54th annual WORLD OPEN:

Under 1200 and Under 1000 sections

June 26-28, 2026  

GUARANTEED PRIZES: $17,000 in these two lower sections
(See separate July 1-5 web page flyer for the six other higher sections with $208,000 guaranteed prizes)

NEW LOCATION IN WASHINGTON, DC!

This year the World Open visits Washington, DC at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The National Zoo is an 11-minute walk, and the city is home to many historic and cultural landmarks, including the US Capitol, the White House, the Smithsonian, the National Gallery, National Mall,  theaters, restaurants and world-class shopping.


9 rounds at:

The Omni Shoreham Hotel,

2500 Calvert Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

About one block from the Red Line Woodley Park/Zoo Metro Station

 (Hotel phone: 202-234-0700)

Use This Link For World Open Hotel Reservations At The Omni Hotel, the Tournament site (see below also for more hotel information)


 

Under 1200 and Under 1000 Sections: June 26-28, G/60, d10.  Players in U1200 and U1000 sections may also enter the top 6 sections July 1-5, but this is not a re-entry.

CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE OF FREE GRANDMASTER LECTURES AND GAMES REVIEW  (TO BE UPDATED)

 

RATINGS: June official USCF ratings are used for the U1200 and U1000 sections. Players cannot play below their USCF Regular Online Rating – 100 points. Unofficial or Regular Online uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. 

Players must disclose foreign, FIDE and other over the board ratings, and these ratings, adjusted if necessary, may be used if higher than USCF. Over the board ratings such as club, league, scholastic, state or province, etc, adjusted if appropriate, may be used at our discretion if above USCF. 

No rating below the latest official USCF rating, on the list corresponding to the ending date of the tournament, will be used. Click here for more important rating details.  


UNDER 1200 PRIZES: $4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-400-300-300-300.
UNDER 1000 PRIZES: $2000-1000-700-500-400-300-300-200-200-200.

MIXED DOUBLES BONUS PRIZES: $500-300-200.
Best male+female 2-player combined team score in U1200 plus U1000 sections. Same section not required, register at site before both players begin Round 2, no extra fee. Limit one Mixed Doubles team per player. At least one member on the team must be rated; teams including an unrated limited to $300 (other prize limits do not apply to Mixed Doubles Team prizes).

 

PRIZE LIMITS FOR UNDER 1200 AND UNDER 1000 SECTIONS:                 

 1) If any post-event Regular OTB or Regular Online rating posted 6/24/25-6/24/26, or current Regular Online rating, is more than 40 points over section maximum, prize limit $1000. 

2) Under 26 lifetime OTB regular rated games as of June 2026 official list cannot win over $500 in U1000, $1000 in U1200. Games rated too late for June 2026 official list not counted toward 26 game total.

3) Unrated limits:  U1000 $200, U1200 $400. 

4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next eligible player(s) in line.


Entry fee, online at chessaction.com:
Under 1200:
$218 by 5/15, $228 by 6/23, $250 online or at site until 12 noon 6/26.
Under 1000:
$118 by 5/15, $128 by 6/23, $150 online or at site until 12 noon 6/26.
No checks, credit cards OK.

Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from U1200 or U1000 to Under 1400 or above. Re-enter at least an hour before next round.

USCF Membership Required. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid online with CCA tournament entry: Adult $54, Senior (age 65+) $48, Young Adult $33, Youth $24.

 

PLAYING SCHEDULE
Friday, 6/26: 1 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm;
Saturday, 6/27: 11 am, 2 pm, 5 pm;
Sunday, 6/28: 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm


Half point byes OK all, limit 3 (limit 2 in last 4 rounds), must commit before round 4.

Foreign player ratings           Prizewinner tax info           CCA electronic devices policies     

      

Cellphone, electronic device & anti-cheating rules: see www.devicerules.com. Players must cooperate with a search for electronic devices if requested by Director (refusal to do warrants removal from tournament with no refund). Not all electronic scoresheets are allowed.


Hotel rates: $169-169-169-169. Reserve early, the Chess block may sell out by early June or before.

Use This Link For World Open Hotel Reservations At The Omni Hotel (Tournament Site)

Room or travel sharing: Post a request to share on the USCF Forums. If you have difficulty posting, email director@chess.us and we will try to post your request for you.

Parking: Omni Hotel Chess valet parking is about $45/day (subject to availability).  We will post possible alternate off-site parking options at chessevents.us closer to the tournament.

Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. 


Enter online: chessaction.com. No mailed entries. $15 service charge for refunds. 

Questions: chesstour.com, chessevents.us,  email: Director@Chess.US.

Entries posted at chessaction.com (click "entry list" after entering).

Prizes not claimed at site
usually paid through PayPal (may take about 3 weeks).

Bring set, board, clock
if possible-
none supplied.

 

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