13th Annual Washington International

13th Annual Washington International
July 25 - 29, 2026

Rockville, Maryland

9-round Swiss, Game/90, 30/incr

Playing Site
Rockville Hilton
1750 Rockville Pike; Rockville, Maryland 20852 United States
301-468-1100

Come play in what we believe are the best playing conditions in the US!

New this Year

• Larger prize fund, $51,000

• Minimum rating in Premier is 1750

• Results from the 2025 Washington International

• Pictures from the 2025 Washington International

Updates at mdchess.com

Continuing Tournament Features

• Clocks, sets and boards are provided for everyone
• Free Continental breakfast before morning rounds on Saturday and Wednesday
   
• If staying at the Hilton using the group rate, $50 discount on EF. (Minimum 3 nights, max 2 discounts per room) Reserve a room
   
• Hotel next to DC Metro stop (Twinbrook)
• Top boards will be broadcast live
  
• Washington International T-shirt only $5
• Free Guest WiFi in skittles rooms
• Cumulative Discounts:
  • $50 discount for players staying at the hotel
  • $50 discount for players over age 50 in all sections
  • $25 discount for all new Washington International players
  • $25 discount for family members (siblings, parents, and children)
  • $25 rebate for every new WI player you recruit

Championship Section (minimum 2200 US Chess or 2000 FIDE)

$27,250 Guaranteed Prizes

Conditions

• All GMs with FIDE over 2600: six nights single room,  six nights shared room with a $500 minimum prize, $600 conditions
• All GMs, non-US IMs, non-US WGMs: six nights shared room or  $350 conditions
• A limited number of rooms include breakfast.
• The total number of rooms available is limited.
• Must play all nine rounds to qualify for conditions.

FIDE ratings will be used for pairings and prizes. The default time for late arrival is 60 minutes but the Chief Arbiter may make exceptions in case of emergency. There is a limit of 4 1/2 point byes and you must request them two hours before round 4.

Championship Section Entrance Fees

All GMs, WGMS, IMs  - Free ($200 deducted from prize for entries after 6/25/2026)
All non-US FIDE over 2000- $249
FIDE over 2000 - $379
FIDE less than 2000 and USCF greater at least 2200 - $484
(All discounts are cumulative)

$50 discount, if staying at the Hilton at the group rate. Reserve a room
$50 discount for all players born before 7/26/1976
$25 discount for first time Washington International players
$25 discount for family members (siblings, parents, and children)
$25 rebate for every first time WI player you recruit

All $15 more after 6/25/2026
All $25 more after 7/11/2026
All $35 more after 7/21/2026
All $80 more after 7/23/2026 (Registration closes at 9am on 7/25)

Round Schedule for Championship Section

July 25 (Saturday) - July 28 (Tuesday) 11am and 5:00pm
July 29 (Wednesday) - 11am

Individual Registration

Group Registration 

Premier Section (Under 2300 USCF and Under 2100 FIDE, and USCF greater than 1750, FIDE rated)

9-SS, Same playing conditions and location as the Championship section.

$15,000 in Guaranteed Prizes

Contenders Section (Under 1800 USCF, NOT FIDE rated,

USCF greater than 1000)

9-SS, Same playing conditions and location as the Championship section.

$8250 in Guaranteed Prizes

Contenders Prizes

 Mixed Doubles (any section): $400 - $250 

USCF ratings will be used for pairings and prizes in the Premier and Contenders sections. The default time for late arrival is 60 minutes but the Chief Arbiter may make exceptions in case of emergency.

Premier and Contenders Sections Entrance Fees

Early Entrance Fee - $329

(All discounts are cumulative)
$50 discount if staying at the Hilton at the group rate. (minimum 3 night stay and maximum two discounts per room) Reserve a Room
$50 discount for all players born before 7/26/1976
$25 discount for all first time Washington International players
$25 discount for family members (siblings, parents, and children)
$25 rebate for every new WI player you recruit
$50 more for players rated less than 1800 in the Premier Section and less than 1200 in the Contenders
$25 more after 7/11/2026
$35 more after 7/21/2026
$80 more after 7/23/2026 (Registration closes at 9am 7/23)

Results from all previous Washington Internationals

Individual Registration

Group Registration 

Mail Registrations to:
Maryland Chess Association
c/o Mike Regan
1827 Thornton Ridge Road
Towson, MD 21204
Mailed registrations in the Championship section should include name, FIDE rating, FIDE country.

Round Schedule for Premier and Contenders Section

July 25 (Saturday) - July 28 (Tuesday) 11am and 5:00pm
July 29 (Wednesday) - 11am

Hotel Rates: $130 per night, Rooms are limited, so make your reservations early. 

The organizer is Mike Regan. If you have any questions, email him at Click here to show mail address.

Electronic Devices Rules (all sections)

Do not bring electronic devices (cell phones and smart watches) into the playing venue (playing room, halls outside playing room, smoking area, bathrooms, etc) according to FIDE rule 11.3. Players are subject to scanning to test for possession of cell phones. We plan to monitor using both thermal and magnetic scanners. Traffic in various areas will also be video monitored. You can store your phone in one of our cell phone lockers.

Possession of a device 

• Forfeit of the game and potential expulsion for tournament.

Parking Information

Parking is $15/night for overnight guests. It is $6 for day guests. You should validate your ticket at the front desk. 

Rule Variations

• If both players are not present at the start of the round, the tournament director will start white's clock.
• Any player forfeiting a round must pay a $50 fine before being allowed to play in a future tournament organized by MCA or Baltimore Chess.
• No show forfeit time for all sections is one hour
• The electronic score keeping devices, ChessNoteR and eNotate, cannot be used at this tournament.
• Players with byes who are eligible to play in a lower section that also has a bye player may get paired in that section as a house player. They will still have the bye for standings in their original section. The game in the lower section does count for standings and must be played.