2026 Georgia Open & Amateur Championship
The 2026 Georgia Open & Amateur Championship takes place from November 20–22, 2026, at the Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Dunwoody in Chamblee, Georgia. The event offers a guaranteed $6,000 prize fund and awards 40 US Chess Grand Prix points.
Players can choose between a three-day schedule beginning Friday evening and a two-day schedule beginning Saturday morning. The main championship includes Open and Amateur competition, while a separate Scholastic event runs during the same weekend.
The Open Section is FIDE rated, while the tournament as a whole also counts for US Chess rating. In addition, Georgia residents must hold a current Georgia Chess Association membership.
♟️ Event Details
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | 2026 Georgia Open & Amateur Championship |
| 📅 Dates | November 20–22, 2026 |
| 🌎 Country | United States |
| 📍 Location | Chamblee, Georgia |
| 🏨 Venue | Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Dunwoody |
| ♟️ Format | 5-round Swiss |
| 🧩 Sections | Open, Amateur, Scholastic |
| 🗓️ Schedules | 3-day and 2-day options |
| ⭐ Rating | US Chess rated; Open Section also FIDE rated |
| 💰 Prize Fund | $6,000 guaranteed |
| 🏅 Grand Prix | 40 US Chess Grand Prix points |
| 👥 Organizer | Georgia Chess Association |
| 👤 Tournament Director / Contact | Charles W. Hatherill |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The main Open and Amateur sections use a five-round Swiss system.
Players who choose the three-day schedule play all five rounds at the standard championship time control. Meanwhile, two-day participants play their first two Saturday rounds at a faster rate before joining the common schedule.
| Schedule / Rounds | Time Control | Rating Status |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Schedule | G/90; d30 | US Chess; Open also FIDE |
| 2-Day – First 2 Saturday Rounds | G/60; d5 | US Chess only |
| Remaining 2-Day Rounds | G/90; d30 | US Chess; Open also FIDE |
Therefore, the first two faster rounds in the two-day schedule do not count for FIDE rating.
Byes
Players may request up to two half-point byes during Rounds 1–5.
However, all half-point bye requests must be submitted before Round 2.
Zero-point byes are available in any round. Players should request them no later than 30 minutes before the following round.
🏆 Prize Fund
The tournament guarantees a $6,000 total prize fund.
Open Section
| Prize Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $1,200 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $600 |
| Top 2000–2199 | $600 |
| Top 1800–1999 | $600 |
| Top Under 1800 | $600 |
The Open Section therefore offers $3,600 in guaranteed cash prizes.
Amateur Section
| Prize Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $800 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $400 |
| Top 1200–1399 | $300 |
| Top 1000–1199 | $300 |
| Top Under 1000 | $300 |
The Amateur Section offers $2,100 in guaranteed cash prizes.
In addition, the highest-finishing Georgia residents in the published Amateur prize categories can earn Georgia titles and trophies.
Scholastic Awards
The companion Scholastic tournament includes U1200, U900 and U600 sections.
Each section awards:
| Place | Cash Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | $50 |
| 🥈 2nd | $30 |
| 🥉 3rd | $20 |
The top three players also receive trophies. In addition, the top unrated player receives recognition, while all other participants receive medals.
🧩 Sections / Groups
♟️ Open
The Open Section is available to all current US Chess members.
It is also the FIDE-rated section of the championship. Therefore, players who want FIDE-rated classical games should enter the Open.
Georgia residents must also hold a current Georgia Chess Association membership.
♟️ Amateur
The Amateur Section is open to players with an official US Chess rating below 1600.
Players without an official US Chess rating may enter. However, unrated players can win place prizes only rather than rating-category prizes.
🎓 Scholastic
The companion Scholastic tournament has three rating groups:
- U1200
- U900
- U600
It uses a separate registration form and runs from November 21–22, 2026.
📅 Schedule
3-Day Schedule
| Date | Time | Round |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, November 20 | 7:00 PM | Round 1 |
| Saturday, November 21 | 11:00 AM | Round 2 |
| Saturday, November 21 | 5:00 PM | Round 3 |
| Sunday, November 22 | 10:00 AM | Round 4 |
| Sunday, November 22 | 2:30 PM | Round 5 |
Friday registration closes at 6:00 PM.
2-Day Schedule
| Date | Time | Round |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, November 21 | 11:00 AM | Round 1 |
| Saturday, November 21 | 2:00 PM | Round 2 |
| Saturday, November 21 | 5:00 PM | Round 3 |
| Sunday, November 22 | 10:00 AM | Round 4 |
| Sunday, November 22 | 2:30 PM | Round 5 |
The first two Saturday rounds use G/60; d5. After that, the schedule changes to G/90; d30.
Scholastic Schedule
| Date | Time | Round |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, November 21 | 11:00 AM | Round 1 |
| Saturday, November 21 | 2:00 PM | Round 2 |
| Saturday, November 21 | 5:00 PM | Round 3 |
| Sunday, November 22 | 10:00 AM | Round 4 |
| Sunday, November 22 | 1:00 PM | Round 5 |
The Scholastic tournament uses G/60; d5 for all five rounds.
📝 Registration
A current US Chess membership is required.
Georgia residents must also hold a current Georgia Chess Association membership.
Open & Amateur Entry Fees
| Registration Period | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Early Registration | $120 |
| November 11–17 | $140 |
| November 18 until November 21 registration deadline | $160 |
Georgia residents receive a $10 refund at the tournament site.
Re-entry costs $60.
GMs, WGMs, IMs and WIMs may enter free of charge. However, the organizer deducts $100 from any cash prize won by a titled player using the free-entry option.
On-site registration is available:
- Friday until 6:00 PM
- Saturday morning before the 2-day schedule
Open & Amateur Registration:
https://www.chessregister.com/register?event_key=MmOBvAo4AoVBOPNSrJFcf81V04Ucuw73-2nkGVypuPY%3D
Scholastic Entry Fees
| Registration Period | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| By November 10 | $50 |
| November 11–17 | $70 |
| November 18 until registration closes | $90 |
Scholastic Registration:
https://www.chessregister.com/register?event_key=WHyqWPA-E1zu6m3nYYY39s1V04Ucuw73-2nkGVypuPY%3D
👥 Organizer
| Contact | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Georgia Chess Association |
| Contact Person | Charles W. Hatherill |
| kingsgambit50@gmail.com | |
| Phone | +1 702-743-0305 |
📍 Venue
Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Dunwoody – 4401 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Chamblee, GA 30341, United States
The hotel sits near I-285 in the Atlanta Perimeter area. Moreover, it provides meeting facilities suitable for a large chess championship.
Hotel amenities include an indoor pool, fitness center and an on-site restaurant.
Complimentary on-site parking is available for hotel guests.
🚆 How to Get There
| Travel Option | Route / Distance | Information |
|---|---|---|
| 🚗 By Car | 4401 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Chamblee, GA 30341, United States | The hotel is close to I-285 and provides complimentary on-site parking. |
| ✈️ Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) | Approx. 25.2 miles | ATL is the principal international airport serving Atlanta. Continue by rental car, taxi or rideshare. |
| 🚇 MARTA | Doraville MARTA Station | Marriott lists Doraville as the nearby subway station. A taxi or rideshare can complete the journey to the hotel. |
| 🚆 Rail | Atlanta Amtrak Station | Marriott lists Atlanta’s Amtrak station among the nearby intercity transport options. |
The hotel does not provide an airport shuttle.
ℹ️ Other Information
🏅 Georgia Titles
The tournament is open to players from outside Georgia. However, Georgia residents must maintain GCA membership.
The Amateur Section also awards titles and trophies to the highest-finishing eligible Georgia players in the published categories.
⭐ FIDE Rating
The Open Section is FIDE rated.
However, the first two faster games in the two-day schedule use G/60; d5 and do not count for FIDE rating.
Therefore, players seeking a fully FIDE-rated schedule should choose the three-day Open schedule.
🎓 Scholastic Companion Event
The Scholastic tournament runs alongside the main event from November 21–22.
It uses separate registration and includes U1200, U900 and U600 competition. Moreover, all participants who do not win a trophy receive a medal.
♟️ Equipment
The Georgia Chess Association supplies chess sets and boards.
Players must bring their own chess clocks.
🔁 Re-Entry
Main-event players may re-enter for $60.
The Scholastic event also permits re-entry from the Open for $50.
🔗 Official Links
US Chess Tournament Page:
https://new.uschess.org/2026-georgia-open-amateur-championship
Georgia Chess Association:
https://www.georgiachess.org/
Open & Amateur Registration:
https://www.chessregister.com/register?event_key=MmOBvAo4AoVBOPNSrJFcf81V04Ucuw73-2nkGVypuPY%3D
Scholastic Tournament Page:
https://new.uschess.org/2026-georgia-opens-scholastic-tournament
Scholastic Registration:
https://www.chessregister.com/register?event_key=WHyqWPA-E1zu6m3nYYY39s1V04Ucuw73-2nkGVypuPY%3D
Venue – Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Dunwoody:
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/atlyn-courtyard-atlanta-dunwoody/overview/
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $6,000
Organizer
♟️ About Georgia Chess Association
Georgia Chess Association (GCA) is the official US Chess state affiliate for Georgia, United States. Founded in 1967, the nonprofit organization promotes and supports chess throughout the state. GCA serves players of all ages and playing strengths, from beginners and scholastic competitors to experienced tournament players and titled professionals.
The association organizes and sanctions US Chess-rated tournaments, state championships, scholastic competitions, senior events, team championships, and open tournaments. In addition, GCA maintains Georgia’s tournament calendar, historical championship records, club resources, and player-development pathways. Its scholastic program connects public, private, homeschool, and independent-study students with qualifiers and state championship competition.
Keith Sewell serves as President of the Georgia Chess Association. Meanwhile, Charles Hatherill handles Open Events and serves on the Tournament Director Committee. He is also the operational organizer for the 2026 Georgia Open & Amateur Championship, scheduled for November 20–22 in the Atlanta area. GCA has maintained a particularly active 2026 calendar with state, senior, scholastic, team, class, and open championships.
📜 Statewide Role and Development
Georgia Chess Association has served as the state’s central organized chess body for decades. As the official US Chess affiliate, it links Georgia players and organizers with the national rating and tournament system.
The association supports rated competition throughout the state. Moreover, it helps tournament directors promote events through the statewide calendar and provides guidance on sanctioning, ratings, equipment, pairing software, and tournament administration.
GCA also preserves Georgia chess history. Its website maintains records of state champions, senior champions, scholastic achievements, collegiate team champions, and Hall of Fame inductees.
🏆 Georgia State Championships
State championship competition is one of GCA’s principal responsibilities. The association organizes annual events for several playing levels rather than limiting the program to one elite section.
The 2026 Phillip O’Neal Taylor Georgia State Championship took place from April 10–12, 2026 in Chamblee. It offered a guaranteed $10,000 prize fund and six sections, including Championship, Amateur, Reserve, Booster, Minor, and Scholastic.
The Championship section was FIDE-rated. Ethan Sheehan successfully repeated as Georgia State Champion in 2026, continuing his position among the state’s leading competitive players.
🎓 Scholastic and Team Chess
Scholastic chess is another major part of GCA’s work. The association supports school chess from elementary level through high school and provides both individual and team competition.
In March 2026, the Metro Atlanta K–8 Team State Qualifier attracted 378 registered players. The competition included K–3, K–5, and middle-school sections.
The annual Georgia K–12 Team State Championship followed in April. It welcomed qualified Metro Atlanta teams as well as eligible schools from other parts of Georgia.
Through these programs, GCA gives young players a clear pathway from school chess to US Chess-rated competition and state championship events.
⚡ Competitive Chess in 2026
GCA’s 2026 calendar also includes senior and class championships. The Georgia Senior Open Chess Championship took place on May 30–31 in Roswell and provided a qualification pathway toward the national John T. Irwin Tournament of Senior State Champions.
The 2026 Thad Rogers Memorial Georgia Class Championships are scheduled for October 16–18 in Dunwoody. This event brings together players in rating-based sections and forms another important part of GCA’s state championship structure.
In addition, the association promotes regular rated weekend tournaments, rapid and blitz events, club competitions, and local events across Georgia.
🌟 2026 Georgia Open & Amateur Championship
The 2026 Georgia Open & Amateur Championship is scheduled for November 20–22, 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Dunwoody.
Georgia Chess Association is the official organizer. Charles W. Hatherill serves as the operational organizer and tournament contact.
The event will use a five-round Swiss system and includes Open and Amateur competition, together with a scholastic section. The main Open section is FIDE-rated.
The tournament advertises a $6,000 guaranteed prize fund and carries 40 US Chess Grand Prix points. GCA will also supply chess sets and boards for participants.
🏛️ Organization and Leadership
Georgia Chess Association operates through an elected volunteer Board of Directors.
Keith Sewell serves as President. Mohua Maity is First Vice President, while Anna Baumstark serves as Second Vice President. Pramod Sathe is Treasurer, and Jessica Walling serves as Secretary.
For tournament activity, Charles Hatherill leads the Open Events committee and also serves on the Tournament Director Committee. Therefore, he is the most useful operational contact for major GCA open events.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
