The 54th Annual World Open, Under 1200 and Under 1000 Sections runs on June 26-28, 2026 in Washington, DC, United States, delivering a full 9-round Swiss weekend for class and improving players inside the World Open venue. You compete in a clear rating-based section, play every round at a steady pace, and chase a $17,000 guaranteed cash prize pool. The schedule packs three rounds each day, which makes it ideal for players who want maximum chess in a single weekend without a long weeklong stay.
This lower-section companion event connects directly to the World Open festival and keeps the focus on competitive, practical chess with consistent start times and straightforward entry options. The organizer also adds Mixed Doubles bonus prizes that reward strong combined results across both sections, so friends and families can team up without changing their individual section choice. Bring your own equipment if possible, plan your byes in advance, and enjoy a high-energy tournament weekend in one of Washington’s best-known hotel venues.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | June 26-28, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Washington, DC, United States |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss (9-SS) |
| ⭐ Rating | USCF; section eligibility uses the June 2026 USCF official list (the organizer may use USCF unofficial or USCF Online Regular rating when needed) |
| 📂 Sections | Under 1200, Under 1000 |
| ⏱️ Time control | G/60 + 10-second increment (d10) |
| 💳 Entry fee | Under 1200: $218–$250; Under 1000: $118–$150 (see deadlines in Registration) |
| 💰 Prize fund | $17,000 guaranteed (cash) |
| 👤 Eligibility | You must meet section rating limits; you cannot play below your USCF Online Regular Rating minus 100 points |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | The organizer runs valet parking at a $45/day chess rate and posts entries at chessaction.com after you enter |
🏆 Prize Fund
| Under 1200 Place | Cash Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $4,000 |
| 2nd | $2,000 |
| 3rd | $1,000 |
| 4th | $800 |
| 5th | $600 |
| 6th | $500 |
| 7th | $400 |
| 8th | $300 |
| 9th | $300 |
| 10th | $300 |
| Under 1000 Place | Cash Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $2,000 |
| 2nd | $1,000 |
| 3rd | $700 |
| 4th | $500 |
| 5th | $400 |
| 6th | $300 |
| 7th | $300 |
| 8th | $200 |
| 9th | $200 |
| 10th | $200 |
| Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes (U1000 + U1200 combined team score) | Cash Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $500 |
| 2nd | $300 |
| 3rd | $200 |
The organizer applies prize limits based on rating history and experience. If any post-event Regular OTB or Regular Online rating posted from 6/24/2025 to 6/24/2026, or your current Online Regular rating, exceeds the section maximum by more than 40 points, the organizer limits your prize to $1,000. Players with fewer than 26 lifetime games rated as of the June 2026 official list can win up to $500 in Under 1000 and up to $1,000 in Under 1200, and games rated too late for the June official list do not count toward the 26-game total. The organizer limits unrated prizes to $200 in Under 1000 and $400 in Under 1200, and it moves the balance of any limited prize to the next eligible player(s) in line. For Mixed Doubles, both players may play in different sections, teams must include at least one rated player, teams including an unrated player cap at $300, and other prize limits do not apply to Mixed Doubles team prizes. The organizer usually pays prizes not claimed on site through PayPal and may take around three weeks.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a 9-round Swiss system and a single time control in both sections: G/60 with a 10-second increment. The organizer bases section eligibility on the June 2026 USCF official rating list, and it may use USCF unofficial ratings or USCF Online Regular ratings when a player lacks an established regular rating.
You may request half-point byes in any round, but you must stay within the limit of three byes total and no more than two byes in the last four rounds. The organizer requires you to commit to byes before Round 4 starts. The organizer offers a $100 re-entry option in the same section, and it does not allow re-entry into Under 1400 or above.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | Players under 1200 by section rules | The organizer uses the June 2026 USCF official list and may reference USCF Online Regular ratings when needed |
| Under 1000 | Players under 1000 by section rules | You cannot play below your USCF Online Regular Rating minus 100 points |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 26, 2026 | Friday | 1:00 PM | Round 1 |
| June 26, 2026 | Friday | 4:00 PM | Round 2 |
| June 26, 2026 | Friday | 7:00 PM | Round 3 |
| June 27, 2026 | Saturday | 11:00 AM | Round 4 |
| June 27, 2026 | Saturday | 2:00 PM | Round 5 |
| June 27, 2026 | Saturday | 5:00 PM | Round 6 |
| June 27, 2026 | Saturday | 9:30 PM | Blitz tournament (optional) |
| June 28, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 AM | Round 7 |
| June 28, 2026 | Sunday | 1:00 PM | Round 8 |
| June 28, 2026 | Sunday | 4:00 PM | Round 9 |
📝 Registration
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Enter online at https://chessaction.com |
| Entry fee (Under 1200) | $218 by May 15, 2026; $228 by June 23, 2026; $250 at site or online until Noon on June 26, 2026 |
| Entry fee (Under 1000) | $118 by May 15, 2026; $128 by June 23, 2026; $150 at site or online until Noon on June 26, 2026 |
| Payment | The organizer does not accept checks; it accepts credit cards |
| Re-entry | $100 re-entry in the same section; no re-entry into Under 1400 or above |
| Playing up separately | Under 1200 and Under 1000 players may also enter Under 1400 or above as a separate entry, but not as a re-entry |
| Mixed Doubles signup | Register as a team (no extra fee) before both players begin Round 2; teams may play in different sections |
| Byes | Half-point byes allowed in all rounds; limit 3 total and limit 2 in the last 4 rounds; commit before Round 4 |
| Refunds | The organizer charges a $15 service fee for refunds |
| Entries & payout | The organizer posts entries at https://chessaction.com (use “entry list” after entering) and usually pays unclaimed prizes through PayPal |
| Equipment | Bring your set, board, and clock if possible; the organizer supplies none |
| US Chess membership option | The organizer offers special 1-year USCF dues with magazine when you pay online with entry; see https://chessevents.us |
| Blitz entry | The blitz starts Saturday at 9:30 PM; enter on site Saturday by 9:10 PM |
👥 Organizer
Continental Chess runs this World Open companion event for the Under 1200 and Under 1000 sections, combining a packed 9-round weekend schedule with rating-based sections and a guaranteed prize structure. The organizer posts entries online, supports optional re-entry within the same section, and coordinates hotel and travel options for players who want to stay on site for the full festival experience.
Email: director@chess.us
Website: https://www.chesstour.com/
🏨 Venue
Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
The tournament takes place inside the Omni Shoreham Hotel, a major Washington, DC event hotel near Rock Creek Park. You can reach the hotel easily from the Woodley Park/Zoo Metro station, which sits about a block away. The venue supports a full weekend chess schedule under one roof, which makes it convenient for players who want to focus on play and recovery between rounds.
🛎️ Accommodation
The organizer lists a chess block hotel rate of $164 per night at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. Use the hotel reservation link at https://chessevents.us or call 202-234-0700 and mention Chess. Reserve early because the chess block may sell out by early June or earlier.
🚗 How to Get There
You can fly into the Washington, DC area and travel to the Omni Shoreham by rideshare, taxi, or Metro. The Omni Shoreham sits about one block from the Woodley Park/Zoo Metro station on the Red Line, which helps you connect from Union Station and central Washington without a car. If you drive, the organizer offers valet parking at a $45/day chess rate and lists additional offsite parking options at https://chessevents.us. The organizer also lists special car rental rates through Avis at 800-331-1600 (AWD #D657633) or online through https://www.chesstour.com/.
Make June 2026 your chess weekend in Washington, DC and play nine serious rounds with a clear class section and a guaranteed prize target.
🧾 Other
Players may not possess cellphones during play; see https://devicerules.com
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $17,000
Organizer
Founded by Bill Goichberg in the 1960s, the Continental Chess Association is one of the most established chess tournament organizers in the United States. CCA runs a nationwide calendar of FIDE-rated and US Chess-rated events for all levels—open, rapid, and blitz—with professional arbiters, clear sections by rating, and player-friendly schedules. Its flagship festivals consistently draw large, competitive fields and provide reliable opportunities for rating progress and title norms, making CCA a reference point for US chess tournaments.
CCA is best known for the World Open (Philadelphia, every July), the Chicago Open (Memorial Day weekend), and the Continental Open (Massachusetts in August). These American classics combine deep prize funds, multiple sections, and smooth logistics—appealing to ambitious juniors, adult improvers, and grandmasters alike. For players seeking professionally managed open chess events in the USA, CCA delivers a proven blend of scale, fairness, and organization.