2025 US Armed Forces Open

THIS IS A PRE-TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

FINAL DETAILS FOR THIS EVENT ARE STILL IN DEVELOPMENT

Event Name and Dates: 2025 US Armed Forces Open (USAFO), October 11-13, 2025.

Status: Current planning calls for the 2025 to be hosted by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The agreement is being worked and is not yet finalized.

Event Overview: The annual USAFO is open to all active duty US Military, retired US Military, former members of the US armed forces, cadets from the nation's military academies (Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine), and college ROTC students. The tournament has 5 rounds, two on Saturday and Sunday, and one on Monday. Play is organized in 2 Sections, with the "Championship" section open to active duty, retirees, and academy / ROTC cadets, and the "Veterans" section for former members of the armed forces.  Both Sections are FIDE and US Chess rated.

Cost to Play: FREE for the Championship Section, $25 to play in the Veterans Section.

Lodging Information: TBD.

Rough Schedule of Events:  
- Saturday, 10/11, Rounds 1 and 2, Blitz Tournament on Saturday night.  
- Sunday, 10/12, Rounds 3 and 4.
- Monday 10/13, Round 5 and Awards Ceremony.

Prizes: Lots of trophies and plaques, no monetary prizes.

For more information: Contact Mike Hoffpauir, mhoffpauir@aol.com, 757-846-4805 (cell or text).