The Washington area will soon welcome a brand-new open tournament for players of all levels—the 1st Annual Washington Dulles Open, taking place November 7–9, 2025, at the Hampton Inn & Suites Dulles in Sterling, Virginia.
Organized by DMV Chess, this exciting event offers a $3,500 guaranteed prize fund, FIDE-rated competition in the top section, and flexible schedules to accommodate both weekend warriors and serious competitors.
Tournament Overview
Venue:
Hampton Inn & Suites Dulles
22700 Holiday Park Drive, Sterling, VA 20166
Dates:
Friday, November 7 – Sunday, November 9, 2025
Prize Fund: $3,500 guaranteed
Registration link: Register here
The event will follow a five-round Swiss format with two schedule options:
- Three-Day Schedule: Friday 7 PM, Saturday 2 PM & 6:30 PM, Sunday 10 AM & 2:30 PM
- Two-Day Schedule: Starts Saturday 11 AM and merges with the three-day schedule for round two
Up to two half-point byes are allowed, and on-site registration closes 30 minutes before the first round begins.
Sections and Ratings
The Dulles Open features three sections:
- Premier (FIDE-rated)
- Under 1800
- Under 1400 (Monrad pairings)
Players may not “play up” more than 100 rating points above their current rating. Both live and published USCF ratings may be used for section placement. Players with FIDE ratings are also eligible for the Premier Section.
Unrated players are welcome in the Under 1400 section. Those wishing to compete in higher sections must obtain permission from the tournament director. Provisional and foreign ratings may be used at the director’s discretion.
To reduce mismatches, the Under 1400 section will use Monrad Swiss pairings, a system designed to pair players with closer rating ranges.
Prize Breakdown
Premier Section
🥇 $1,000 🥈 $400 🥉 $150
Under 1800 Section
🥇 $700 🥈 $300 🥉 $125
Under 1400 Section
🥇 $550 🥈 $200 🥉 $75
Time Control
All rounds use Game in 110 minutes + 10-second increment (G/45;+10 for the first round of the two-day schedule).
A 30-minute forfeit rule applies for late arrivals unless otherwise determined by the tournament director.
Entry Fees
- $97 by October 20
- $107 by October 26
- $117 by November 1
- $125 by November 6
- $135 on/after November 7
Grandmasters play free! (Entry fee deducted from prizes; email josh@dmvchess.com to register.)
Re-entries are allowed in all sections except Premier for a $50 fee.
Boards and pieces will be provided, though players are encouraged to bring their own clocks.
Additional Information
- All sections USCF-rated; Premier Section also FIDE-rated
- Open to all players, regardless of state residency
- Plenty of free parking available at the venue
- Handicap accessible
For questions, contact DMV Chess at josh@dmvchess.com or call 703-609-0499.
More details are available at dmvchess.com.
Ready to play?
Join chess enthusiasts from across the region for a weekend of strategy, competition, and community at the 1st Annual Washington Dulles Open — where a new local chess tradition begins.
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.
