The Atlantic Open returns for its 57th edition this summer, bringing one of the East Coast’s most prestigious chess traditions back to Washington, D.C. From August 22-24, 2025, the Omni Shoreham Hotel will host more than 150 players in a Heritage Event that combines history, prestige, and serious competition.
With $30,000 in guaranteed prizes and 150 enhanced US Chess Grand Prix points, the Atlantic Open continues to attract top grandmasters alongside ambitious juniors and dedicated amateurs. The tournament also counts toward the US Chess Junior Grand Prix, making it a crucial stop for young talents seeking recognition.
Venue and Format
The event takes place at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, located at 2500 Calvert St. NW, Washington, D.C. Players can choose between a three-day schedule (starting Friday evening) or a two-day schedule (starting Saturday morning), both converging into the same final rounds on Sunday.
The time control is 40 moves in 80 minutes, then sudden death in 30 minutes, with a 30-second increment. For the two-day schedule, rounds 1–2 are played at a faster G/60 with 10-second delay.
Prize Fund and Sections
The tournament is divided into seven sections, with prizes distributed as follows:
- Major (1900 & up, FIDE-rated): $3,000 – $1,500 – $700 – $400 – $300, plus a $100 clear first bonus. Best Under 2300: $1,300 – $700.
- Under 2100 (FIDE-rated): $2,000 – $1,000 – $500 – $400 – $300.
- Under 1900: $2,000 – $1,000 – $500 – $400 – $300.
- Under 1700: $1,800 – $900 – $500 – $300 – $200.
- Under 1500: $1,500 – $800 – $400 – $300 – $200.
- Under 1300: $1,300 – $700 – $400 – $300 – $200.
- Under 1000: $800 – $400 – $300 – $200 – $100.
Special rules apply for unrated players, limiting their prize eligibility in class sections. The World Open rule also applies: players scoring 8+ points in the World Open U2200 or below must play in a higher section here.
Additionally, the Mixed Doubles Bonus offers $1,000–$500–$300–$200 for the best male-female two-player teams, provided their combined rating average is under 2200.
Headliners: Zhou and Sonis Lead the Field
The entry list already features 161 players, with strong international participation.
At the top stands GM Jianchao Zhou (USA, 2663 USCF / 2584 FIDE), one of the strongest Chinese-born players now competing under the U.S. flag. Close behind is GM Francesco Sonis (Italy, 2617 USCF / 2567 FIDE), the 22-year-old rising star from Europe.
Challenging them will be a group of ambitious young masters, including:
- FM Danila Poliannikov (USA, 2465 USCF)
- IM Eshaan Hebbar (USA, 2294 USCF)
- Vikram Srivastava (USA, 2218 USCF)
- FM Julio Morella (Cuba, 2216 USCF)
- CM Jamison Edrich Kao (Hong Kong, 2174 USCF)
- Will Moorhouse (USA, 2122 USCF)
With such a mix of seasoned grandmasters, titled juniors, and international representatives, the fight for the Major Section crown promises to be intense.
Looking Back: Zhou’s Triumph in 2024
The 56th Atlantic Open (2024) produced a thrilling finish at the top, with three grandmasters tying for first on 4.0/5.
GM Jianchao Zhou (2655) won on tiebreaks, adding another prestigious American open title to his resume. Zhou’s performance was marked by resilience: wins in rounds 1 and 2, fighting draws against GMs Robby Kevlishvili and Viktor Gazik, and a final-round victory over CM Tyson Brady to clinch the crown. His consistency under pressure earned him $1,833 and the first-place bonus.
Sharing the top score were GM Viktor Gazik (2629) of Slovakia, now based in Texas, and GM Robby Kevlishvili (2614) of Missouri. Both played uncompromising chess throughout, defeating strong opposition before being held to crucial draws in the last two rounds. Each secured $1,733 for their efforts.
Behind the leading trio, a pack of ambitious masters and rising talents tied with 3.5/5, including:
- Joseph Zeltsan (2508, NY), whose tactical flair kept him in contention until the final round.
- Pranav Swaminathan (2145, VA), one of the standout juniors, scoring wins in three of his five games.
- Kyle Zhuang (2158, VA), another young talent, showing maturity beyond his years.
- CM Tyson Brady (2284, VA), who impressed with wins in rounds 2–4 before falling to Zhou in the finale.
- Vaibhav Robinjith Kalpaka (2231, VA) and Will Moorhouse (2158, VA), both delivering strong all-around performances.
- Veteran GM John Fedorowicz (2425, NY), proving he still has the sharp instincts that once made him a fixture on the U.S. circuit.
That mix of established grandmasters and hungry up-and-comers defined the 2024 edition. It also set the stage for 2025, where Zhou now returns as the defending champion, facing a field that looks even tougher with the arrival of new challengers.
Side Events and Logistics
A Saturday night blitz tournament at 9:30 pm adds extra excitement, with on-site registration closing at 9:10 pm.
Players are encouraged to bring their own sets, boards, and clocks, as none will be provided by the organizers.
Hotel rooms are available at the special chess rate of $169 per night, but early reservations are recommended as the block may sell out. On-site valet parking is $45 per day, with additional public parking options listed at chessevents.us.
Tradition Meets Competition
The Atlantic Open is a US Chess Heritage Event, part of a long line of annual competitions that have shaped American chess culture. For many, it is the highlight of the summer calendar, offering a chance to play in the heart of the nation’s capital while competing for serious prizes.
As the clock ticks toward the opening round on August 22, all eyes will be on Washington, D.C. Can the top-seeded grandmasters hold their ground, or will a young challenger seize the spotlight? The 57th Atlantic Open is ready to provide the answer.
I’m the senior editor of Attacking Chess, a keen chess player, rated above 2300 in chess.com. You can challenge me or asking questions at Chess.com.
