3rd Annual Presidents’ Day Open

Washington Dulles Airport Marriott

45020 Aviation Dr., Dulles, VA 20166

Friday, February 13, 2026 - Tuesday, February 17, 2026

GM/IM NORMS POSSIBLE IN PREMIER SECTION

The Atlantic Chess Association in partnership with Phoenix Chess Club is proud to organize the 3rd Annual Presidents’ Day Open Chess Tournament.

Note: Caissachess tournament registration page will have more up to date information than what is posted on the US Chess TLA.

Sections: Premier (FIDE), U2200 (FIDE), U1600

Rounds: Premier (9 Rounds), U2200 (7 Rounds), U1600 (5 Rounds)

Prizes: $10,700 total prize fund based on 100 full paid entries. 50% of the prize fund is guaranteed. For prize calculations, entries in U2200 count at 70% and U1600 count at 50%.

Premier: $2400/$1200/$600/$400/$200 Class Prizes U2300 (USCF): $600/$400 (Total $5800)

U2200: $1200/$600/$400/$200/$100 Class Prizes U2000 (USCF): $400/$200  (Total $3100)

U1600: $600/$400/$200/$100 (Total $1300) Unr limit $200

** Mixed Doubles prizes: $250/$150/$100 (Total $500)

** 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: 02/13 at 7 PM, 02/14 at 10 AM and 4 PM, 02/15 at 10 AM and 4 PM, 02/16 at 10 AM and 4 PM, 02/17 at 9 AM and 3 PM. The Premier section has only a 5 Day schedule.

U2200: 02/13 at 7 PM, 02/14 at 10 AM and 4 PM, 02/15 at 10 AM and 4 PM, 02/16 at 10 AM and 4 PM. The U2200 section has only a 4 Day schedule.

U1600: 02/14 at 10 AM, 1 PM and 4 PM, 02/15 at 10 AM and 1 PM

Registration Link: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/7804

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

Premier, U2200: Registration closes at 6 PM on 02/13

U1600: Registration closes at 9 AM on 02/14

Byes: Up to two irrevocable ½ point byes allowed. Byes must be committed 1 hr before Round 2. Afterwards, only 0 point byes are allowed.

Premier and U2200:  ½ point byes can be requested until 9 AM on 02/14

U1600: ½ point byes can be requested until 12 PM on 02/14

NOTE: Players who withdraw from the tournament are not eligible for any prizes. You can request 0 point byes anytime.

Minimum Required Rating in Premier Section - FIDE 2000+ OR USCF 2200+

You may play in the Premier Section if your standard USCF rating has reached or exceeded 2200 after any tournament from Jan 1, 2025 onwards.

Players with USCF rating 2100-2199 may play in the Premier section with an extra fee of $100.

Players with USCF rating 2000-2099 may play in the Premier section with an extra fee of $200.

Players with USCF rating of <2000 are not eligible to play in the Premier section.

Minimum Required Rating in U2200 Section - USCF 1600

You may play in the U2200 Section if your standard USCF rating has reached or exceeded 1600 after any tournament from Jan 1, 2025 onwards.

Players with USCF rating 1500-1599 may play in the U2200 section with an extra fee of $100.

Players with USCF rating of <1500 are not eligible to play in the U2200 section.

NOTE: February 2026 US Chess Ratings will be used 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 GMs/IMs/WGMs/WIMs in PREMIER Section based on Availability:

Free entry and no prize deductions for GMs/IMs/WGMs/WIMs if committed by 12/01. After 12/01, free entry, but $200 deducted from prizes. Must play all 9 rounds. No byes or tournament withdrawal allowed.

Reach out to organizers at [email protected] for more details.

Time control:

Premier and U2200: All games are G/90;+30

U1600: All games are G/60;d5

Forfeit Time (All Sections): 30 minutes

Entry fee:

Premier: $250 by 12/07, $280 by 01/07, $310 by 02/08, $350 on or after 02/09

U2200: $175 by 12/07, $200 by  01/07, $225 by 02/08, $255 on or after 02/09
U1600: $125 by 12/07, $140 by  01/07, $155 by 02/08, $175 on or after 02/09

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.

Optional: Please enter your contact number in the Comments/Bye Requests text area while registering. This helps us to reach you if necessary.

For Marriott reservations with a chess rate of $109/night Click Here OR call 1-800-228-9290 or 703-471-9500 and mention ‘Atlantic Chess Tournament’.

Chess rate of $99/night available at Fairfield Inn and Suites in Chantilly. Breakfast included. Call 703-435-1111 to book and mention 'Atlantic Chess Association'.

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 Click here to show mail address