Experience a thrilling celebration of chess and liberty at the 3rd Annual Independence Day Open in Dulles, Virginia! This high-caliber tournament welcomes players of all levels to compete over the Independence Day weekend in a FIDE-rated event featuring norm opportunities, strong competition, and a patriotic atmosphere. Hosted at a top-tier airport hotel, the event offers competitive prize funds, multiple schedule options, and an ideal setting for summer chess excellence.
📅 Dates
July 2–6, 2025
- Premier Section: 5-day schedule
- U2300/U1900: Choice of 3-day or 4-day schedule
- U1500: 2-day schedule
🏨 Venue Information
Washington Dulles Airport Marriott
📍 45020 Aviation Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
Enjoy spacious, air-conditioned playing halls with professional lighting, free on-site parking, and complimentary airport shuttle service to/from Dulles International Airport (IAD).
⏱️ Time Control
All sections use G/90 + 30-second increment per move starting from move one.
🕐 Tournament Schedule
♜ Premier Section (9 Rounds – 5 Days)
- Jul 2: Rd 1 – 7:00 PM
- Jul 3: Rds 2 & 3 – 1:00 PM, 7:00 PM
- Jul 4: Rds 4 & 5 – 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM
- Jul 5: Rds 6 & 7 – 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM
- Jul 6: Rds 8 & 9 – 9:00 AM, 3:00 PM
♞ U2300 / U1900 – 7 Rounds
4-Day Schedule:
- Jul 3–6 (starting 7:00 PM July 3)
3-Day Schedule: - Jul 4–6 (starting 10:00 AM July 4)
♟️ U1500 – 5 Rounds
- Jul 4: Rds 1–3 at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM
- Jul 5: Rds 4–5 at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM
🔢 Number of Rounds
- Premier: 9 rounds
- U2300 / U1900: 7 rounds
- U1500: 5 rounds
💰 Prize Fund & Prizes
💵 Total Prize Fund: $10,500 (based on 120 paid entries)
🏆 Premier Section:
- 1st – $2,400
- 2nd – $1,200
- 3rd – $600
- 4th – $400
- 5th – $200
- 6th – $100
- U2200 Class: $400, $200, $100
🎯 U2300 Section:
- 1st – $1,200
- 2nd – $600
- 3rd – $400
- 4th – $200
- 5th – $100
- U2000 Class: $200, $100
- Unrated Cap: $500
🧠 U1900 Section:
- 1st – $600
- 2nd – $300
- 3rd – $150
- 4th – $100
- U1700 Class: $150, $100
- Unrated Cap: $300
🧒 U1500 Section:
- 1st – $400
- 2nd – $200
- 3rd – $100
- Unrated Cap: $200
📝 Registration & Participation
- All players must hold valid US Chess Federation membership
- Choose your section and schedule at registration
- Players may request up to two half-point byes, declared by the start of Round 2
Entry Deadlines by Section:
- Premier: July 2 (6:00 PM)
- U2300/U1900 (4-day): July 3 (6:00 PM)
- U2300/U1900 (3-day) & U1500: July 4 (9:00 AM)
💳 Entry Fees & Payment
Premier Section:
- $150 by June 15
- $170 from June 16–July 1
- $190 on-site
U2300 / U1900:
- $130 by June 15
- $150 from June 16–July 1
- $170 on-site
U1500:
- $110 by June 15
- $130 from June 16–July 1
- $150 on-site
💸 Online payments accepted via credit card
🔁 Refunds before July 1 incur a $15 fee
✈️ Travel & Accommodation
- Book special chess rates at Washington Dulles Airport Marriott
- Free shuttle service from Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Complimentary on-site parking
- Explore nearby dining, shopping, and tourist attractions in the D.C. metro area
👤 Tournament Leadership of 3rd Annual Independence Day Open
- Chief Organizer: Shilpa Vaidya
- Chief Arbiter: Gregory Vaserstein (FIDE Licensed)
🏛️ Organizer – Atlantic Chess Association
The Atlantic Chess Association promotes competitive chess through professionally run events in the Mid-Atlantic region. With a strong focus on player experience, the ACA delivers top-notch tournaments that attract rising stars, seasoned professionals, and scholastic talents alike. The organization values diversity, precision, and fairness in every event it conducts.
📍 Address: 1745 Reston Parkway, Suite 300, Reston, VA 20190
📞 Phone: +1 (703) 555-4499
📧 Email: info@atlanticchessassociation.com
🔗 Facebook: facebook.com/atlanticchessassociation
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/atlanticchess
Additional Details
Playing Venue - Washington Dulles Airport Marriott
Prize Fund - $10,500
Organizer Name - Atlantic Chess Association
Organizer Phone - +1 (703) 555-4499
Organizer Email - info@atlanticchessassociation.com
Tournament Director - Shilpa Vaidya
Chief Arbiter - Gregory Vaserstein (FIDE Licensed)
Time control - All sections use G/90 + 30-second increment per move starting from move one.
Number of rounds - Premier Section (9 Rounds – 5 Days), U2300 / U1900 – 7 Rounds, U1500 – 5 Rounds
Tournament system - SWISS
Rating - FIDE
Organizer
Atlantic Chess Association is a growing tournament organizer based in the DC Metro area, with additional event activity in Texas. The organization has developed a strong reputation for professional event management, player-friendly communication, and well-run over-the-board competitions. Moreover, it presents itself as a structured and service-focused chess organization that values clarity, courtesy, and quality tournament conditions. As a result, it has become an increasingly visible name in the regional chess community.
The association runs a broad mix of open chess tournaments, scholastic events, camps, and training programs throughout the year. In addition, it organizes FIDE-rated tournaments, seasonal opens, blitz events, action tournaments, and chess camps that serve both developing players and serious competitors. Its programming supports classical chess, rapid play, and youth participation, while also expanding its footprint through recurring events in major hotel venues. Therefore, Atlantic Chess Association stands out as an ambitious chess organizer with a clear focus on competitive structure and player experience.
Beyond tournament operations, the organization also supports chess growth through classes, camps, and community-oriented programming. Furthermore, its leadership structure gives it a personal and hands-on identity, with the founder and directing team closely involved in event delivery. The association’s public presence also shows a commitment to building a recognizable regional chess brand through consistent activity and outreach. Consequently, Atlantic Chess Association continues to strengthen its role in chess development, event organization, and modern tournament culture.
