Region III US Chess Tournament Clearing House (MD - DC - VA)

This is the US Chess Tournament Clearinghouse
for the States of Maryland and Virginia and for the District of Columbia

We request the assistance of organizers to submit their events promptly and
follow the
US Chess policy for the Regional Tournament Clearinghouses.

Site Manager: Mike Hoffpauir (Virginia Chess Federation)
Please email your tournament information to me (Mike Hoffpauir).
Mike also scans the online TLAs for MD, DC, and VA to learn about other tournaments, he includes links to them in this listing as his time permits.

Website links to the Region III State Affiliates:  District of Columbia,     Maryland Chess Association,     Virginia Chess Federation.
The DC Chess League is the official state affiliate for the District of Columbia. 

Last updated 09/26/23 05:37:23 AM by Mike Hoffpauir

  Please send me your events ASAP. 

  The Clearninghouse Listings for 2019-2022, and previous months of 2023 are archived.   Click here to view the archives.

"New!" represents listings we've posted in the past 2 weeks.

2023 DC-MD-VA Clearinghouse listing.
Month Starting Date   Event Information
September 2023 Click Here to find any tournament in Maryland in SEPTEMBER 2023
Click Here to find any tournament in Virginia in SEPTEMBER 2023
Click Here to find any tournament in the District of Columbia in SEPTEMBER 2023
Sep 2-4 2023 Virginia Closed Chess Championships. Click here for info about the Main Tournament on Saturday-Monday, Sept 2-4.  Click here for information about the Blitz Tournament. Or simply checkout the VA Chess Federation home page at www.vachess.org
Sep 3 DC September Scholastic Quads. Sunday, Sep 3, at the Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin St. NE, Wash. DC. This is a Quad tournament with Quad Sections being formed in these 5 grade groups: K-1, K-3, K-5, K-8, and K-12!! NO ENTRY FEE. Onsite Check-in 1:00-1:25pm; Round 1 at 1:30pm. Click here for more information. Click here to Register.
Sep 6 - 27 Henrico Chess Academy League. Wednesday evenings from Sept 6-27 in the Community Room of the Crossridge Publix on Staples Mill Road.  5:30-7:30pm, G/25+5 time control. Click here for more information and for registration.
Sep 9 2023 IM Emory Tate World Series of Blitz Skills Challenge. Willard Office Building, 145 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 1125, Wash. DC. $40 Entry. Must enter by Sept 8. More info at this link.
Sep 9 2023 IM Emory Tate Prize for American Scholastic Chess. Willard Office Building, 145 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 1125, Wash. DC. Play is in two (2) sections: Grades 7-12 and Grades K-6. More info at this link.
Sep 9 WCC Quads #61. A Game-70/Delay 10 Quads tournament in Waldorf, MD. 2932 Mattawoman Beantown Road.  Registration onsite 8:30-9:45 am. Rounds at 10, 1:30 and 4:30. Entry is $25.  Info and registration instructions at this link.
Sep 9 DC MetroChess Summer Blast Scholastic Tournament. An over-the-board tournament on Sat, Sept. 9 in Herndon, VA. Location is Herndon MS on Locus St. in Herndon, VA. 4-round Swiss, with Round 1 at 1pm. Four (4) sections: K3, K5, K8, and K12. Trophies for 1st-3rd places in all sections. Click here for more info.
Sep 10 Charm City Chess Club 2023 Fall Action Tournament. A US Chess rated event with 3 sections (Open, U1400, U1000) on Sunday, Sep 10, at 4 West University Parkway, Baltimore, MD. 6 Grand Prix points. See info online at this link.
Sep 16 Edgewood DC En Passant! A scholastic tournament in Washington, DC, for players in grades K-12. Ten (10) sections of play: K-1, K1U400, K3, K3U600, K8, K8U600, K12 and K12U800. Round 1 at 10am. Click here for more info.
Sep 23 Center City PCS-Brightwood Chess Challenge. A scholastic tournament in Washington, DC. Entry Fees based on players' ability to pay. Click here for more info.
Sep 23

ACC's Saturday Action-Plus. 5SS, G/45, d/5. $$1900 prize fund b/50 total entries. 2 Sections. PREMIER  (1600 floor): $600-300-200, U2100 & U1900 $100 each. AMATEUR (U1700): $250-150-100, U1400 & U1200 $50 each. Marriott Residence Inn - Ballston, 650 N. Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22203. Reg.: 9:00-9:45am. Rds.: 10am-12-2:30-4:30-6:30. EF: $60 advance entry on-line and Fridays at the ACC club, or $70 on-site, cash or check (no credit). On-line:  www.arlingtonchessclub.com/PayPal2.html#news2 Contact for info only: accvachess@gmail.com W. NS.

Sep 23 Fairfax County Scholastic (K-8) Quads. Tournament for players in grades K-8 hosted by Magnus Chess Academy on July 8, 2023, at the Pozez Jewish Community Ctr of Northern VA, 8900 Little River Tpke, Fairfax, VA. Click here for more information.
Sep 22 Zofchak Memorial BLITZ. Friday evening, Sept 22, 2023. A VCF Cup event! Venue is the Sleep Inn Lake Wright, 1521 Premium Outlets Blvd, Norfolk VA 23502. Four (4) double-rounds at Game-5, delay 0, Swiss System. All games US Chess rated. NO BYES. Select here for information and registration instuctions.
Sep 23-24 31st David F. Zofchak Memorial. Sat & Sun, Sept 23-24, 2023. A VCF Cup event! Venue is the Sleep Inn Lake Wright, 1521 Premium Outlets Blvd, Norfolk VA 23502. Chess rate for lodging is $89+taxes at the Sleep Inn, or $99+taxes at the adjacent Quality Inn. Must reserve by Sept. 9th to get these rates. Select here for more info and registration instructions.  Blitz on Friday evening, Sept 22, see above.
Sep 29 ACC Friday Blitz.  5-rd Double-Swiss; Time Control: G/5, d0. Prizes based on entries with $100-1st guaranteed. Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, 1500 N Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22207. Reg: 7:00-8:00pm with Rd1: 8:10pm, rest ASAP. EF: $30 ($25 for club members) – cash/check only on-site – NEW: advance entries allowed at club meeting or through website arlingtonchessclub.com  Contact for info only: accvachess@gmail.com, No Smoking.
New!
Sep 30
Floris Chess Tournament. A Scholastic Tournament on Saturday, Sep 30, at Floris Elementary School, 2708 Centreville Rd in Herndon, VA. Five (5) Sections of play: K1, K3, K5, K8, and K12. Entry is $40 by Sep 20, $45 by Sep 27, and $50 after Sep 27. Rounds at 9am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, and 2pm. Time Control is Game-30, with a 5-second delay each move. Get more information at this link.
Sep 30 Maryland Chess Assn. Rockville Quads for K-12 Players. Saturday, Sep 30, organized by Magnus Chess Academy. Game 25, delay-5 time controls.  Games at 6125 Montrose Rd in Rockville, MD.  Event Info and Registration Instructions at this link.
Sep 30 DC Scholastic Kickoff!  Sat. Sep 30 at the Univ. of DC (UDC) Windows Lounge, Bldg 28, 2nd Floor, 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Wash. DC. Free entry, plus opportunities for Free US Chess memberships!!  See all the event info at this link.  Register now at this link.
October 2023 Click Here to find any tournament in Maryland in OCTOBER 2023
Click Here to find any tournament in Virginia in OCTOBER 2023
Click Here to find any tournament in the District of Columbia in OCTOBER 2023
New!
Oct 7
McNair Scholastic Chess Tournament. Sat, Oct 7 at McNair Elementary School, 2499 Thomas Jefferson Dr., Herndon, VA. 4 Sections (K3, K5, K8, K12). Pre-register for $35 by Tuesday, Oct 3; Reg Fee increases to $40 on Wednesday, Oct 4th and 5th. On-site Registration $45. Round 1 at 9AM; On-site registration will close at 8:30AM!  Time control in K3 section is G/30, delay-5. Time Control in the other sections is G/45, delay-5.  Register online and get more tournament information at this link.
Oct 7-9 2023 US Armed Forces Open Chess Championships. Location and details TBD. Open to active duty and retired US military and Coast Guard, Cadets/Midshipman attending any of the U.S. Military Academies, College ROTC Cadets. Special section for "Veterans" open to anyone who served in the US Military and received an honorable discharge.
Oct 5-9, or 7-9 2nd Annual Skyline Open. Being held in Dulles, VA, at the Washington-Dulles Airport Marriott Hotel. $12,500 guaranteed prize fund!  Play is on 5 sections (Open, Under 2100, Under 1800, Under 1500, and Under 1200). Open and U2100 are FIDE-rated, with Norms possible in the Open Section.  Free entry to FIDE-titled players (GM, IM, WGM, WIM). Click here for more information.
Oct 13-14 2023 Walter Muir Memorial Tournament. Friday-Saturday, Oct 13-14 at the Westhampton Christian Church in Roanoke, VA. 5-rounds, one section. Sponsored by the Roanoke Valley Chess Club. Click here for more information.
Oct 13-14 (Place holder) 3rd Annual National Chess Day Tournament. In Bel Air, MD, on Fri-Sat, Oct 13-14.  Details and registration info coming soon
OCT 14 is National Chess Day  --- Get out there and play in a tournament!
Oct 13 & 14 Sports Outreach Chess Tournament in Lanham, MD. All events listed below are at the Washington Education Zone, Miles Hall, 8401 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD.
- Friday, Oct 13: "Informal Chess" from 6-8 pm. No registration necessary! Just stop by, play some chess and make new friends!
- Saturday, Oct 14: Simultaneous Exhibition at 9:30am.
- Saturday, Oct 14: UNRATED Chess Tournament. Beginner and "Open" sections. Time Control is Game-25 with 5 seconds of increment per move. Sign-up at the tournament site by 12:30pm to play in Round 1 (1 pm). Trophies. BRING YOUR OWN BOARD AND CLOCK!
More information on these events at this link.
Oct 14 1st Annual Annapolis National Chess Day Tournament. A Scholastic Tournament for players in grades K-12 at the American Legion Cook-Pinkney Post 141, 1707 Forest Drive, Annapolis, MD. Sections: K-1, K-3, K-5, K-8, and K-12. Read more at this link.
Oct 14 National Chess Day at ACC's Saturday Action-Plus. 5SS, G/45, d/5. $$1900 prize fund b/50 total entries. 2 Sections. PREMIER  (1600 floor): $600-300-200, U2100 & U1900 $100 each. AMATEUR (U1700): $250-150-100, U1400 & U1200 $50 each. Marriott Residence Inn - Ballston, 650 N. Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22203. Reg.: 9:00-9:45am. Rds.: 10am-12-2:30-4:30-6:30. EF: $60 advance entry on-line and Fridays at the ACC club, or $70 on-site, cash or check (no credit). On-line:  www.arlingtonchessclub.com/PayPal2.html#news2 Contact for info only: accvachess@gmail.com W. NS.
Oct 14 National Chess Day Scholastic and Quads at the Meadowdale Public Library. Come out and play on Sat. Oct 14 in N. Chesterfield, VA at the Meadowdale Public Library. Scholastic Tournament with 4 sections, including 2 sections that are NOT US Chess rated; plus, a Quad event for Adults and Schoalstic players rated over 1200. For more information go to the VA Chess Home Page. This is a popular tournament, so come join the fun!!
Oct 14 6th Annual All Women & Girls Regional Chess Tournament. Sat. Oct 14, 2023, at the Washington Hilton Hotel, 1919 Connecticut Ave, Wash. DC. 4 Sections to play in: Open/Women, Girls Under 16 years old (U16), U12, and U10 (Age as of Jan 1, 2023). Cash prizes. Round 1 at 9am. More Info at chessempowersgirls.org.
Oct 20 ACC Friday Blitz.  5-rd Double-Swiss; Time Control: G/5, d0. Prizes based on entries with $100-1st guaranteed. Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, 1500 N Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22207. Reg: 7:00-8:00pm with Rd1: 8:10pm, rest ASAP. EF: $30 ($25 for club members) – cash/check only on-site – NEW: advance entries allowed at club meeting or through website arlingtonchessclub.com  Contact for info only: accvachess@gmail.com, No Smoking.
Oct 20-22 Washington Chess Congress. At the Sheraton Reston Hotel in Reston, VA. Organized by the Continental Chess Association. 5 Rounds, 40/80, SD/30, d30. 2-day and 3-day schedules with play in 6 Sections. Top 2 sections are FIDE rated. Get more information at this link.
Oct 28 MCA Arlington Quads for K-12 Players. US Chess rated Quads on Sat. Oct 28 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Blvd. Time Control is G/25,d5. First set of Quads at 10AM, with more Quads at 1PM. Click here for more information.  
Oct 28 Fairfax County Scholastic (K-8) Quads. Tournament for players in grades K-8 hosted by Magnus Chess Academy on July 8, 2023, at the Pozez Jewish Community Ctr of Northern VA, 8900 Little River Tpke, Fairfax, VA. Click here for more information.
Oct 27-29 2023 Fredericksburg Open. Main event is Sat & Sun, Oct 28-29, with Blitz on Friday evening. 3 Sections of play--Championship, Under 1800, and Under 1200. $4,000 prize fund with 1st-3rd places GUARANTEED in all sections. Location is the Country Inn & Suites Fredericksburg South, in Fredericksburg, VA. Organized and run by the VA Chess Federation. Click here for Blitz info.  Click here for Main Event info.  Click here to make your Lodging reservations, rate is $89/nite + taxes through Oct 20.  Register online at www.vachess.org.
November 2023 Nov 3 - 4
Save the Dates
1st Annual Virginia Online Scholastic & College Chess Championships. Friday night and Saturday, Nov 3-4, 2023. This is an ONLINE tournament that is US Chess rated. Online Platform TBD.  Blitz tournament on Friday evening. Quick-rated tournament on Saturday.  Round times and time controls TBD.
Nov 10 ACC Friday Blitz.  5-rd Double-Swiss; Time Control: G/5, d0. Prizes based on entries with $100-1st guaranteed. Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, 1500 N Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22207. Reg: 7:00-8:00pm with Rd1: 8:10pm, rest ASAP. EF: $30 ($25 for club members) – cash/check only on-site – NEW: advance entries allowed at club meeting or through website arlingtonchessclub.com  Contact for info only: accvachess@gmail.com, No Smoking.
Nov 11 Fairfax County Scholastic (K-8) Quads. Tournament for players in grades K-8 hosted by Magnus Chess Academy on July 8, 2023, at the Pozez Jewish Community Ctr of Northern VA, 8900 Little River Tpke, Fairfax, VA. Click here for more information.
Nov 17-19
Save the Dates
2023 Northern Virginia Open. Friday night thru Sunday, Nov 17-19, 2023. Round 1 on Friday evening. 5 Rounds, Open and Amateur (U1800) are FIDE Rated. Novice (U1200) Section is Saturday and Sunday only, US Chess rated. More at www.vachess.org by July.
Nov 18 ACC's Saturday Action-Plus. 5SS, G/45, d/5. $$1900 prize fund b/50 total entries. 2 Sections. PREMIER  (1600 floor): $600-300-200, U2100 & U1900 $100 each. AMATEUR (U1700): $250-150-100, U1400 & U1200 $50 each. Marriott Residence Inn - Ballston, 650 N. Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22203. Reg.: 9:00-9:45am. Rds.: 10am-12-2:30-4:30-6:30. EF: $60 advance entry on-line and Fridays at the ACC club, or $70 on-site, cash or check (no credit).
On-line:  
www.arlingtonchessclub.com/PayPal2.html#news2 Contact for info only: accvachess@gmail.com W. NS.
December 2023 Dec 2 Eastern Chess Association December 2023 Action/Scholastic Tournament. A 1-day event to be held in Glen Allen, VA, at the Hilton Garden Inn on Saturday, Dec 2nd. Details will be posted as soon as they are available.  For info you can contact easternchessdirector@gmail.com.
Dec 2 Baltimore County Scholastic Quads. This is a US Chess rated quads style chess tournament. Each player is placed in a group of 4 players according to their age and rating. Each participant then plays one game against each of the other three players in their group. At the end of the third game, the winner of each group receives a trophy. For new players and players rated under 1000, quads typically finish in about 60-90 minutes. For players rated over 1000, quads typically take 90-120 minutes. Quads can take as long as 3 hours, although that is rare. Games are 25 minutes with a 5 second delay for each player, for players using clocks. Players can play in quads in the morning at 10am, the afternoon at 1pm, or both! Click here for more info.
Dec 8 ACC Friday Blitz.  5-rd Double-Swiss; Time Control: G/5, d0. Prizes based on entries with $100-1st guaranteed. Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, 1500 N Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22207. Reg: 7:00-8:00pm with Rd1: 8:10pm, rest ASAP. EF: $30 ($25 for club members) – cash/check only on-site – NEW: advance entries allowed at club meeting or through website arlingtonchessclub.com  Contact for info only: accvachess@gmail.com, No Smoking.
Dec 9 6th Black Knights Chess Championships. At 4301 Connecticut Ave NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC. 5 Round, $80 early entry fee, $100 entry fee at the door. All players compete in one section with Class and Place awards (cash and trophies). Details at this link.
Dec 16 MCA Arlington Quads for K-12 Players. This is a US Chess rated quads style chess tournament. Each player is placed in a group of 4 players according to their age and rating. Each participant then plays one game against each of the other three players in their group. At the end of the third game, the winner of each group receives a trophy. Quads typically finish in 1-2 hours, but can potentially take as long as 3 hours, although that is rare. Games are 25 minutes with a 5 second delay for each player, for players using clocks. Select this link for more information.
Dec 16 ACC's Saturday Action-Plus. 5SS, G/45, d/5. $$1900 prize fund b/50 total entries. 2 Sections. PREMIER  (1600 floor): $600-300-200, U2100 & U1900 $100 each. AMATEUR (U1700): $250-150-100, U1400 & U1200 $50 each. Marriott Residence Inn - Ballston, 650 N. Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22203. Reg.: 9:00-9:45am. Rds.: 10am-12-2:30-4:30-6:30. EF: $60 advance entry on-line and Fridays at the ACC club, or $70 on-site, cash or check (no credit). On-line:  www.arlingtonchessclub.com/PayPal2.html#news2 Contact for info only: accvachess@gmail.com W. NS.
Dec 26-29 48th Annual Eastern Open. 150 Grand Prix Points!  At the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City, VA. $30,000 in guaranteed prizes in 6 sections of play!  Get details at this link.
Dec 28 Eastern Open BLITZ. Thursday night during the Eastern Open (see the Clearing House entry above this one). 4 double rounds (2 games per round) at a time control of 3 minutes with 2 seconds of increment per move. $500 in guaranteed prizes. Round 1 is at 9:30pm. Get more information at this link.
-- 2024 --
January 2024 Jan 5-7 2024 Virginia Open. Friday-Sunday, Jan 5-7, 2024 at the Washington Dulles Marriott. 3 Sections of Play--Championship, Under 1800, and Under 1200.  $6,050 in Prizes, with 1st-3rd Places GUARANTEED in all 3 sections. Championship and U1800 sections are FIDE-rated and US Chess rated.  Under 1200 Section is US Chess Rated. Round 1 at 7:30pm on Friday in the Champ. and U1800 sections.  Round 1 on Saturday at 10am in the U1200 Section. 
Jan 6 Fairfax County Scholastic (K-8) Quads. Tournament for players in grades K-8 hosted by Magnus Chess Academy on July 8, 2023, at the Pozez Jewish Community Ctr of Northern VA, 8900 Little River Tpke, Fairfax, VA. Click here for more information.
February 2024 Feb 3 MCA Arlington Quads for K-12 Players. This is a US Chess rated quads style chess tournament. Each player is placed in a group of 4 players according to their age and rating. Each participant then plays one game against each of the other three players in their group. At the end of the third game, the winner of each group receives a trophy. Quads typically finish in 1-2 hours, but can potentially take as long as 3 hours, although that is rare. Games are 25 minutes with a 5 second delay for each player, for players using clocks. Select this link for more information.
Feb 24 Eastern Chess Association February 2024 Action/Scholastic Tournament. A 1-day event to be held in Glen Allen, VA, at the Hilton Garden Inn on Saturday, Feb. 24th. Details will be posted as soon as they are available.  For info you can contact easternchessdirector@gmail.com.
Feb 24 Fairfax County Scholastic (K-8) Quads. Tournament for players in grades K-8 hosted by Magnus Chess Academy on July 8, 2023, at the Pozez Jewish Community Ctr of Northern VA, 8900 Little River Tpke, Fairfax, VA. Click here for more information.
March 2024 Mar 2-3 or 9-10 2023-24 Virginia Scholastic & College Chess Championships. To be held in Roanoke, VA, on the first or second weekend of March 2024. Watch for details at www.vachess.org. Tournament determines who will represent the Commonwealth of VA at the National Invitationals for High School, Jr. High, Elementary School, and our Top Girl. In 2024, those invitational tournaments will be held in Norfolk, VA.
Mar 2 MCA Rockville Quads for K-12 Players. This is a US Chess rated quads style chess tournament. Each player is placed in a group of 4 players according to their age and rating. Each participant then plays one game against each of the other three players in their group. At the end of the third game, the winner of each group receives a trophy. Quads typically finish in 1-2 hours, but can potentially take as long as 3 hours, although that is rare. Games are 25 minutes with a 5 second delay for each player, for players using clocks. Select this link for more information.
Mar 23 MCA Arlington Quads for K-12 Players. This is a US Chess rated quads style chess tournament. Each player is placed in a group of 4 players according to their age and rating. Each participant then plays one game against each of the other three players in their group. At the end of the third game, the winner of each group receives a trophy. Quads typically finish in 1-2 hours, but can potentially take as long as 3 hours, although that is rare. Games are 25 minutes with a 5 second delay for each player, for players using clocks. Select this link for more information.
Mar 28-31 5th Colonial Open. Mark your calendar. Details coming later. Organized and run by Capital Area Chess. Venue is the Washington-Dulles Airport Marriott in Dulles, VA.
April 2024 Apr 6 Fairfax County Scholastic (K-8) Quads. Tournament for players in grades K-8 hosted by Magnus Chess Academy on July 8, 2023, at the Pozez Jewish Community Ctr of Northern VA, 8900 Little River Tpke, Fairfax, VA. Click here for more information.
Apr 27 MCA Arlington Quads for K-12 Players. This is a US Chess rated quads style chess tournament. Each player is placed in a group of 4 players according to their age and rating. Each participant then plays one game against each of the other three players in their group. At the end of the third game, the winner of each group receives a trophy. Quads typically finish in 1-2 hours, but can potentially take as long as 3 hours, although that is rare. Games are 25 minutes with a 5 second delay for each player, for players using clocks. Select this link for more information.
May 2024 May 4 MCA Arlington Quads for K-12 Players. This is a US Chess rated quads style chess tournament. Each player is placed in a group of 4 players according to their age and rating. Each participant then plays one game against each of the other three players in their group. At the end of the third game, the winner of each group receives a trophy. Quads typically finish in 1-2 hours, but can potentially take as long as 3 hours, although that is rare. Games are 25 minutes with a 5 second delay for each player, for players using clocks. Select this link for more information.
May 18 Fairfax County Scholastic (K-8) Quads. Tournament for players in grades K-8 hosted by Magnus Chess Academy on July 8, 2023, at the Pozez Jewish Community Ctr of Northern VA, 8900 Little River Tpke, Fairfax, VA. Click here for more information.
May 22-27 11th Cherry Blossom Classic. Details coming later this year. Organized and run by Capital Area Chess. Venue is the Washington-Dulles Airport Marriott in Dulles, VA. Includes FIDE-rated sections, with the Open Section being Norm-capable.
June 2024 Jun 1 MCA Arlington Quads for K-12 Players. This is a US Chess rated quads style chess tournament. Each player is placed in a group of 4 players according to their age and rating. Each participant then plays one game against each of the other three players in their group. At the end of the third game, the winner of each group receives a trophy. Quads typically finish in 1-2 hours, but can potentially take as long as 3 hours, although that is rare. Games are 25 minutes with a 5 second delay for each player, for players using clocks. Select this link for more information.