12th Annual Chesapeake Open GPP:50

January 17-20, 18-20, 2020 

Rockville, Maryland

Championship, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600: 7SS, Rnd 1 Game/90+inc/30, Rnds 2-7 40/90, SD/30 inc/30 from move 1, (Three-day schedule: Rnds 1-2 Game/45 inc/30)
U1300 and U1000: 7SS, Game/90 d/5, (Rnds 1-2 Game/45 d/5), (Two-day schedule: Rnds 1-4 Game/25 d/5)

Playing Site
North Bethesda Marriott, 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville, MD 20852

We aim to create a pleasant environment for playing chess. Below are the answers we received at last year's tournaments to the question of what do we do better than other tournaments.
(click to zoom)

See pictures from this year's Chesapeake Open

See pictures from last year's Chesapeake Open

New This Year!

• Championship Section will be using place-based prizes.
• Tournament returns to the remodeled Bethesda North Marriott

Tournament Features

• We pair rounds as early as possible and start rounds on time→ You have time to get ready and don't have to waste your time waiting for the round to start
• 30" increment time control in the top five sections → No more clock smashing scrambles at the end of the game.
• Score-based prizes → See the advantages below.
• Additional 1st place prizes to clear first when there is no 7-0 player in the section, added to your score prize→ More prize money
• Clocks, sets, and boards provided in all sections → All you need to do is show up.
• Minimum 2000 rating to play in the Championship section → Less mismatch games.
• Free Monday morning Continental breakfast → Relax, have some coffee and a danish before you start your game.
• Texting or emailing of pairings to your cell phone available (see Dec. 2011 Chess Life) → No rush at the pairing chart before the round
• Free Day guest parking → Don't worry about where you have to park your car.
• $89/night room rate  → Relax and stay at the tournament hotel. $5 EF discount if staying at hotel. Reserve a room
• Hotel next to DC Metro stop→ Take the Metro directly to the tournament.
• Shorter time controls in lower sections → Less waiting around between rounds.

Prizes

Championship Prizes (Guaranteed) (FIDE)

1st - $1000
2nd - $550
3rd  - $250

Under 2400

1st -$500
2nd - $300

This tournament will pay prizes in all but the top section based solely on your final score. All the prizes are guaranteed. 

Advantages over place-based scoring

Less Waiting

Your score determines your prize. Once you finish your last game, you can receive a check.

Less Uncertainty

Your prize does not get lowered if others tie with you. For example, if there are two 7-0 players, both receive the full amount for 7-0.

Less short draws

The total payout is always higher when games are decisive.

Unrated may enter any section, but may not win over $100 in U1000, $200 U1300, $400 U1600. Balance goes to player(s) with same score or is divided among players in next lower score group.

Results from this year's Chesapeake Open, over $13,000 in prizes were paid!

Results from last year's Chesapeake Open, over $15,000 in prizes were paid!

Results from all previous Chesapeake Opens

Entrance Fees

Early (online or mail by 1/3) $119
Regular (online or mail by 1/14) $129
Late (online by 1/16) $134
At-the-door (cash or credit card) $140. We'll be using Square to process credit cards.

Cancelations will receive a 100% refund if we are notified at least 2 hours before start of the 1st round.

Special Entrance Fees

Under 1300 section: all entrance fees $35 less.
Under 1000: all entrance fees $60 less.
Free early entrance to GMs. $50 will be subtracted from any prizes.
$45 discount EF for IMs. $20 will be subtracted from any prizes.

$5 discount if staying at hotel.

Register

Mail Registrations to:
Michael Regan
1827 Thornton Ridge Road
Towson, MD 21204

Mailed registrations should include name, section, schedule(2-day or 3-day). The chief TD for the tournament will be Mike Regan. If you have any questions about the tournament email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Champ - U1600 4-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 7 pm, rds Fri 8 pm, Saturday 11am and 6, Sunday 11am and 6, Monday 9:30am and 3:30.
Champ - U1600 3-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Saturday 11am, 2:15 and 6, Sunday 11am and 6, Monday 9:30am and 3:30.
U1300 and U1000 3-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Saturday 11, 1 and 3:00, Sunday 11am and 3pm, Monday 9:30am and 12:45pm.
U1300 and U1000 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sun 9am, Sunday 10, 11:15, 12:30, 1:45, and 3:00, Monday 9:30am and 12:45pm.

Half point byes: all must commit before rd 3

Reentries: all, $90 except U1000 and U1300 $50. You can reenter any schedule taking 1/2 point byes for unplayed games. If you reenter with a single 1/2 point bye, the cost is $80/$45. If you reenter with two 1/2 point byes, the cost is $70/$40.

Hotel Rates: $89 per night! $5 EF discount if staying at hotel. Reserve a Room

Rooms are limited.

So make your reservations early. 

Parking Information

Parking is free for day guests and $10/night for overnight guests. 

Rule Variations 

• In sections that the organizer provides clocks, if both players are not present at the start of the round, the tournament director will start white's clock.
• Clocks that halt on end are preferred in all sections with increment time controls.
• Any player forfeiting a round must pay a $50 fine before being allowed to play in a future tournament organized by MCA or Baltimore Chess.
• At this point in time, the electronic score keeping device, ChessNoteR, cannot be used at this tournament.
• All players with provisional ratings will have 100 points added to their rating for determining section eligibility
• Players with byes who are eligible to play in a lower section that also has a bye player may get paired in that section as a house player. They will still have the bye for standings in their original section. The game in the lower section does count for standings and must be played.