10th annual GEORGE WASHINGTON OPEN & Blitz

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10th annual GEORGE WASHINGTON OPEN & Blitz

The 10th annual George Washington Open takes place on February 27 – March 1, 2026 in Dulles, Virginia. This early-spring classic offers a national-class 7‑round Swiss with 3‑Day and 2‑Day schedules that merge to the long control, a guaranteed prize fund, upper sections FIDE‑rated, and a late-night Blitz Championship on Saturday.

📌 Event Details

📅 Dates	February 27 – March 1, 2026 (Fri–Sun). 2‑Day option: February 28 – March 1 (Sat–Sun).
📍 Location	Dulles, Virginia (Washington, DC metro)
🏟️ Venue	Washington Dulles Marriott Hotel, 45020 Aviation Dr, Dulles, VA 20166
🏁 Tournament Type	US Chess Heritage Event · Enhanced Grand Prix (120 pts) · FIDE‑rated top sections
🧩 Tournament System	Swiss System
🔢 Number of Rounds	7
⏱️ Time Control	Long: 40/80, SD/30; d30 (after merge). 2‑Day: Rds 1–2 G/60; d10, then merge.
💰 Prize Fund	$25,000+ guaranteed across all sections + Blitz prizes
🧑‍⚖️ Arbiters	National/International Arbiter team
🏢 Organizer	Continental Chess Association

💰 Prize Fund (Main Event)

Section	Prizes
Championship (Open) — FIDE	$2,500 – $1,300 – $700 – $500 – $300 · Clear 1st +$100 · Top USCF U2300: $1,200 – $600
U2300 (FIDE)	$1,600 – $800 – $400 – $300 – $200
U2100 (FIDE)	$1,600 – $800 – $400 – $300 – $200
U1900 (FIDE)	$1,600 – $800 – $400 – $300 – $200
U1700	$1,400 – $700 – $400 – $300 – $200
U1500	$1,200 – $600 – $400 – $300 – $200
U1250	$1,000 – $500 – $400 – $300 – $200
U1000	$800 – $400 – $250 – $150 – $100
Mixed Doubles Bonus	$800 – $400 – $200 (best male+female team, average U2200)

Unrated prize limits: U1000 $100 · U1250 $200 · U1500 $300 · U1700 $400 · U1900 $500. One prize per player (except Mixed Doubles).

🧩 Sections

Championship (Open) — FIDE‑rated
U2300 — FIDE‑rated
U2100 — FIDE‑rated
U1900 — FIDE‑rated
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.

⏱️ Time Control & Rules

System: 7‑round Swiss.
Long control: 40/80, SD/30; d30 (used by 3‑Day, and 2‑Day after merge).
2‑Day acceleration: Rds 1–2 G/60; d10, then merge to long control from Rd 3.
Byes: Up to 2 half‑point byes available if requested before Rd 2.

📅 Schedules (local time)

3‑Day (Fri–Sun)

Fri (Feb 27): Registration until 6:00 pm · Rd 1 — 7:00 pm
Sat (Feb 28): Rd 2 — 11:00 am · Rd 3 — 5:00 pm
Sun (Mar 1): Rd 4 — 10:00 am · Rd 5 — 3:30 pm · Rd 6 & 7 — as posted → awards

2‑Day (Sat–Sun)

Sat (Feb 28): Registration until 10:00 am · Rd 1 — 11:00 am (G/60; d10) · Rd 2 — 2:00 pm (G/60; d10) · Rd 3 — 5:00 pm (long control after merge)
Sun (Mar 1): Rd 4 — 10:00 am · Rd 5 — 3:30 pm · Rd 6 & 7 — as posted

⚡ Blitz Championship

Date: Sat, Feb 28, 2026 (late evening)
Format: 4 double‑rounds (8 games), Swiss
Time Control: G/3; d2
Entry: on‑site
Prizes: guaranteed blitz purse with overall & class awards

🧾 Entry & Fees

Advance online entry with early‑bird discount; higher later/on‑site (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.
Re‑entry: available (fee applies; not top‑to‑top).
USCF membership required.

🏟️ Venue

Washington Dulles Marriott Hotel, 45020 Aviation Dr, Dulles, VA 20166 — bright ballroom space, skittles areas, on‑site dining, and quick airport access.

🛏️ Accommodation

Special chess rate at the Marriott (limited block) — reserve early.
Nearby overflow hotels available in Dulles corridor.

🚇 How to Get There

By Air: Washington Dulles (IAD), 5–10 mins from venue; ride‑share and shuttle options.
By Metro: Silver Line to Dulles Airport, then ride‑share.
By Car: Access via VA‑28, Dulles Access Rd (VA‑267), connectors to Aviation Dr.

A strong early‑season event in Northern Virginia with national‑class sections, guaranteed prizes, and a lively Saturday blitz — the George Washington Open 2026 combines convenience and competitive chess.