10th annual GEORGE WASHINGTON OPEN & Blitz
The 10th annual George Washington Open takes place on February 27 β March 1, 2026 in Dulles, Virginia. This early-spring classic offers a national-class 7βround Swiss with 3βDay and 2βDay schedules that merge to the long control, a guaranteed prize fund, upper sections FIDEβrated, and a late-night Blitz Championship on Saturday.
π Event Details
| π Dates | February 27 – March 1, 2026 (FriβSun). 2βDay option: February 28 β March 1 (SatβSun). |
| π Location | Dulles, Virginia (Washington, DC metro) |
| ποΈ Venue | Washington Dulles Marriott Hotel, 45020 Aviation Dr, Dulles, VA 20166 |
| π Tournament Type | US Chess Heritage Event Β· Enhanced Grand Prix (120 pts) Β· FIDEβrated top sections |
| 𧩠Tournament System | Swiss System |
| π’ Number of Rounds | 7 |
| β±οΈ Time Control | Long: 40/80, SD/30; d30 (after merge). 2βDay: Rds 1β2 G/60; d10, then merge. |
| π° Prize Fund | $25,000+ guaranteed across all sections + Blitz prizes |
| π§ββοΈ Arbiters | National/International Arbiter team |
| π’ Organizer | Continental Chess Association |
π° Prize Fund (Main Event)
| Section | Prizes |
|---|---|
| Championship (Open) β FIDE | $2,500 β $1,300 β $700 β $500 β $300 Β· Clear 1st +$100 Β· Top USCF U2300: $1,200 β $600 |
| U2300 (FIDE) | $1,600 β $800 β $400 β $300 β $200 |
| U2100 (FIDE) | $1,600 β $800 β $400 β $300 β $200 |
| U1900 (FIDE) | $1,600 β $800 β $400 β $300 β $200 |
| U1700 | $1,400 β $700 β $400 β $300 β $200 |
| U1500 | $1,200 β $600 β $400 β $300 β $200 |
| U1250 | $1,000 β $500 β $400 β $300 β $200 |
| U1000 | $800 β $400 β $250 β $150 β $100 |
| Mixed Doubles Bonus | $800 β $400 β $200 (best male+female team, average U2200) |
Unrated prize limits: U1000 $100 Β· U1250 $200 Β· U1500 $300 Β· U1700 $400 Β· U1900 $500. One prize per player (except Mixed Doubles).
𧩠Sections
- Championship (Open) β FIDEβrated
- U2300 β FIDEβrated
- U2100 β FIDEβrated
- U1900 β FIDEβrated
- U1700
- U1500
- U1250
- U1000
Ratings: February USCF list used. If otherwise unrated, Online Regular/Unofficial may be used. Players may not play below Online Regular minus 100.
β±οΈ Time Control & Rules
- System: 7βround Swiss.
- Long control: 40/80, SD/30; d30 (used by 3βDay, and 2βDay after merge).
- 2βDay acceleration: Rds 1β2 G/60; d10, then merge to long control from Rd 3.
- Byes: Up to 2 halfβpoint byes available if requested before Rd 2.
π Schedules (local time)
3βDay (FriβSun)
- Fri (Feb 27): Registration until 6:00 pm Β· Rd 1 β 7:00 pm
- Sat (Feb 28): Rd 2 β 11:00 am Β· Rd 3 β 5:00 pm
- Sun (Mar 1): Rd 4 β 10:00 am Β· Rd 5 β 3:30 pm Β· Rd 6 & 7 β as posted β awards
2βDay (SatβSun)
- Sat (Feb 28): Registration until 10:00 am Β· Rd 1 β 11:00 am (G/60; d10) Β· Rd 2 β 2:00 pm (G/60; d10) Β· Rd 3 β 5:00 pm (long control after merge)
- Sun (Mar 1): Rd 4 β 10:00 am Β· Rd 5 β 3:30 pm Β· Rd 6 & 7 β as posted
β‘ Blitz Championship
- Date: Sat, Feb 28, 2026 (late evening)
- Format: 4 doubleβrounds (8 games), Swiss
- Time Control: G/3; d2
- Entry: onβsite
- Prizes: guaranteed blitz purse with overall & class awards
π§Ύ Entry & Fees
- Advance online entry with earlyβbird discount; higher later/onβsite (until ~1 hr before Rd 1).
- Lower sections EF: typically $40 less than upper sections at each tier.
- GMs/WGMs/foreign IMs often free with prize deduction policy.
- Refunds: minus small fee; credit cards accepted; no checks.
- Reβentry: available (fee applies; not topβtoβtop).
- USCF membership required.
ποΈ Venue
Washington Dulles Marriott Hotel, 45020 Aviation Dr, Dulles, VA 20166 β bright ballroom space, skittles areas, onβsite dining, and quick airport access.
ποΈ Accommodation
- Special chess rate at the Marriott (limited block) β reserve early.
- Nearby overflow hotels available in Dulles corridor.
π How to Get There
- By Air: Washington Dulles (IAD), 5β10 mins from venue; rideβshare and shuttle options.
- By Metro: Silver Line to Dulles Airport, then rideβshare.
- By Car: Access via VAβ28, Dulles Access Rd (VAβ267), connectors to Aviation Dr.
A strong earlyβseason event in Northern Virginia with nationalβclass sections, guaranteed prizes, and a lively Saturday blitz β the George Washington Open 2026 combines convenience and competitive chess.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
