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:
November 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
By registering for or attending this event, you grant the organizer the right to take photographs and audio/video recordings during the tournament. These images and recordings may be used by the organizer in future promotional materials, social media, tournament recaps, and official publications (online and in print).
If you or a minor under your care have specific privacy concerns, please contact the Chief Tournament Director or Organizer prior to the start of Round 1.
Contact- Chief TD/Arbiter: National Tournament Director/Fide Arbiter and Virginia Chess Federation President Robbie Jackson- easternchessdirector@gmail.com, 757-416-2075(call/text)