Spring chess in Northern Virginia takes a high-stakes turn when 13th Cherry Blossom Classic runs on May 21-25, 2026 in Sterling, Virginia, United States. Capital Area Chess brings five sections to the Executive Conference and Training Center and anchors the festival with a 9-round Open that offers norms and an unconditional $10,000 guarantee. The event awards 200 Enhanced Grand Prix points, counts for the US Chess Junior Grand Prix, and adds VCF Cup value for regional and traveling competitors. The organizer guarantees $20,000 in total prizes and can grow the overall pool to $25,000 based on 280 paid entries. Expect deep fields, classical time controls, and serious over-the-board competition minutes from Washington Dulles.

Each top section uses a classical time control of G/90 +30, while U1000 runs G/60 with 5-second delay in a compact weekend format. U2100, U1700, and U1300 offer both 5-day and 4-day schedules that merge into the main event, and U1000 keeps a 2-day schedule with six rounds. The organizer uses May 2026 FIDE ratings for Open pairings and prizes and requires a peak FIDE 2000+ for Open entry, with limited approved exceptions. A nearby Holiday Inn offers a chess group rate and easy airport access, which makes the event a practical option for a long weekend of serious chess. The new location keeps travel simple while still delivering a full national-level tournament experience.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

The organizer guarantees $10,000 in the Open section and guarantees $10,000 total across the remaining sections. The organizer bases the overall prize pool up to $25,000 on 280 paid entries, and it scales non-Open section prize pools with entries.

Open (US Chess/FIDE; 5-day only) — $10,000 guaranteed

U2100 (US Chess/FIDE; 5-day or 4-day) — organizer bases $6,800 on entries

U1700 (US Chess/FIDE; 5-day or 4-day) — organizer bases $4,400 on entries

U1300 (5-day or 4-day) — organizer bases $2,600 on entries

U1000 (2-day only) — organizer bases $1,200 on entries

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Open, U2100, U1700, and U1300 use G/90 with a 30-second increment from move 1 on the main schedule, and the 4-day option uses G/60 with a 5-second delay for Rounds 1–2 before it switches to G/90 +30 from Round 3 onward. U1000 plays a 6-round schedule with G/60 and a 5-second delay. The organizer uses May 2026 FIDE ratings for Open pairings and prizes, and it uses May 2026 US Chess ratings for pairings and prizes in the other sections; the organizer may apply rating conversions when it deems them appropriate for a player or section. Players may take byes in any round, with a limit of three byes in all sections except U1000 (two byes); players must commit byes at least one hour before Round 3, and players who seek norms in the Open should avoid byes. The organizer enforces a 30-minute default forfeit time and prohibits electronic notation devices in all sections.

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

5-day schedule (Open; optional for U2100/U1700/U1300)

4-day schedule (U2100/U1700/U1300)

U1000 (2-day only)

📝 Registration

Online registration will open soon, with the latest updates published on the official event pages at https://capitalareachess.com/CherryBlossom/ and https://new.uschess.org/13th-cherry-blossom-classic. Entry-fee deadlines for the Open, U2100, U1700, and U1300 sections are $240 by April 19, $265 by May 10, $290 by May 17, and $320 after May 17 and for onsite registration; the U1000 section is $120 less at each deadline ($120 by April 19, $145 by May 10, $170 by May 17, and $200 after May 17 and onsite). Onsite entries close two hours before Round 1, and players who register after the cutoff will be assigned a ½-point bye in Round 1. Withdrawal fees are 10% through May 17, 50% through May 20, and no refunds are issued after May 20, 2026.

Grandmasters and foreign IMs, WGMs, and WIMs receive free entry in the Open section with a $100 refundable deposit, and $120 is deducted from any prize winnings. US IMs, WGMs, and WIMs, as well as foreign FIDE-rated players with a FIDE rating of 1800+ receive a $100 entry discount, and $80 is deducted from any prize winnings. Limited appearance-fee and accommodation arrangements may be available for select titled players who register by April 19, 2026, satisfy the published participation requirements, and secure availability.

👥 Organizer

Capital Area Chess organizes the 13th Cherry Blossom Classic and directs the event as a major spring stop on the US Chess Grand Prix circuit in the Washington Dulles area. The organizer focuses the event on strong classical chess, a norms-capable Open, and well-supported Under sections that suit both ambitious experts and developing competitors.

• Phone: 1-703-627-5314

• Website: https://capitalareachess.com/CherryBlossom/

🏨 Venue

Executive Conference and Training Center, 22685 Holiday Park Dr, Ste 60, Sterling, VA 20166, United States
The tournament uses a dedicated conference and training setting in Sterling, Virginia. The venue sits in the Washington Dulles corridor, which supports easy access for both local players and out-of-town travelers.

🛎️ Accommodation

Holiday Inn Washington Dulles, 45425 Holiday Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
The organizer lists this hotel as a 3–5 minute walk from the playing site. The hotel offers a chess group rate of $129/night through May 7, 2026, and you should arrange reservations through the official event website information. Phone: 703-471-7411.

🚗 How to Get There

You can fly into Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and use the frequent shuttle service that runs between IAD and the Holiday Inn Washington Dulles. IAD connects by Metro to Union Station/Washington, DC and to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which helps players who prefer rail links or multi-airport travel. If you drive, head to 22685 Holiday Park Dr, Ste 60, Sterling, VA 20166 for the Executive Conference and Training Center.

Bring your best preparation and test it across five days of serious classical chess in the heart of the Dulles corridor.