7th COLONIAL OPEN

7th COLONIAL OPEN ($10,000 b/140 entries; 60% GTD)

APR 2nd/3rd – Apr 5th 2026

Executive Conference and Training Center, Sterling, VA

US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS (Enhanced): 50; US Chess Junior Grand Prix ; VCF Cup Event. !

SECTIONS & PRIZES:

Open (FIDE) (4-/3-day) $1800-1100-800, U2200/Unr $400, U2100/Unr $300.

U2000 (FIDE) (4-/3-day) $1200-800-500, U1800 $300, U1700 $200 (Unr limit $200).

U1600 (FIDE) (4-/3-day) $800-500-300, U1400 $200, U1300 $100 (Unr limit $200).

U1200/Unr (2-day only) $300-200-100, U1000/Unr $100

Min Rating in Open Section: USCF/FIDE 1700 else pay $200 extra (Peak rating considered through Oct 2025 supplement).

Hotel Reservations:

Holiday Inn Washington Dulles, 45425 Holiday Drive, Dulles, Virginia 20166 (frequent shuttle service from IAD Airport to Hotel). $115/night if reserved by Mar 11th 2026. Check official website for the details on Hotel Reservations link and Phone#. IAD Airport is connected by Metro station to Union Station/DC and DCA Airport. Note: Tournament is not at the Hotel, it’s about a 5 minute walk to the playing venue Executive Conference and Training Center, Sterling, VA.

Entry Fees: 

FREE Entry to GMs/IMs/WGMs/WIMs if registered by Apr 1st (No prize deduction if registered by Mar 22nd ELSE $100 deducted from Prize winnings).

Top 3 Sections: Early bird $150 by 3/8, $165 by 3/22, $180 by 3/29, $195 after and onsite. U1200 $60 less. 10% service fee for refunds until Apr 1st ; 50% penalty for withdrawals after Apr 1st.

Schedule & Time controls. (U1200 plays only 2-day):

Open/U2000/U1600 4-day Reg. ends Thu 4/2 6pm. Rounds Thu 4/2 7pm, Fri 4/3 & Sat 4/4 11am – 5pm, Sun 4/5 10am - 4pm. Rounds 1 – 7 G/90;+30.

Open/U2000/U1600 3-day Reg. ends Fri 4/3 10am. Rounds Fri 4/3 11am – 2pm – 5pm, Sat 4/4 11am – 5pm, Sun 4/5 10am - 4pm. Rounds 1 – 2 G/60;d5, Rounds 3 – 7 G/90;+30. 3-day merges with 4-day in Round #3. Rounds 1 & 2 in Open, U2000 & U1600 not FIDE Rated.

U1200 2-day only; Reg. ends Sat 4/4 10am. Rounds Sat 4/4 11am – 2pm – 5pm, Sun 4/5 10am - 1pm - 4pm. Rounds 1 – 6 G/60;d5.

Byes:

All rounds allowed, must commit 1hr before rd. 2; limit 2 byes in all sections. Email Info: [email protected].

Entries:

https://www.capitalareachess.com/colonialopen or Capital Area Chess Inc, 5116 Bebe Ct., Centreville, VA 20120.

Blitz Side event (Sat 4/4 9pm):

Open Section. 5-Round Double Swiss G/3;+2. EF: $30 by Fri 4/3. $40 onsite. Prizes: $1000 b/30 $300-$200-$100 U2000/U1800/U1600/U1400 $100 each.