12th Cherry Blossom Classic

12th CHERRY BLOSSOM CLASSIC

$27,000 based/310 paid entries

Open $$12,000$$ Unconditionally GTD. MINIMUM 60% Total Prizes $$21,000$$ GTD

May 22nd/23rd/24th - May 26th 2025

Executive Conference and Training Center, 22685 Holiday Park Dr, Ste 60, Sterling, VA 20166

US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 200 (ENHANCED) ; US Chess Junior Grand Prix -  A VCF Cup Event!

TOURNAMENT DETAILS:

Hotel location (3-5 mins walk from the Event Location): Holiday Inn Washington Dulles, 45425 Holiday Drive, Sterling, VA 20166. Phone: 703-471-7411. Frequent shuttle service from Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) to the Hotel. IAD Airport is connected by Metro station to Union Station/DC and DCA Airport. Check the official website for Hotel Reservations at Chess Group rate 109/night until May 1st 2025.

FIVE SECTIONS & PRIZES:

Open & U2200 (USCF/FIDE Rated)

Open (FIDE; 5-day only): $$12,000 GTD $4000-$2800-$1600-$1100-$800-$500-$300-$200; U2300: $400-$200-$100.

U2200 (FIDE; 5-/4-day): $7,000 based on prizes. $2400-$1600-$1000-$700-$500-$300; U1900: $300-$200 (Unr limit $200).

U1800 (5-/4-day): $4,200 based on prizes. $1600-$1000-$700-$400-$200; U1500: $200-$100 (Unr limit $150).

U1400 (5-/4-day): $2,800 based on prizes. $1200-$700-$400-$200; U1100: $200-$100 (Unr limit $100).

U1000 (2-day only): $1,000 based on prizes. $500-$300-$200.

LIMITED Conditions for GMs and Foreign title holders (IMs/WGMs/WIMs) in OPEN Section based on Availability: GTD Appearance Fees (NOT Minimum Prize) & Double Shared Accommodation (4-nights) for such titled players who register by Apr 22nd and play all 9 games with no byes or withdrawing from event. Private/Additional Room nights requested will reduce the Appearance fees. MUST commit and Register with a Refundable Deposit online by Apr 22nd – Check Official website for further details OR Contact Organizer for more information - NO CONDITIONS (Appearance Fees or Accommodations) ARE OFFERED after Apr 22nd.

Minimum Rating in Open Section since the Mar 2025 supplement: Min Rating FIDE 2000+. FIDE 1900-1999 - PAY $350 extra (FIDE Under 1900 NOT ALLOWED TO REGISTER).  No Minimum Rating in Other Sections.

NOTE: May 2025 FIDE Ratings used in OPEN section for Pairings and Prizes. Other Sections will use May 2025 US Chess Ratings for Pairings & Prizes. Organizer reserves the right to use a different rating system/conversion for any specific players or section as appropriate.

Entry Fees:

Open & U2200: $250 by 4/20, $280 by 5/11, $300 by 5/18, $330 later and onsite. GMs and Foreign IMs/WGMs/WIMs Free ($100 refundable deposit EF REQUIRED), $120 deducted from prize. US IMs/WGMs/WIMs/Foreign FIDE Players rated FIDE 1800+ $100 less, $80 deducted from prize.

U1800/U1400: $200 by 4/20, $220 by 5/11, $240 by 5/18, $270 later and onsite. U1200 $100 less.

Re-entry $100, no re-entry in Open to Open or U2200 to U2200. Onsite Entry closes 2-hrs before Round 1 else enter with 1/2 point byes. Refunds/Withdrawals will incur a 10% service charge until May 18th, 50% until May 21st. NO REFUNDS AFTER MAY 21st.

Schedule & Time controls:

Open/U2200/U1800/U1400 5-day (Open plays ONLY 5-day): G/90;+30 (Regn ends Thu 6pm; Rounds Thu 7pm; Fri/Sat/Sun 11am - 5pm; Mon 10am – 3:30pm).

U2200/U1800/U1400 4-day: Rounds 1-2 G/60;d5, Rounds 3-9 G/90;+30: (Regn ends Fri 10am; Rounds 1-2 Fri 11am - 2pm; Round 3 Fri 5pm merges with 5-day; Rounds 4-9 Sat/Sun 11am - 5pm; Mon 10am - 3:30pm).

U1200 2-day ONLY: Rds 1-6 G/60;d5: (Regn. ends Sat 10am; Rounds Sat/Sun 11am – 2pm – 5pm)

Byes:

All rounds allowed. Limit 3 in all Sections except 2 byes in U1200 only , must commit 1 hour before rd. 3, norm not possible in Open if taking bye.

Other Info – Check official website for additional details:

No Electronic Notation Devices are allowed in any Section. Default Forfeit time: 30 mins

Email Info: cbc2025@capitalareachess.com. Ent: Entry Online or Mail to "Capital Area Chess Inc, 5116 Bebe Ct., Centreville, VA 20120".

Blitz Side event:

Sat Night Blitz Rated May 24th 9:15pm (Open USCF/FIDE Rated & Amateur/U1800 USCF Rated).

Open FIDE/USCF Rated - 9-SS: G/3;+2; $$800 GTD $400-200-100 Top U2000 $100. 

Amateur/U1800 Only USCF Rated 9-SS G/3;+2 ($300 b/20): $140-80-40 Top U1400 $40 each.

EF: Open $30 by May 23rd Online; $40 later online/onsite until May 24th 830pm.

Scholastic Side event:

Sat Scholastic May 24th 9:30am; Sections: K-12 U1200, K-8 U1000, K-5 U800, K-3 U600. EF: Open $30 by May 23rd online; $40 later online/onsite until May 24th 9am. Trophies to Top 3 in each section, Sections maybe combined if less then 4 players in any section but separate prizes.