MVP Chess Blitz

A Grandmasters Screening Event

Join MVP Chess for a special blitz tournament celebrating the release of Grandmasters, the new documentary screening at select AMC theaters. Play four rounds of 3+2 blitz in Old Town Alexandria, then head to nearby AMC Hoffman Center 22 for the 6:00 PM screening!

Grandmasters features some of the biggest names and stories in chess, including Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Wesley So, Hans Niemann, Danny Rensch, and more.

🎬 Watch the Grandmasters Trailer

🎟️ Purchase Tickets

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Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Venue: The Link in Old Town, 215 North Payne Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Organizer: MVP Chess is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Alexandria, VA. Our mission is to make chess accessible for everyone and develop growth-minded players. For questions, please email info@mvpchess.org.

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🎬 Tournament & Screening

• The Red Carpet Blitz is being held in connection with the theatrical release of Grandmasters.

• After the tournament, players and families are invited to head to AMC Hoffman Center 22 for the 6:00 PM screening.

• Participation in the screening is optional.

• Movie tickets are separate and must be purchased in advance.

• Chess.com is supporting participating local events with promotion and Chess.com Diamond Membership prizes.

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Entry & Donations

• This tournament is FREE for all US Chess members.

• An active US Chess membership is required. You can join or renew here.

• The event is limited to 20 players, so please register in advance to secure your spot.

• We welcome voluntary donations to help cover the cost of room rental and other tournament-related expenses.

• All contributions are tax-deductible and may be made online or onsite at the event.

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Format

• 4 rounds using Swiss-system pairings

• Time control: 3+2 (3 minutes per player plus a 2-second increment per move)

• US Chess blitz rated

• Non-elimination, so all players play all four rounds regardless of results

• Live ratings used for pairings

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Prizes

💎 Chess.com Diamond Memberships

📊 Ties will be broken first by head-to-head result, then by Modified Median, Solkoff, Cumulative, and Opposition Cumulative, in that order.

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Schedule

• 4:45 PM: Check-in

• 5:00 PM: Round 1

• Subsequent rounds begin as soon as the prior round finishes

• By 5:45 PM: Expected tournament finish

• 6:00 PM: Grandmasters screening at AMC Hoffman Center 22

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Rules & Expectations

• US Chess rules apply

• Notation is optional

• Chess sets and clocks provided

• Parents/guardians should stay on-site during the event

• Please show respect for opponents, staff, and the venue

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Media Policy

• MVP Chess may take photos or short video clips for educational and promotional purposes.

• Names will not be published without consent. If you prefer not to be photographed, simply let us or the photographer know.

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Parking & Metro Access

• Onsite parking lot available

• Free street parking available nearby

• King St–Old Town Metro (Blue/Yellow Lines) nearby