The 15th Annual Chesapeake Open will take place from January 1–3, 2027, at the Sheraton Baltimore Washington Airport Hotel – BWI in Linthicum Heights, Maryland. Organized by the Maryland Chess Association, the New Year weekend tournament features five rounds, seven rating-based sections, and flexible two-day and three-day schedules.

The Championship, Under 2200, and Under 2000 sections are FIDE rated, while all sections are US Chess rated. Championship through Under 1600 use a classical G/90 +30-second increment on the main schedule. Meanwhile, the U1300 and U1000 sections use shorter time controls and an earlier Sunday finish.

A distinctive feature of the Chesapeake Open is its guaranteed score-based prize system. Instead of dividing fixed place prizes among tied players, each player receives the published award corresponding to their final score. The Championship pays $1,600 for a perfect 5/5, while additional clear-first bonuses are available when no player scores 5/5.

♟️ Event Details

The tournament provides sections for a wide range of playing strengths, from Championship level through U1000. The organizer also supplies tournament equipment and limits the event to 230 players.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The five upper sections use a 30-second increment and classical time controls. Players choosing the two-day schedule play two faster opening games before joining the main schedule for Round 3.

The Championship, U2200, and U2000 sections are FIDE rated.

Players with provisional ratings receive 100 additional rating points for section-eligibility purposes.

🏆 Prize Fund

The Chesapeake Open does not use one fixed overall prize-fund total. Instead, the organizer guarantees individual cash awards based on each player’s final score.

For example, if two players both score 5/5 in the same section, each player receives the full published 5/5 prize. The award is not divided between them.

Championship

The Championship has a minimum US Chess rating of 2000 and is FIDE rated. If the total Championship payout would otherwise be less than $1,500, additional money is added to the highest-scoring prize group until the section payout reaches $1,500.

Clear-first bonus: +$300 when applicable under the organizer’s published rules.

Under 2200

The U2200 section has a minimum US Chess rating of 1900 and is also FIDE rated.

Clear-first bonus: +$200 when applicable.

Under 2000

The U2000 section has a minimum US Chess rating of 1700 and is FIDE rated.

Clear-first bonus: +$150 when applicable.

Under 1800

The U1800 section has a minimum rating of 1500.

Clear-first bonus: +$100 when applicable.

Under 1600

The U1600 section is open to players below 1600 who meet the published minimum-rating requirement or are unrated.

Clear-first bonus: +$100 when applicable.

Under 1300

The U1300 section includes lower-rated and unrated players.

Clear-first bonus: +$50 when applicable.

Under 1000

The U1000 section is available only on the two-day schedule. Adult unrated players are not eligible for this section.

Clear-first bonus: +$50 when applicable.

The U1000 section also awards trophies to the top five finishers and the top U800 player.

Unrated Prize Limits

Cash-prize limits apply to unrated players in the eligible lower sections.

Any balance above an unrated player’s applicable prize limit is redistributed according to the organizer’s published prize rules.

🧩 Sections / Groups

The five highest sections have minimum rating requirements intended to reduce large rating mismatches. The three strongest sections are also submitted for FIDE rating.

Current published or applicable live ratings may be used for section qualification. Peak ratings cannot be used to qualify for a higher section.

Provisional players receive a 100-point adjustment when section eligibility is determined.

🗓️ Schedule

Championship through U1600 offer both three-day and two-day schedules. U1300 also has both options, while U1000 is available only on the two-day schedule.

Championship–U1600: 3-Day Schedule

The full schedule begins Friday evening and uses G/90 +30 throughout all five rounds.

Championship–U1600: 2-Day Schedule

The two-day schedule begins Saturday with two G/45 +30 rounds before moving to the full classical control.

U1300: 3-Day Schedule

The U1300 three-day schedule uses G/75, d5 in every round.

U1300 & U1000: 2-Day Schedule

The lower-section two-day schedule uses G/45, d5 for the first two rounds and G/75, d5 thereafter.

📝 Registration

The standard entry fee applies to Championship through U1600. U1300 and U1000 receive substantial discounts from the standard rate.

Championship–U1600

Under 1300

All standard entry fees are $45 lower.

Under 1000

All standard entry fees are $65 lower.

Grandmasters receive free early entry, with no deduction from prizes.

International Masters receive a $45 entry-fee discount, also with no deduction from prizes.

Players staying at the official tournament hotel receive an additional $5 entry-fee discount.

Official registration:
https://mdchess.com/

👥 Organizer

The tournament is organized by the Maryland Chess Association, with Mike Regan serving as Chief Tournament Director.

📍 Venue

The tournament takes place at the Sheraton Baltimore Washington Airport Hotel – BWI, approximately three miles from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Sheraton Baltimore Washington Airport Hotel – BWI – 1100 Old Elkridge Landing Road, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090, United States

The official tournament hotel rate is $110 per night. Rooms at the chess rate are limited, so early booking is recommended.

Players staying at the tournament hotel receive an additional $5 tournament entry-fee discount.

🚆 How to Get There

The Sheraton is close to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and provides convenient transportation for players arriving by air.

The hotel also offers electric-vehicle charging, subject to availability.

ℹ️ Other Information

Half-point byes are available, but all requested half-point byes must be committed before Round 3.

Re-Entry

Players may re-enter either schedule and use half-point byes for rounds they did not play.

For the two lowest sections, reduced re-entry fees apply.

The organizer’s current page contains an old U1250 reference in the re-entry sentence, but the active 2027 section is U1300.

The organizer provides sets, boards, and clocks for tournament play.

A free continental breakfast is provided on Sunday morning for tournament participants.

Players may choose to receive pairings by text message or email, reducing congestion around the pairing charts.

Electronic scorekeeping devices including ChessNoteR and eNotate are not permitted.

All phones must remain switched off. Players should not carry their phones when leaving the playing room. Phone lockers are available. A ringing phone or leaving or returning to the playing hall while carrying a phone can result in a 30-minute time penalty or half of the player’s remaining time, whichever is less.

Using a phone or another device to affect a game results in forfeiture.

A player who forfeits a round without properly withdrawing must pay a $50 fine before being allowed to participate in another tournament organized by Maryland Chess Association or Baltimore Chess.

Official tournament information:
https://mdchess.com/

US Chess event listing:
https://new.uschess.org/15th-annual-chesapeake-open