7th Colonial Open brings major springtime competition to April 2-5, 2026 in Sterling, Virginia, United States, with multiple rating groups, FIDE-rated premier sections, and a strong prize structure that attracts ambitious improvers and seasoned tournament regulars. The event features a $10,000 cash prize fund, a well-established multi-day format, and recognized points opportunities for US Chess circuits.

The schedule offers flexible formats for the top sections, including 4-day and 3-day options that converge into the same event after the early rounds, plus a dedicated 2-day U1200 section for players who prefer a compact weekend plan. Capital Area Chess also adds a Saturday night Blitz side event to extend the weekend with fast-paced competition and additional prizes.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

Open (FIDE)

U2000 (FIDE)

U1600 (FIDE)

U1200 / Unrated

The organizer caps unrated prize winnings at $200 in U2000 and U1600. The organizer deducts $100 from prize winnings for GMs/IMs/WGMs/WIMs who register after March 22, 2026.

Blitz Side Event (Saturday night)

The Blitz prize pool depends on 30 entries.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Open, U2000, and U1600 run 7 rounds with two scheduling options. The 4-day schedule uses G/90 +30 for Rounds 1–7. The 3-day schedule uses G/60 d5 for Rounds 1–2 and G/90 +30 for Rounds 3–7, and the organizer merges the 3-day field into the 4-day field in Round 3.

The organizer runs U1200 as a 2-day, 6-round event with G/60 d5 throughout. The organizer runs the Blitz side event as a 5-round Double Swiss with G/3 +2.

The organizer allows byes in all rounds, requires players to commit 1 hour before Round 2, and limits players to 2 byes in all sections. The organizer applies the Open minimum rating rule using peak rating consideration through the October 2025 supplement.

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

Open / U2000 / U1600 (4-day schedule)

Open / U2000 / U1600 (3-day schedule)

U1200 (2-day schedule)

Blitz side event

📝 Registration

The organizer accepts entries online through https://www.capitalareachess.com/colonialopen and also accepts mail entries to Capital Area Chess Inc, 5116 Bebe Ct., Centreville, VA 20120. The organizer bases the main prize fund on 140 entries and guarantees 60% of it.

The organizer sets entry fees for Open/U2000/U1600 at $150 if you enter by March 8, 2026, $165 by March 22, 2026, $180 by March 29, 2026, and $195 after that and onsite. The organizer prices U1200 at $60 less than the corresponding Open/U2000/U1600 fee tier. The organizer offers free entry to GMs/IMs/WGMs/WIMs who register by April 1, 2026 and deducts $100 from prize winnings for those titled players who register after March 22, 2026.

The organizer closes registration for the 4-day Open/U2000/U1600 option on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM, closes registration for the 3-day option on Friday, April 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and closes registration for U1200 on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 10:00 AM. The organizer charges a 10% service fee on refunds until April 1, 2026 and applies a 50% penalty for withdrawals after April 1, 2026.

👥 Organizer

Capital Area Chess organizes the 7th Colonial Open as a long-running Northern Virginia tournament series that combines ambitious FIDE competition with practical scheduling options and clear prize targets across multiple rating groups. The organizer also supports the weekend with recognized Grand Prix pathways and a Saturday night blitz program.

• Email: co2026@capitalareachess.com

• Phone: 703-627-5314

• Website: https://www.capitalareachess.com/colonialopen

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

🏨 Venue

Executive Conference and Training Center
22685 Holiday Park Drive, Suite 60, Sterling, VA 20166, United States

The Executive Conference and Training Center at Dulles provides a dedicated conference and training setting with professional meeting facilities designed for structured events. The location sits near Washington Dulles International Airport and supports an efficient tournament environment that fits multi-round schedules across several days.

🛎️ Accommodation

Holiday Inn Washington Dulles
45425 Holiday Drive, Dulles, VA 20166, United States

The organizer offers a group rate of $115 per night when you reserve by March 11, 2026. The hotel runs frequent shuttle service from IAD Airport, and you can reach the playing venue with about a 5-minute walk.

🚗 How to Get There

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) sits close to the venue area, and the hotel runs frequent shuttles from the airport. Metro connects IAD Airport with Union Station in Washington, D.C., and also connects into the broader regional transit network, including access toward Reagan National Airport (DCA).

If you drive, you can navigate directly to 22685 Holiday Park Drive, Suite 60, Sterling, VA 20166 and park locally in the venue area.

Bring your best preparation and your best practical chess, and let a full weekend of serious rounds and fast blitz sharpen your spring form in Northern Virginia.