2nd Annual Blue Ridge Open

Friday, September 19, 2025 - Sunday, September 21, 2025

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, U1500

Prizes: $5750 total prize fund based on 100 full paid entries; U1500 counts at 70%

Premier: $1200/$600/$400/$200 Class Prizes U2100 (USCF): $400/$200 (Total $3000)

U2000: $800/$400/$200/$100 Class Prizes U1700: $200/$100 (Total $1800) Unr limit $300

U1500: $400/$200/$100 (Total $700) Unr limit $200

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. May play in different sections. Registration due before the start of Round 3.     

Schedule:

Premier: 9/19 at 7 PM, 9/20 at 10 AM and 4 PM, 9/21 at 9 AM and 3 PM. The Premier section has only a 3 Day schedule.

U2000 3 Day: 9/19 at 7 PM, 9/20 at 10 AM and 4 PM, 9/21 at 9 AM and 3 PM.

U2000 2 Day: 9/20 at 10 AM and 1 PM, schedules merge starting from round 3.

U1500: 9/20 at 10 AM, 1 PM and 4 PM, 9/21 at 9 AM and 12 PM.

Registration Link: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/6987

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

Premier and U2000 3 Day: Registration closes at 6 PM on 09/19

U2000 2 Day and U1500: Registration closes at 9 AM on 09/20

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 and U2000 3 Day: ½ point byes can be requested until 9 AM on 09/20

U2000 2 Day and U1500: ½ point byes can be requested until 12 PM on 09/20

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 1900

You may play in the Premier Section if your standard USCF rating has reached or exceeded 1900 after any tournament from Jan 1, 2025 onwards.

Players with USCF rating 1800-1900 may play in the Premier section with an extra fee of $200.

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

No Minimum Rating in Other Sections.

NOTE: September 2025 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 GM/IM/WGM/WIM in PREMIER Section based on Availability:

Free entry and no prize deductions for GM/IM/WGM/WIM if committed by 07/31. After 07/31, free entry but $125 deducted from prizes. Must play all 5 rounds. No byes or tournament withdrawal allowed.

Time control:

Premier and U2000 3 Day Schedules: All games G/90;+30

U2000 2 Day Schedule: Rounds 1 and 2 are G/60;d5. Other rounds are G/90;+30

U1500: All games are G/60;d5.

Forfeit Time (All Sections): 30 minutes

Entry fee:

Entry fee for Premier and U2000: $125 by 08/03, $145 by 09/07, $180 on/after 09/08

Entry fee for U1500: $85 by 08/03, $100 by 09/07, $125 on/after 09/08

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 $119/night, call 1-800-228-9290 or 703-471-9500 and mention ‘Atlantic Chess Tournament’.

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]