14th Annual Chesapeake Open

14th Annual Chesapeake Open
Sept. 26 - 28, 2025
Rockville, Maryland

Individual Registation

Group Registration

Championship, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600: 5SS, Game/90 inc/30 -- (2-day schedule: Rnds 1-2 Game/45 inc/30)
U1300 and U1000: 5SS, Game/75 d/5 with Rnds 1-2 at Game/45 d/5;
U1300 3-day schedule: all rounds Game/75 d/5

Playing Site

Rockville Hilton, Rockville, MD

We aim to create a pleasant environment for playing chess. Below are the answers we received at a previous tournament to the question of what do we do better than other tournaments. .

Tournament Features

• We pair rounds as early as possible and start rounds on time→ You have time to get ready and don't have to waste your time waiting for the round to start
• 30" increment time control in the top five sections → No more clock smashing scrambles at the end of the game.
• Score-based prizes → See the advantages below.
• Additional 1st place prizes to clear first when there is no 5-0 player in the section, added to your score prize→ More prize money
• Minimum ratings to play in the top 5 sections → Less mismatch games.
• Sets, boards and clocks provided for everyone→ No more carrying around pieces and a board, just bring a clock.
• Free Sunday morning Continental breakfast → Relax, have some coffee and a danish before you start your game.
• Texting or emailing of pairings to your cell phone available → No rush at the pairing chart before the round
•  $139 hotel rate, Reserve a room → Relax and stay at the tournament hotel. $5 EF discount if staying at hotel. 
• Hotel next to DC Metro stop→ Take the Metro directly to the tournament.
• Shorter time controls in lower sections → Less waiting around between rounds.
• New additional discount for Washington International Players →  The more tournaments you play in, the larger the discount. See more here.

Prizes

This tournament will pay prizes based solely on your final score. All the prizes are guaranteed. If the total pay out in the Open section is less than $1500, extra money will be added to the pay out of the top score group to bring the total to $1500. 
 

Advantages over place-based scoring

Less Waiting

Your score determines your prize. Once you finish your last game, you can receive a check.

Less Uncertainty

Your prize does not get lowered if others tie with you. For example, if there are two 5-0 players, both receive the full amount for 5-0.

Less short draws

The total payout is always higher when games are decisive.

Adult Unrated may not enter U1000. All unrateds and are limited to a maximum prize of $100 in the U1000, $200 in the U1300, and $400 in the U1600 section. Balance goes to player(s) with same score or is divided among players in next lower score group.

Entrance Fees

Early (online or mail by 9/12) $129
Regular (online or mail by 9/23) $139
Late (online by 9/25) $149
At-the-door (cash or credit card) $160.

Special Entrance Fees

Under 1300 section: all entrance fees $45 less.
Under 1000: all entrance fees $65 less. 
Free early entrance to GMs.  nothing will be subtracted from any prizes. 
$45 discount EF for IMs. nothing will be subtracted from any prizes.

$5 discount if staying at hotel.

Individual Registrations

Group Registrations

Mail Registrations to:
Maryland Chess Assn.
1827 Thornton Ridge Road
Towson, MD 21204

Mailed registrations should include name, section, schedule(2-day or 3-day). The chief TD for the tournament will be Mike Regan. If you have any questions about the tournament email him at [email protected].

Schedules

3-day schedule Champ - U1600: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Saturday 11am and 5:30, Sunday 9:30 am and 2:45. 
2-day schedule Champ - U1600: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Saturday 11am, 2:15 and 5:30, Sunday 9:30 am and 2:45.
U1000 and U1300 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Saturday 11, 12:45 and 3:00, Sunday 9:30 am and 12:15 pm.
U1300 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Friday 7 pm, Saturday 11 and 3:00, Sunday 9:30 am and 12:15 pm.

Byes

Half point byes: all must commit before rd 3

Reentries:

all, $80 except U1000 and U1250 $40. You can reenter any schedule taking 1/2 point byes for unplayed games. If you reenter with a single 1/2 point bye, the cost is $70/$35. If you reenter with two 1/2 point byes, the cost is $60/$30.

Hotel Rates: $139 per night $5 EF discount if staying at hotel. Reserve a room

Parking : $6 for day guest and $10 overnight. Parking is free in Metro parking lot over the weekend.

Rooms are limited. So make your reservations early.

Rule Variations 

• In sections that the organizer provides clocks, 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.
• The electronic score keeping devices, ChessNoteR and eNotate, cannot be used at this tournament.
• All players with provisional ratings will have 100 points added to their rating for determining section eligibility
• 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.

Phone Rules

• All phones should be off. Phones should not be on your person when you leave the room. In non-FIDE rated sections you can store you phone on the table or in a bag next to your chair. Phone lockers are available for all sections.
• Any with ringing phone or leaving (or returning to ) the playing hall with a phone will receive a time reduction of 30 minutes or half your remaining time which ever is less.
• Anyone using their phone to affect the game will be forfeited.