The Rivanna Open 2026 takes place from November 13–15, 2026 at the Comfort Inn Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia. Charlottesville Chess Club organizes a five-round classical weekend with Championship, Under 1600 and Under 1000/Unrated sections.
All sections use G/90 + 30-second increment and share the same Friday-to-Sunday schedule. The organizer advertises a $4,000 prize fund based on 80 entries, so the final fund is participation-dependent rather than fully guaranteed.
The event provides an official hotel rate, complete playing equipment and online registration through Caissa Chess. Its compact three-section structure gives experienced, club-level and newer players distinct competition bands while keeping everyone at one venue.
📌 Event Details
| 🏆 Tournament | Rivanna Open 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | November 13–15, 2026 |
| 🌍 Location | Charlottesville, Virginia, United States |
| 📍 Venue | Comfort Inn Monticello – 2097 Inn Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22911, United States |
| 🏛️ Organizer | Charlottesville Chess Club |
| ♟️ Format | 5-round Swiss, 3 sections |
| ⏱️ Time Control | G/90 + 30-second increment |
| 💰 Published Fund | $4,000 based on 80 entries |
| 🌐 US Chess Announcement | https://new.uschess.org/rivanna-open |
| 🌐 Registration | https://caissachess.net/register/9327 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses five rounds at G/90 + 30 seconds per move. All three sections follow the same principal round schedule, making it easier for families or groups with players in different sections to coordinate the weekend.
Byes, Default & Cell Phones
Players may request a maximum of two half-point byes. The published event information also uses a 30-minute no-show forfeit. An audible cell phone during play results in forfeiture under the event rule, so devices should be silenced and stored exactly as the tournament director instructs.
Equipment
The organizer states that playing equipment is provided, reducing the need for travellers to bring boards and sets.
🏆 Prize Fund
The advertised fund is $4,000 based on 80 paid entries. Because the amount is tied to attendance, the separate fixed USD metadata field remains blank.
| Section | Published Prizes |
|---|---|
| Championship | $1,000 / $500 / $300; top U1800 $250 |
| Under 1600 | $500 / $300 / $200; top U1300 $150 |
| Under 1000 / Unrated | $400 / $250 / $150 |
Unrated players assigned to the Under 1600 section are eligible for 50% of published prizes under the event information. Because the total fund is entry-dependent, final payouts should still be confirmed with the organizer.
♟️ Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Championship | US Chess 1500 and above |
| Under 1600 | Below 1600; published minimum 900; unrated players compete here and receive 50% prize eligibility |
| Under 1000 / Unrated | Below 1000 under the organizer’s registration rules |
Players with multiple relevant ratings or unusual/provisional rating histories should use the live Caissa registration rules for final placement.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, November 13 | Round 1 | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, November 14 | Round 2 | 11:00 AM |
| Saturday, November 14 | Round 3 | 4:00 PM |
| Sunday, November 15 | Round 4 | 10:00 AM |
| Sunday, November 15 | Round 5 | 3:00 PM |
📝 Registration
| Registration Date | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Through September 30 / before October 1 | $100 |
| October 1–November 7 | $110 |
| After November 7 | $120 |
Registration is handled through Caissa Chess. Players should confirm current US Chess membership, section eligibility and the organizer’s refund/withdrawal policy before submitting payment.
🏛️ Organizer
| Contact Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer Name | Charlottesville Chess Club |
📍 Venue
Comfort Inn Monticello – 2097 Inn Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22911, United States.
The hotel is on the eastern side of the Charlottesville area near the Monticello / I-64 corridor. All rounds are held at the tournament hotel, which is convenient for players using the event room block.
🏨 Accommodation
The event advertises a tournament hotel rate of approximately $114 plus tax at the Comfort Inn Monticello. Players should use the organizer’s booking instructions and confirm the final rate, room type and cutoff date directly with the hotel or registration page.
Staying at the venue is especially practical for the Friday 7:00 PM first round and Sunday 10:00 AM start.
🚆 How to Get There
Charlottesville is accessible by I-64, Amtrak and Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport. The hotel is outside the walkable downtown core, so a car, taxi or rideshare is the simplest option for most visitors.
Players driving from the north or west should account for university and weekend traffic around Charlottesville before the Friday evening round.
ℹ️ Other Information
One-Venue Weekend
All three sections share the same venue and main schedule. This arrangement makes the Rivanna Open particularly practical for families and club groups with players at different rating levels.
Prize-Fund Status
The $4,000 figure is explicitly based on 80 entries. This page therefore preserves the original conditional wording rather than converting it into a guaranteed prize figure.
Organizer
♟️ About Charlottesville Chess Club
Charlottesville Chess Club (CCC) is a community chess organization based in Charlottesville, Virginia, serving players throughout central Virginia. Active since the mid-1980s, the club meets every Monday evening at St. Mark Lutheran Church and welcomes players of all ages and playing strengths. Its regular program combines casual chess, US Chess-rated and unrated tournaments, lectures, coaching, and structured activities for developing players.
The club has expanded its competitive program beyond weekly meetings. In addition to its club championship and shorter local events, CCC organizes multi-day weekend tournaments such as the Shenandoah Open and Rivanna Open. It also runs the Gecko Chess Academy and a Monthly Master Lecture Series, creating pathways for players who want structured instruction alongside regular tournament experience.
Remus Whitt is the current President of Charlottesville Chess Club and has been involved with the organization since 2013. Under the current board, the club continues to develop its tournament calendar and educational program. The Shenandoah Open 2026 was held from July 31 to August 2, while the Rivanna Open 2026 is scheduled for November 13–15 in Charlottesville.
📜 History and Development
Charlottesville Chess Club traces its history to the mid-1980s. Its earliest meetings took place at the Thomas Jefferson Universalist Church, after which the club moved to Airport Tire.
The club later established its regular meeting base at St. Mark Lutheran Church, where it has met for more than three decades. This continuity has made the club a long-standing gathering point for competitive and recreational chess in the Charlottesville area.
Over the years, its membership has included state champions, university professors, experienced tournament players, juniors, and recreational players. The club now combines this traditional weekly-club model with larger tournament organization and formal chess instruction.
🏆 Tournament Activity
Charlottesville Chess Club runs both regular local tournaments and larger weekend competitions. Its events include rated and unrated play, rapid tournaments, the annual club championship, and multi-section classical tournaments.
The Shenandoah Open 2026 took place from July 31 to August 2, 2026 at the Comfort Inn Monticello in Charlottesville. The five-round Swiss offered Championship, Under 1600, and Under 1000/Unrated sections and advertised a $5,000 prize fund based on 100 entries. All playing equipment was supplied by the organizer.
The club’s next major event is the Rivanna Open, scheduled for November 13–15, 2026 at the same Charlottesville venue. It will use a five-round classical Swiss format with Championship, Under 1600, and Under 1000/Unrated sections. The published prize fund is $4,000 based on 80 entries.
These tournaments give central Virginia players access to longer classical competition while complementing the club’s more frequent local events.
🎓 Coaching and Player Development
Education has become an increasingly visible part of CCC’s activity. The club’s coaching program includes Vice President Joaquin Litzenberger, National Master Owen McCoy, and International Master Ernesto Real de Azua.
Litzenberger has experience teaching chess in Charlottesville schools. Meanwhile, McCoy has competed successfully in scholastic and state-level chess and now provides private and group instruction.
IM Ernesto Real de Azua, an Argentine international master and FIDE Trainer, has delivered the club’s Monthly Master Lecture Series since 2024. The lectures give members access to structured instruction from an experienced titled player.
CCC also operates the Gecko Chess Academy, which provides organized instructional programs for developing players. Its 2026 schedule included a July summer camp and a new academy session beginning in September.
♜ Weekly Club Chess
The club meets every Monday at 6:30 PM at St. Mark Lutheran Church. Players can attend for casual games as well as scheduled club activities.
CCC explicitly welcomes beginners, experienced tournament competitors, adults, university students, and juniors. Club membership is not presented as a prerequisite for simply joining its community chess activity.
The combination of weekly meetings, tournaments, coaching, and lectures allows players to participate at the level that best suits their experience and competitive goals.
🏛️ Organization and Leadership
Remus Whitt serves as President of Charlottesville Chess Club. He has been involved with the club since 2013 and is the most appropriate primary public contact for the organization.
Joaquin Litzenberger serves as Vice President and is also involved in coaching. The current board additionally includes Tripp Southerland, Brian Jenkins, Luke Campopiano, and Jonathan Seward.
The club is also a registered US Chess affiliate, allowing it to organize officially rated tournament activity alongside its casual and educational programs.
Hotels Near the Venue
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