conditions may be offered to GM, IM, WGM and WIM players with a minimum FIDE rating of 2400, subject to availability.
| Commitment timing | Published titled-player condition |
|---|---|
| Committed by July 31 | Free entry with no prize deduction |
| After July 31 | Free entry may be available, but $135 is deducted from any prize |
Players receiving conditions must play all five rounds and may not take byes or withdraw. The organizer may decline conditions based on availability or prior experience.
🗓️ Schedule
| Date | Premier / U2000 / U1600 | U1200 |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, September 18 | Round 1 – 19:00 | No round |
| Saturday, September 19 | Round 2 – 10:00 · Round 3 – 16:00 | Round 1 – 10:00 · Round 2 – 13:00 · Round 3 – 16:00 |
| Sunday, September 20 | Round 4 – 09:00 · Round 5 – 15:00 | Round 4 – 09:00 · Round 5 – 12:00 |
Pairing, standing and bye information is expected to appear through the organizer’s tournament-management channels closer to the event.
📝 Registration
Online registration is strongly recommended. On-site registration closes one hour before the first round in each schedule. Later entrants may be accepted with a half-point bye.
| Section group | By Aug. 2 | By Aug. 23 | By Sep. 6 | On/after Sep. 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier / U2000 / U1600 | $135 | $150 | $165 | $180 |
| U1200 | $65 | $75 | $85 | $95 |
All fee deadlines are stated in Eastern Time. Players must choose the correct fee and section during registration. Re-entry is permitted in U2000, U1600 and U1200 at $75; Premier does not permit re-entry.
| Registration closure | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Premier / U2000 / U1600 | 18:00 on Friday, September 18 |
| U1200 | 09:00 on Saturday, September 19 |
Half-Point Byes
Up to two irrevocable half-point byes are allowed. They must be committed one hour before Round 2. After the deadline, only zero-point byes may be requested.
| Section group | Half-point-bye deadline |
|---|---|
| Premier / U2000 / U1600 | 09:00 on Saturday, September 19 |
| U1200 | 12:00 on Saturday, September 19 |
Withdrawals are subject to a 10% processing fee. The organizer states that full credit may be used for a future Atlantic Chess Association tournament.
| Registration resource | Full URL |
|---|---|
| Online registration | https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/9313 |
| Organizer event page | https://sites.google.com/atlanticchessassociation.com/public/tournaments/upcoming/3rd-annual-blue-ridge-open |
👤 Organizer
| Contact item | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Atlantic Chess Association |
| Tournament Email | director@atlanticchessassociation.com |
| Organizer Website | https://www.atlanticchessassociation.com/ |
| Detailed Tournament Page | https://sites.google.com/atlanticchessassociation.com/public/tournaments/upcoming/3rd-annual-blue-ridge-open |
| US Chess Listing | https://new.uschess.org/3rd-annual-blue-ridge-open |
Questions about eligibility, rating conversions, titled-player conditions, byes or registration status should be resolved with the organizer before travel.
📍 Venue
Washington Dulles Airport Marriott – 45020 Aviation Drive, Dulles, Virginia 20166, United States.
| Venue feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Airport proximity | Located on Washington Dulles International Airport property |
| Hotel telephone | +1 703-471-9500 |
| Tournament parking | The organizer advertises free daytime parking; overnight or long-term conditions should be confirmed with the hotel |
| Airport shuttle | Complimentary shuttle approximately every 15 minutes |
| On-site services | Restaurant, grab-and-go food, meeting rooms and hotel accommodation |
| Hotel Website | https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/iadap-washington-dulles-airport-marriott/overview/ |
🚗 How to Get There
| Method | Planning guidance |
|---|---|
| By air | Washington Dulles International Airport is the natural arrival airport. The hotel is on airport property and provides a complimentary terminal shuttle. |
| Airport shuttle | The hotel states that its shuttle operates approximately every 15 minutes; confirm the current pickup point and timetable before arrival. |
| By car | Use 45020 Aviation Drive. The organizer notes that the Dulles Airport Access Road route does not require a toll. |
| By Metro | Use the Silver Line to Washington Dulles International Airport station, then follow the current hotel-shuttle or terminal connection instructions. |
| Taxi / rideshare | Follow airport pickup rules and allow additional time at peak arrival periods. |
| Travel resource | Full URL |
|---|---|
| Washington Dulles International Airport | https://www.flydulles.com/ |
| Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | https://www.wmata.com/ |
| Washington Dulles Airport Marriott | https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/iadap-washington-dulles-airport-marriott/overview/ |
🏨 Accommodation Near the Venue
The official playing venue is also the principal accommodation option. The organizer publishes a chess rate of $109 per night for a one-king-bed room and $119 per night for a two-double-bed room.
| Booking item | Published condition |
|---|---|
| King room | $109 per night |
| Two-double-bed room | $119 per night |
| Booking deadline | Friday, August 28, 2026 |
| Telephone booking | 1-800-228-9290 or +1 703-471-9500 |
| Rate name | Mention “Atlantic Chess Tournament” |
| Direct hotel page | https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/iadap-washington-dulles-airport-marriott/overview/ |
Room inventory, taxes, cancellation rules, breakfast and parking conditions should be checked directly with Marriott. The special rate may close early if the room block sells out.
ℹ️ Other Information
- Boards and chess pieces are supplied.
- Players should bring a pen and a chess clock if available.
- Players are expected to know how to set their own chess clock.
- Electronic notation devices are not allowed in any section.
- A strict mobile-phone and electronic-device policy applies.
- Players who withdraw are not eligible for prizes.
- The CaissaChess registration page may contain newer operational information than the US Chess tournament listing.
✅ Final Checks Before Travel
Complete these checks against the latest organizer and registration pages before travelling.
| Check | Action |
|---|---|
| Section eligibility | Confirm the rating minimum, play-up surcharge and titled-player placement rules for the selected section. |
| Fee tier | Check the registration date and pay the correct Premier/U2000/U1600 or U1200 fee. |
| Registration status | Verify that the entry appears as accepted and that any requested byes are recorded. |
| Bye deadline | Commit half-point byes before the published Round 2 deadline; they are irrevocable. |
| Hotel | Book the chess rate by August 28 and confirm taxes, cancellation terms and parking. |
| Equipment | Pack a pen and clock; do not bring an electronic notation device into the playing area. |
| Travel | Confirm the airport-shuttle pickup point, Metro connection or driving route shortly before departure. |
🔗 Official Resources
| Resource | Official URL |
|---|---|
| Atlantic Chess Association tournament page | https://sites.google.com/atlanticchessassociation.com/public/tournaments/upcoming/3rd-annual-blue-ridge-open |
| US Chess tournament listing | https://new.uschess.org/3rd-annual-blue-ridge-open |
| Official online registration | https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/9313 |
| Atlantic Chess Association | https://www.atlanticchessassociation.com/ |
| Washington Dulles Airport Marriott | https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/iadap-washington-dulles-airport-marriott/overview/ |
| Washington Dulles International Airport | https://www.flydulles.com/ |
| Silver Line / Metro information | https://www.wmata.com/ |
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $6,550
Organizer
♟️ About Atlantic Chess Association
The Atlantic Chess Association organizes rated chess events across the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and Texas. It holds an official affiliation with the US Chess Federation. Moreover, the association welcomes players of different ages, ratings, and competitive backgrounds. Its programs combine organized competition, chess education, and community development.
Shilpa Vaidya is the founder and director of the Atlantic Chess Association. She has managed tournaments in both the DC Metro area and Texas for more than four years. In addition, she remains directly involved in tournament planning and event delivery. This hands-on leadership gives the organization a clear and personal identity.
The wider team also includes Ameya Haldankar, a certified US Chess local tournament director and experienced player. He has directed more than 40 US Chess-rated tournaments. Furthermore, he has supported the association’s tournaments and summer-camp activities. Together, the team focuses on reliable organization, respectful communication, and a positive player experience.
🏆 Tournaments and Competitive Events
Atlantic Chess Association runs a varied annual program of classical, rapid, blitz, action, bughouse, and scholastic tournaments. Its calendar includes major weekend opens and shorter side events. Therefore, players can choose between serious multi-day competitions and faster one-day formats.
The organization’s recurring events include the Independence Day Open, Blue Ridge Open, Presidents’ Day Open, Thanksgiving Open, and Charity Chess Tournament. Several events also include separate scholastic, blitz, action, or bughouse competitions. As a result, each tournament weekend can serve several groups of players.
The association also organizes FIDE-rated sections and strong open competitions. For example, its Independence Day Open has attracted grandmasters, titled players, ambitious juniors, and experienced club competitors. In addition, the event has offered several rating sections and a substantial prize fund.
Professional event management remains one of the organization’s main priorities. Rounds aim to begin on time, while organizers remain available throughout each tournament. Moreover, top-board games may appear live on Chess.com and Lichess. The association also emphasizes anti-cheating controls, prompt rating submissions, and clear player communication.
Cash prizes normally reach winners without unnecessary delays. In many cases, the organizer distributes them on the final tournament day. Furthermore, the association publishes schedules, entry information, prize details, and tournament conditions before each event. This approach helps players prepare with greater confidence.
🎓 Chess Education and Community Programs
Beyond tournament organization, Atlantic Chess Association provides chess classes, weekly lessons, and summer camps. These programs support beginners, developing juniors, and more advanced students. Consequently, participants can continue improving between competitive events.
Its group classes include separate learning pathways for beginner and advanced players. The association also offers trial opportunities and longer instructional sessions. In addition, students can receive structured coaching throughout several months.
Summer camps combine chess instruction with practical play and group activities. The programs give young players more time to study tactics, strategy, and tournament skills. Meanwhile, experienced tournament directors help create an organized and supportive learning environment.
The association also supports community-based and scholastic events in Virginia, Maryland, Texas, and nearby areas. These tournaments introduce younger players to structured competition. Moreover, they give families access to events designed around school-age participants and developing players.
Through rated tournaments, scholastic competitions, classes, camps, and professional event management, Atlantic Chess Association continues to expand its regional role. Its activities connect serious competition with long-term player development. Above all, the organization aims to make chess events competitive, welcoming, and professionally managed.
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