3rd Piedmont Open
November 6-8 2026
$4600.00 guaranteed prizes!!
A VCF Cup Event- VCF membership required for Virginia players. Join or renew at https://www.vachess.org
US Chess Membership required for all sections.
FIDE ID Required for Open Section. If you do not have one please fill out the the following form prior to tournament:
https://forms.gle/fCCTis7WgtJEb2rv6
!!BOARDS AND PIECES PROVIDED, BUT PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN CLOCK!!
Hotel and Playing Site: Hilton Garden Inn, 4050 Cox Road, Glen Allen, Va 23060- about 15 minutes from Richmond. HOTEL RATE INCLUDES BREAKFAST FOR 2! Many restaurants within very easy walking distance. MUST BOOK BY OCT. 16TH-Book at link below:
Sections/time controls/schedule:
December USCF Rating Supplement used
Open- FIDE rules- FIDE and US Chess rated. 5 rounds, G/100;+30. No unrateds in Open Section. Must have a peak post-tournament rating of 1600 USCF within the last 2 years to play in this section. Round times- Fri.- 7pm, Sat- 11 am and 4:30 pm. and Sunday- 10 am and 3:30 pm. 30 minute default/no-show rule. 1 half point bye by request 1 hour prior to start of round 2.
U1700- US Chess rules and US Chess rated only. Unrateds welcome in this section. All other info(schedules, time controls, etc.) same as Open Section
U1100- Saturday and Sunday only! US Chess rules and US Chess rated only. 5 rounds G/60;+10. Round times. Saturday 11 am, 3 pm, 6 pm, Sunday- 10 am and 2 pm. Default/no show rule same as other sections. 1 half point bye available by request 1 hour prior to start of round 2
Scholastic 1 Day Event(Saturday Only)-Section- U800(USCF membership required) . 4 Rounds G/25;d5. ASAP Pairings with first round starting at 11 am. Trophies to Top 3 . Medals to even scores. 1 half point bye by request prior to start of round 2
Re-entry- players who lose round 1 can re-enter tournament for $40 after Round 1 and recieve a 1/2 point bye for round 1. Player may not take any other 1/2 point byes.
Guaranteed Prizes- Open- 1st-3rd- $1100, $650, $350, Top U1800- $100. U1700-1st-3rd- $700,$350,$200, biggest upset $50. U1100- 1st-3rd- $575,$325,$150, biggest upset $50. Unrateds limited to $150 in prize winnings.
Entry Fees- free entries to GM, IM,FM,WGM,WIM,WFM if registered by 10/23/2026(entry deducted from prize winnings). Open,U1700,U1100: $105 through 10/28/26, $130 through 11/2/26, $145 after and onsite.Scholastic-$35 through 10/28/26,$40 through 11/2/26,$45 after and onsite. Onsite payments- Cash, Credit, Venmo, PayPal. Online registration closes 11/05/2026 at midnight.No refunds after start of round 1. Onsite registration closes 30 minutes prior to Round 1 in order to be paired for round 1.Withdrawals will be refunded minus non refundable charges we incur(usually a few dollars)
Blitz Side Event: Saturday night: approximate start time is 9:00 pm. Register:
https://www.kingregistration.com/event/3rdPiedmontblitz
Contact- Chief TD/Arbiter: National Tournament Director/Fide Arbiter and Virginia Chess Federation President Robbie Jackson- easternchessdirector@gmail.com, 757-416-2075(call/text)