George Washington Open – February 27 – March 1 or February 28 – March 1, 2026
https://www.chesstour.com/gwo26.htm
10th annual
GEORGE WASHINGTON OPEN
February 27 – March 1 or February 28 – March 1, 2026
Washington Dulles Marriott Hotel, Dulles, Virginia
US Chess Grand Prix Points: 120 (enhanced)
10th annual George Washington Open. 5-round Swiss-System tournament, 40/80, SD/30; d30 (2-day option, rounds 1-2 G/60, d10), Washington Dulles Marriott Hotel, 45020 Aviation Drive, Dulles, VA 20166 (about 28 miles from Washington). Free parking, free shuttle to Dulles Airport and to Metro subway.
$17,000 TOTAL GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND IN 5 SECTIONS!
Major Section (1900/up): $2000-1000-600-400, clear or tiebreak 1st $100 bonus, top USCF Under 2300 (no Unr) $600-300. FIDE- rated. See peakrating.us for rules regarding playing up.
Under 2100 Section: $1300-700-400-200, top Under 1900 (no Unr) $600-300. FIDE-rated.
Under 1800 Section: $1200-600-300-200, top Under 1600 (no Unr) $500-250.
Under 1500 Section: $1000-500-300-150, top Under 1300 (no Unr) $400-200.
Under 1200 Section: $700-400-300-200, top Under 1000 (no Unr) $200-100.
Unrated may not win over $100 in U1200, $200 U1500, $400 U1800; balance goes to next player(s) in line.
Cannot play below USCF Online Regular Rating minus 100 points.
BIGGEST UPSET BONUS PRIZE: Free Entry to 2026 World Open in DC to biggest individual upset among all rounds and sections (upset prize does not include any additional entry fee surcharges, based on players’ ratings, for players who elect to play up in World Open, Open Section but who are eligible for a lower section).
MIXED DOUBLES BONUS PRIZES: Best male+female 2-player team combined score among all sections: $500-300-200. Team must average under 2200; may play in different sections and schedules; register (no extra fee) by 2 pm Sat. Prize limits do not apply to Mixed Doubles team prizes.
Top 4 sections entry fee: $123 online at chessaction.com by 2/24, $140 later online or at site (no checks, credit cards OK) until 1 hour before round 1.
Under 1200 Section entry fee: All $20 less than top 4 sections entry fee.
All sections: Re-entry $60, not available to go from Major to Major. GMs, IMs & WGMs free in Major; $100 deducted from prize.
Special 1-year USCF dues with magazine if paid online with entry: Adult $54, Senior (age 65+) $48, Young Adult $33, Youth $24. USCF membership is required.
Foreign player rating info Prizewinner tax info CCA electronic devices rules
PLAYERS MAY NOT POSESS CELLPHONES DURING PLAY. Please leave your phone home, or in your hotel room or car, or in a bag at your table.
For all tournaments, adjusted FIDE or foreign ratings, if higher than USCF, may be used. Players must disclose FIDE or foreign ratings when entering, or may later be expelled. Other over the board ratings such as club, league, scholastic, state or province, etc, adjusted if appropriate, may be used at our discretion if above USCF. No rating below the latest official USCF rating, on the list corresponding to the ending date of the tournament, will be used. For 9 round events offering title norm possibilities, FIDE ratings are used. Click here for further details.
Ratings: March official USCF ratings used. USCF Online Regular rating or unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated, or to qualify for Major (see peakrating.us). Players must reveal foreign, FIDE and other over the board ratings, and these ratings, adjusted if necessary, may be used if higher than USCF. See also above.
3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 5 pm, Sun 10 am & 3:30 pm.
2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 10 am, rds Sat 11 am, 2 pm & 5 pm, Sun 10 am & 3:30 pm.
Half point byes: OK all, limit 2, must commit before round 2.
Hotel rates: $133-133, use this link (also posted at chessevents.us or call 703-471-9500 and mention Chess Rate); reserve by 2/5 or rate may go up.
Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com.
Entry: chessaction.com. No mail entries. Questions: www.chesstour.com, director@chess.us. Entries posted at chessaction.com (click “entry list” after entering).
BRING SET, BOARD, CLOCK IF POSSIBLE- NONE SUPPLIED.
BLITZ TOURNAMENT Saturday 9:30 pm, enter onsite Saturday by 9:10 pm.