3rd Central Virginia Open brings a major spring weekend of rated chess to April 10-12, 2026 in Glen Allen, Virginia, United States. The event offers a $4,600 guaranteed cash prize fund and includes a FIDE-rated Open alongside multiple US Chess rated sections for a wide range of playing strengths.
You can compete in a full three-day schedule or choose the weekend-only Under 1100 option, while young players can join the one-day scholastic section. The tournament also runs as a VCF Cup event and rewards strong results with guaranteed payouts.

The playing site sits at a Hilton Garden Inn in the Innsbrook area, close to local dining and a short drive from Richmond. The organizer provides boards and pieces and keeps the pace professional with clear start times, a 30-minute default rule, and controlled bye policies.
If you want a serious classical event with defined sections, reliable scheduling, and strong prize support, this tournament fits perfectly into an ambitious 2026 calendar.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

Scholastic U800 awards trophies to the top 3 and medals to players who score an even result.

Unrated players can win up to $150 in prize winnings.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Open uses FIDE rules and receives both FIDE and US Chess rating; the tournament uses the December USCF Rating Supplement. The Open section runs 5 rounds at G/90 +30 with a 30-minute default/no-show rule, and it allows one half-point bye by request submitted at least one hour before Round 2.

U1700 follows US Chess rules and receives US Chess rating only; it uses the same round schedule, time control, default rule, and bye policy as the Open section, and it welcomes unrated players. U1100 follows US Chess rules with US Chess rating only and plays 5 rounds at G/60 +10 across Saturday and Sunday, using the same default rule and the same single half-point bye policy (request at least one hour before Round 2).

The Scholastic U800 section plays Saturday only with 4 rounds at G/25 d5 and uses ASAP pairings after the first round.

Players who lose Round 1 can re-enter for $40 after Round 1 and receive a half-point bye for Round 1; players cannot take any other half-point byes with re-entry.

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

A blitz side event runs Saturday night with an approximate start time of 9:00 PM and separate registration: https://www.kingregistration.com/event/3rdCentralBlitz

📝 Registration

Register online at https://www.kingregistration.com/event/3rdCentralVaOpen and complete registration before online entry closes on April 9, 2026 at midnight. Players can also register onsite, but onsite registration closes 30 minutes before Round 1 to receive a Round 1 pairing.

Open, U1700, U1100 entry fees: $105 through 3/31/2026, $125 through 4/6/2026, then $140 after and onsite. Scholastic entry fees: $35 through 3/31/2026, $40 through 4/6/2026, then $45 after and onsite. Onsite payments accept cash, credit, Venmo, and PayPal.

Players with GM, IM, FM, WGM, WIM, or WFM titles receive free entry if they register by March 26, 2026, and the organizer deducts the entry fee from prize winnings. The tournament does not issue refunds after Round 1 starts, and withdrawals receive refunds minus non-refundable processing charges incurred.

Open section players need a FIDE ID; players without a FIDE ID should submit this form before the tournament: https://forms.gle/fCCTis7WgtJEb2rv6

👥 Organizer

Eastern Chess Association runs the 3rd Central Virginia Open with experienced tournament direction and a structured schedule designed for serious weekend competition across multiple rating sections.

• Email: easternchessdirector@gmail.com

• Phone: 757-416-2075

• Website: https://easternchess.com/

🏨 Venue

Hilton Garden Inn, 4050 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060, United States. The hotel sits in the Innsbrook area near local dining, and it offers a comfortable conference-style setting that works well for tournament play.

🛎️ Accommodation

Book the tournament hotel rate by March 27, 2026: https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=RICIBGI&groupCode=903&arrivaldate=2026-04-10&departuredate=2026-04-13&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT

Other nearby options listed by the organizer:
Hyatt Place (same parking lot): https://www.hyatt.com/shop/rooms/riczi?checkinDate=2025-04-04&checkoutDate=2025-04-06&rooms=1&adults=2&kids=1&childAge1=9&rate=Standard&brands[]=place&location=Hyatt%20Place%20Richmond%2FInnsbrook&roomTypeCode=DBLA
Comfort Suites (short drive): https://www.choicehotels.com/virginia/glen-allen/comfort-suites-hotels/va052?mc=llgoxxpx
Homewood Suites (short drive): https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=RICWTHW&arrivalDate=2025-04-04&departureDate=2025-04-06&room1NumAdults=2&room1NumChildren=1&displayCurrency=USD

🚗 How to Get There

Richmond International Airport (RIC) sits about 15 miles from the venue, and you can reach Glen Allen quickly by car via the Richmond-area highway network. Drivers can access the Innsbrook area efficiently from I-64 and nearby major roads.

If you arrive by train, use Amtrak service into Richmond and continue by taxi or rideshare from either Richmond Staples Mill Road Station, 7519 Staples Mill Road, Richmond, VA 23228, or Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219.

Bring your clock, plan your section carefully, and make Glen Allen your stage for a focused April weekend of competitive chess.