Registration Form

3RD ANNUAL BLUE RIDGE OPEN

Washington Dulles Airport Marriott

45020 Aviation Dr, Dulles, VA 20166

Friday, September 18, 2026 - Sunday, September 20, 2026

Please note that the hotel offers FREE parking during the day and a FREE shuttle to/from the terminal every 15 mins. It is conveniently located on the Silver line Metro station. Players can use Washington Dulles Airport road (NO TOLL) to reach the venue.

Note: Caissachess tournament registration page will have more up to date information than what is posted on the US Chess TLA.

5 Rounds Swiss

Sections: Premier (FIDE), U2000 (FIDE), U1600, U1200

Prizes: $6550 total prize fund based on 100 full paid entries; U1200 counts at 50%

Premier:$1200/$800/$400/$200 Class Prizes U2100 (USCF): $400/$200 (Total $3200) 

U2000: $800/$400/$200/$100 Class Prizes U1700: $200/$100 (Total $1800) 

U1600: $400/$200/$100 Class Prizes U1300: $100 (Total $800) Unr limit $100

U1200: $250/150  Class Prizes U800: $100  (Total $500)

Mixed Doubles prizes: $125/$75/$50- prize to the best male/female 2-player team combined score among all sections. Must have a combined average rating less than 2200 USCF. May play in different sections. Registrations are due before the start of Round 3.

Schedule: 

Premier, U2000 and U1600: 9/18 at 7 PM, 9/19 at 10 AM and 4 PM, 9/20 at 9 AM and 3 PM. U1200: 9/19 at 10 AM, 1 PM and 4 PM, 9/20 at 9 AM and 12 PM.

Registration Link: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/9313

On-site registration closes 1 hr before the start of round 1 (after that players may register with a half-point bye)

Premier, U2000 and U1600: Registration closes at 6 PM on 9/18

U1200: Registration closes at 9 AM on 9/19

Byes

Up to two irrevocable half-point byes allowed. Byes must be committed 1 hr before Round 2. Afterwards, only 0-point byes are allowed.

Premier, U2000 and U1600: ½ point byes can be requested until 9 AM on 09/19

U1200: ½ point byes can be requested until 12 PM on 09/19

NOTE: Players who withdraw from the tournament are not eligible for any prizes. You can request zero point byes anytime.

Minimum Required Rating in Premier Section - USCF 2000

You may play in the Premier Section if your standard USCF rating has reached or exceeded 2000 after any tournament from Jan 1, 2026 onwards.

Players with USCF rating 1900-1999 may play in the Premier section with an extra fee of $100.

Players with USCF rating 1800-1899 may play in the Premier section with an extra fee of $200.

Players with USCF rating <1800 are not eligible to play in the Premier section.

ALL FIDE titled players who are FM and above must play in the Premier section. No extra fee for those players if their rating is below the minimum.

Minimum Required Rating in U2000 Section - USCF 1500

You may play in the U2000 Section if your standard USCF rating has reached or exceeded 1500 after any tournament from Jan 1, 2026 onwards.

Players with USCF rating 1400-1500 may play in the U2000 section with an extra fee of $100.

Players with USCF rating <1400 are not eligible to play in the U2000 section.

No Minimum Rating in Other Sections.

NOTE: September 2026 US Chess Ratings will be used in the Premier section for Pairings and Prizes. The organizer reserves the right to use a different rating system/conversion for any specific players or section as appropriate.

LIMITED Conditions for GMs/IMs/WGMs/WIMs in PREMIER Section based on Availability. Minimum Required Rating for conditions is 2400 FIDE.

Free entry and no prize deductions for GM/IM/WGM/WIM if committed by 7/31. After 7/31, free entry but $135 deducted from prizes. Must play all 5 rounds. No byes or tournament withdrawal allowed. We reserve the right to deny conditions to any player based on prior experience. After 7/31, conditions may not be offered. 

Time control:

Premier, U2000 and U1600:: All games are G/90;+30

U1200: All games are G/60;d5.

Forfeit Time (All Sections): 60 minutes

Entry fee:

Premier, U2000 and U1600: $135 by 8/2, $150 by 8/23, $165 by 9/6, $180 on/after 9/13

Entry fee for U1200: $65 by 8/2, $75 by 8/23, $85 by 9/6, $95 on/after 9/13

All entry fee deadlines are in EST. Please select the correct entry fee option for your section while registering. Re-entries are permitted in all sections except Premier -- the price to re-enter is $75.

For Marriott reservations with a chess rate of $109/night for 1 King Bed or $119/night for 2 Double beds, Click Here

Boards and pieces will be provided. Please bring a pen to write and a chess clock if you have it. Players must know how to set up their own clock.

No Electronic Notation Devices are allowed in any Section. 

Strict policy in place for cell phones and all electronic devices.

Withdrawals are subject to a 10% processing fee. Full credit can be used for any future ACA tournament. 

For any questions, please reach out to [email protected]