65th Annual U.S. Armed Forces Open Chess Championship

FREE ENTRY: Current US Chess membership required for all players. Online tournament registration is encouraged.

Tournament Info:  Go to www.vachess.org and select the link for the US Armed Forces Open. A map to the playing site will be posted there. AFO players with their military ID will be able to park on the Naval Academy. Veterans Open players will be required to park outside and walk in through the Visitor Center screening.

Registration: Two ways to enter

• ONLINE: See www.vachess.org. No entries by email, phone or text.
• ONSITE: Saturday, Oct 12, 0900-0945 at the tournament site. Check-in is MANDATORY to confirm your online registration at least 15 minutes before the start of the tournament, failure check-in will result in you not being paired for Round 1.

Player Eligibility: All players must meet at least one of the entry criteria below:

• Current, retired, and former members of the U.S. Military, Coast Guard, and other uniformed federal services.
• Midshipmen/Cadets attending one of the nation's military academies.
• ROTC Cadets/Midshipmen attending a university where they are enrolled in the ROTC program.

Two Sections: 5 Rounds, Swiss System, FIDE rated, FIDE rules. Time control is G/90 +30. One-hour default/no-show policy.

• Armed Forces Open: Active Duty, Military Retirees, Midshipmen/Cadets, College ROTC, and National Guard/Reserve. Bring your Military ID card for access to the playing site and to demonstrate eligibility to play.
• Veterans Open: Honorably Discharged Veterans / former military. Bring DD 214, VA Card, or other appropriate proof of your military service to demonstrate eligibility. A valid, unexpired REAL ID compliant government issued identification card is required for access to the Naval Academy.

Round times:

• Saturday, Oct 12: Rounds 1 and 2 @ 1000 and 1500
• Sunday, Oct 13: Rounds 3 and 4 @ 1200 and 1800
• Monday, Oct 14: Round 5 @ 0900.
• BYE REQUESTS: One half-point bye is available for the tournament; please declare during Registration or up to 1 hour before the start of Round 2 on Saturday. Bye requests after this cutoff are zero-point byes.

Prizes: See the website (www.vachess.org) for the complete list. All prizes are trophies, plaques, and other gifts. No cash prizes.

Side event:

• Blitz Championship: Saturday evening at 2000, FREE PIZZA. US Chess rated (G5/d0).

Group Photo: Monday Oct 14 at 0845, just before we start Round 5. Everyone is strongly requested to wear their Class A uniform or business attire.

Awards Ceremony: As soon as possible after the end of Round 5.

Prohibited Items: The following items are prohibited from being brought through the USNA gates:

• Weapons/Knives
• Bags larger than a typical purse (e.g., duffle bags, backpacks, large camera bags)
• Coolers
• Boxes
• Mace
• Anything considered a threat by a screener

Lodging information: Closest military lodging is the Navy Lodge 2.6 miles across the Severn River. Reservations cannot be made more than 30 days in advance. Other lodging suggestions can be found at https://navalacademytourism.com/accommodations