The 11th Annual George Washington Open will take place from February 26–28, 2027, at the Washington Dulles Airport Marriott in Dulles, Virginia. Organized by Continental Chess Association, the tournament offers a $17,000 guaranteed prize fund, five rating-based sections, and 120 Enhanced US Chess Grand Prix points.
Players may choose either a 3-Day schedule beginning Friday evening or a 2-Day schedule beginning Saturday morning. The 3-Day schedule uses the full classical time control throughout. Meanwhile, players choosing the 2-Day option play two accelerated rounds before merging with the main schedule for Round 3 on Saturday afternoon.
The Major and Under 2100 sections are FIDE rated, while the remaining three sections are US Chess rated. In addition to the main section prizes, players can compete for rating-category awards and $1,000 in Mixed Doubles bonus prizes.
♟️ Event Details
The George Washington Open is a five-round Swiss tournament with sections ranging from Major to Under 1200. February official US Chess ratings are used, while applicable unofficial and US Chess Online Regular ratings may also be considered under Continental Chess rules.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| 🏷️ Title | 11th Annual George Washington Open |
| 📅 Dates | February 26–28, 2027 |
| 🌎 Country | United States |
| 📍 City | Dulles, Virginia |
| 🏨 Venue | Washington Dulles Airport Marriott |
| 👥 Organizer | Continental Chess Association |
| ♟️ Format | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 |
| 🧩 Sections | 5 |
| 🗓️ Schedules | 3-Day or 2-Day |
| ⭐ FIDE Rated | Major and Under 2100 |
| 🏆 Grand Prix | 120 Enhanced US Chess Grand Prix Points |
| 💰 Prize Fund | $17,000 guaranteed |
| ♿ Accessibility | Handicap accessible |
| 🏠 Residency Restriction | None |
| 🌐 Event Type | Over-the-board |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The main tournament schedule uses a two-stage classical time control. The accelerated 2-Day option uses a shorter control only for the first two rounds before both schedules merge.
| Schedule / Rounds | Time Control |
|---|---|
| 3-Day Schedule – All Rounds | 40/80, SD/30; d30 |
| 2-Day Schedule – Rounds 1–2 | G/60; d10 |
| 2-Day Schedule – Rounds 3–5 | 40/80, SD/30; d30 |
With 40/80, SD/30; d30, each player receives 80 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by an additional 30 minutes for the remainder of the game, with a 30-second delay from move one.
The 2-Day and 3-Day schedules merge for Round 3 at 5:00 PM on Saturday.
February official US Chess ratings are used. If a player is otherwise unrated, applicable unofficial US Chess or US Chess Online Regular ratings may be used.
Players cannot enter a section below their US Chess Online Regular rating minus 100 points.
🏆 Prize Fund
The tournament offers a $17,000 guaranteed prize fund. Awards include overall prizes, rating-category prizes, a Major-section victory bonus, and $1,000 in Mixed Doubles bonus prizes.
Major
The Major section is open to players rated 1900 or higher and is FIDE rated.
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $2,000 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $1,000 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | $600 |
| 4th Place | $400 |
| 🏆 Clear / Tiebreak Win Bonus | $100 |
| 🎯 Top U2300 – 1st | $600 |
| 🎯 Top U2300 – 2nd | $300 |
Under 2100
The Under 2100 section is also FIDE rated and includes additional U1900 awards.
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $1,300 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $700 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | $400 |
| 4th Place | $200 |
| 🎯 Top U1900 – 1st | $600 |
| 🎯 Top U1900 – 2nd | $300 |
The U1900 prizes are not available to unrated players.
Under 1800
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $1,200 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $600 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | $300 |
| 4th Place | $200 |
| 🎯 Top U1600 – 1st | $500 |
| 🎯 Top U1600 – 2nd | $250 |
The U1600 prizes are not available to unrated players.
Under 1500
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $1,000 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $500 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | $300 |
| 4th Place | $150 |
| 🎯 Top U1300 – 1st | $400 |
| 🎯 Top U1300 – 2nd | $200 |
The U1300 prizes are not available to unrated players.
Under 1200
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $700 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $400 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | $300 |
| 4th Place | $200 |
| 🎯 Top U1000 – 1st | $200 |
| 🎯 Top U1000 – 2nd | $100 |
The U1000 prizes are not available to unrated players.
Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes
Players from any section may form a two-player male + female Mixed Doubles team. Team members may compete in different sections and may also choose different tournament schedules.
| Place | Team Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Team | $500 |
| 🥈 2nd Team | $300 |
| 🥉 3rd Team | $200 |
The team’s average rating must be under 2200. There is no additional entry fee, but teams must register by 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 27.
Unrated Prize Limits
Unrated players may compete in the applicable sections, but maximum prize limits apply.
| Section | Maximum Prize for Unrated Player |
|---|---|
| Under 1800 | $400 |
| Under 1500 | $200 |
| Under 1200 | $100 |
🧩 Sections / Groups
Five rating-based sections give players several competitive levels. The Major and Under 2100 sections are submitted for FIDE rating.
| Section | Eligibility / Rating |
|---|---|
| Major | Open to players rated 1900+; FIDE rated |
| Under 2100 | Under 2100; FIDE rated |
| Under 1800 | Under 1800 |
| Under 1500 | Under 1500 |
| Under 1200 | Under 1200 |
The Major section has a 1900 minimum rating requirement. Continental Chess also references its published peak-rating rules for players seeking eligibility for sections with minimum ratings.
Players may not compete below a section permitted by their applicable US Chess Online Regular rating minus 100 points.
🗓️ Schedule
The tournament offers separate 3-Day and 2-Day schedules. Both groups merge for Round 3 on Saturday at 5:00 PM and then follow the same Sunday schedule.
3-Day Schedule
| Date | Stage | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, February 26 | Registration Deadline | 6:00 PM |
| Friday, February 26 | Round 1 | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, February 27 | Round 2 | 11:00 AM |
| Saturday, February 27 | Round 3 | 5:00 PM |
| Sunday, February 28 | Round 4 | 10:00 AM |
| Sunday, February 28 | Round 5 | 3:30 PM |
2-Day Schedule
| Date | Stage | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, February 27 | Registration Deadline | 10:00 AM |
| Saturday, February 27 | Round 1 | 11:00 AM |
| Saturday, February 27 | Round 2 | 2:00 PM |
| Saturday, February 27 | Round 3 | 5:00 PM |
| Sunday, February 28 | Round 4 | 10:00 AM |
| Sunday, February 28 | Round 5 | 3:30 PM |
A separate Blitz Tournament is scheduled for Saturday at 9:30 PM. Players can enter onsite until approximately 9:10 PM.
📝 Registration
Entry fees depend on both the section and registration date. The Under 1200 section costs $20 less than the top four sections at every registration stage.
Major, U2100, U1800 & U1500
| Registration Period | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| By February 5, 2027 | $125 |
| February 6–23, 2027 | $140 |
| After February 23 / At Site | $155 |
Under 1200
| Registration Period | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| By February 5, 2027 | $105 |
| February 6–23, 2027 | $120 |
| After February 23 / At Site | $135 |
Players receive an additional $10 entry-fee discount if they register online by February 5 and provide their Washington Dulles Marriott chess-rate hotel confirmation number during registration. The published discount code is HOTEL.
Late online or onsite registration is accepted until one hour before the player’s first round. Credit cards are accepted onsite, while checks are not accepted.
GMs, IMs, and WGMs may enter the Major section free, with $100 deducted from any prize they win.
Re-entry costs $60. However, Major-to-Major re-entry is not permitted.
No mail entries are accepted.
Refunds are subject to a $15 service charge.
Online registration:
https://www.chessaction.com/
👥 Organizer
The tournament is organized by Continental Chess Association, which runs major open chess events across the United States.
| Contact | |
|---|---|
| 👥 Organizer Name | Continental Chess Association |
| ✉️ Email | Director@Chess.US |
Official organizer website:
https://www.chesstour.com/
📍 Venue
The tournament takes place at the Washington Dulles Airport Marriott, located directly on the grounds of Washington Dulles International Airport.
Washington Dulles Airport Marriott – 45020 Aviation Dr, Dulles, VA 20166, United States
The official tournament hotel rate is $135 per night for single or double occupancy.
Players should reserve by February 4, 2027. After that deadline, the chess rate may increase or the tournament room allocation may no longer be available.
Players booking by telephone should mention the Chess Rate.
Hotel phone: +1 703-471-9500
🚆 How to Get There
The Washington Dulles Airport Marriott is particularly convenient for players traveling by air because it is located directly at Washington Dulles International Airport.
| Transport | Details |
|---|---|
| ✈️ Washington Dulles International Airport | Hotel located on airport grounds |
| 🚌 Airport Shuttle | Complimentary hotel shuttle |
| 🚇 Metro Connection | Complimentary transportation to the Metro subway |
| 🚗 Car | Access via Aviation Drive |
| 🅿️ Daytime Chess Parking | Free |
| 🅿️ Overnight Chess Parking | $5 per night |
The free airport and Metro transportation can also make the venue practical for players arriving without a rental car.
ℹ️ Other Information
Players may request up to two half-point byes. Byes are available in any round, but players must commit to them before Round 2 begins.
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| 💤 Half-Point Byes | Maximum 2 |
| ⏰ Bye Commitment Deadline | Before Round 2 |
| 🔄 Re-Entry | $60 |
| 🚫 Major-to-Major Re-Entry | Not permitted |
| 💳 Refund Service Charge | $15 |
| 🏆 Mixed Doubles Registration Deadline | Saturday at 2:00 PM |
February official US Chess ratings determine section placement. However, applicable unofficial or US Chess Online Regular ratings may be used when a player would otherwise be unrated.
Prizes that are not collected at the tournament are normally paid through PayPal and may take approximately three weeks to process.
The organizer also publishes tournament entry lists through ChessAction. Players can check the entry list after registering.
Official tournament information:
https://new.uschess.org/11th-annual-george-washington-open
Official organizer website:
https://www.chesstour.com/
Continental Chess schedule:
https://chessevents.com/schedule
Online registration:
https://www.chessaction.com/
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $17,000
Organizer
♟️ About Continental Chess Association
Continental Chess Association (CCA) is a national chess tournament organization in the United States. Founded by FM William “Bill” Goichberg in 1964, it began as the New York City Chess Association before expanding nationally and adopting the Continental Chess Association name in 1968. CCA is not a membership organization; instead, it operates as a US Chess-affiliated tournament organizer and runs rated events for players ranging from beginners and scholastic competitors to Grandmasters.
CCA organizes a large nationwide calendar of classical, rapid, blitz, scholastic, amateur, and championship events. Its signature tournaments include the World Open, Chicago Open, North American Open, National Chess Congress, Atlantic Open, Eastern Chess Congress, New York State Championship, Los Angeles Open, and several class championships. Many events use multiple rating sections so that players compete primarily against opponents of comparable strength. In addition, selected sections receive FIDE rating and provide opportunities for GM and IM norms.
CCA entered an important new chapter in August 2026 following the death of its founder, Bill Goichberg, on August 2, 2026, at age 83. In his later years, Goichberg transferred operational authority to the trustees of Continental Chess Incorporated: Bill Buklis, David Hater, Charles Hatherill, Steve Immitt, and Bob Messenger. The trustees had already been overseeing the organization and have confirmed that CCA will continue operating without interruption. Steve Immitt, a long-serving National Tournament Director and current CCA trustee, remains one of the organization’s principal tournament officials and public operational contacts.
📜 History and Development
Bill Goichberg founded the organization in 1964 to run chess tournaments in the New York City area. In 1968, its activities expanded beyond New York and the organization became the Continental Chess Association.
CCA subsequently developed into one of the most prolific tournament organizers in American chess. Its official historical record states that it has organized more than 2,300 tournaments across 28 states, Washington, DC, and the Bahamas, while awarding more than $24 million in prize money.
The organization also introduced several concepts that later became standard features of American tournament chess. In 1966, CCA pioneered US Chess-rated scholastic tournaments. In 1969, it introduced rated four-player Quad tournaments and created the National High School Championship.
CCA later established the National Junior High Championship, National Elementary Championship, and National Scholastic K–12 Grade Championship before those events became part of the US Chess national program.
🏆 World Open
The World Open is CCA’s flagship tournament and has been held since 1973. Over several decades, it has become one of the best-known large open tournaments in the United States.
The 54th Annual World Open took place from July 1–5, 2026 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. The principal tournament offered six sections from Open through Under 1400, with additional lower-rated and side events surrounding the main competition.
The 2026 World Open offered a $208,000 guaranteed prize fund for its main sections. The Open, U2200, and U2000 groups were FIDE-rated, while the Open also offered potential GM and IM norms.
The broader World Open festival included junior, women’s, senior amateur, blitz, action, and other side competitions, continuing CCA’s traditional model of creating a large multi-event chess festival around its flagship tournament.
♜ National Tournament Program
CCA’s calendar extends across several regions of the United States and includes both major festivals and compact weekend tournaments.
The 58th Annual Atlantic Open concluded in Virginia Beach on August 30, 2026. The next major event is the 148th New York State Championship, scheduled for September 4–7, 2026 at the Albany Marriott. The championship carries a $18,000 guaranteed prize fund and is recognized by US Chess as a Heritage Event.
The autumn calendar continues with the Midwest Class Championships on October 9–11, Eastern Class Championships on October 16–18, Eastern Chess Congress on October 23–25, and Los Angeles Open on November 6–8.
During Thanksgiving weekend, CCA will organize the 57th National Chess Congress from November 27–29, 2026 in Philadelphia. That event offers a $45,250 guaranteed prize fund across ten sections.
🌟 North American Open
CCA closes the year with one of its largest tournaments, the North American Open, held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 36th North American Open is scheduled for December 26–30, 2026 at Horseshoe Casino Resort on the Las Vegas Strip.
The tournament offers $130,000 in guaranteed prizes across eight sections. The Open section consists of nine rounds and is FIDE-rated, with GM and IM norms possible. The U2300 and U2100 sections are also FIDE-rated.
CCA offers several schedule options for lower sections, allowing players to choose between longer and more compressed tournament formats. This flexible scheduling system has become characteristic of many Continental Chess events.
🏛️ Organization and Legacy
Bill Goichberg shaped Continental Chess Association for more than six decades. Beyond his CCA work, he served in several senior roles within US Chess, including Executive Director and President, and was inducted into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame in 2018.
Following his death in August 2026, CCA publicly confirmed that its tournament operation would continue according to his wishes. The existing trustees — Bill Buklis, David Hater, Charles Hatherill, Steve Immitt, and Bob Messenger — now provide organizational continuity.
CCA continues to use experienced National and Senior Tournament Directors across its events. Its central tournament email also reaches the organization’s chief directors, providing players with a common contact point for entries, schedule changes, tournament questions, and other operational matters.
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