ee
Registration coming soon!
Contact: events@charlottechesscenter.org
OVERVIEW
The Charlotte Chess Center will organize a Winter Elite Camp, December 29, 2026 - January 2, 2027, just after the North American Junior Championship and Charlotte Winter Classic. This camp provides 25+ hours of the highest level of instruction available, including supervised training games, analysis, and three classroom sessions daily. The Charlotte Winter Elite Camp will be led by top Grandmaster trainers.
Many former Charlotte Elite campers have gone on to become GMs and IMs.
WHEN
Tuesday, December 29, 2026 - Saturday, January 2, 2027
Campers are strongly encouraged to couple the camp with the North American Junior Championship and Charlotte Winter Classic, held just prior to camp at the same venue.
WHERE
Hilton Garden Inn – Southpark (Official Venue)
4808 Sharon Road
Charlotte, NC 28210
(704) 362-5080
HOTEL BOOKING
Both hotel options attached to the playing venue.
Email us if the booking links are not showing the correct rate.
Free internet, free parking
Hilton Garden Inn – Southpark
$134/night for King or $149 for 2 Queens
Homewood Suites – Southpark
$152/night for King suite with sofa bed
Free Breakfast
INSTRUCTORS
2025 instructors show below - 2026 instructors to be confirmed soon!
GM RB Ramesh
Grandmaster and FIDE Senior Trainer
Former British Champion and Commonwealth Champion
One of the world’s top chess trainers and authors with 20+ years of experience
Former coach of Indian men and women’s national teams
Trainer of GM Praggnanandhaa (Peak World Rank #4, 2024 and 2026 FIDE Candidate)
GM Arturs Neiksans
5-time Latvian Chess Champion and 7-time Olympic team member
Participated in 2021 FIDE Grand Swiss and 2025 FIDE World Cup
FIDE Trainer and chess coach of GM Nikita Meshkovs, GM Toms Kantans, and IM Levy Rozman
Chess author, course creator, and commentator
Peak ratings 2694 USCF and 2631 FIDE
GM Aryan Tari
2-time Norwegian Chess Champion and 5-time Olympic team member
2017 World Junior (U20) Champion
Trainer/second of Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana
Competed in 2025 FIDE World Cup
Peak FIDE rating 2672 (World #70, Norway #2)
Current World #88
Has defeated many top players including Magnus Carlsen, Alireza Firouzja, and Ian Nepomniachtchi
ELIGIBILITY
Due to the high level of chess and maturity required for this camp, there is a minimum student age of 11 years old.
There is a minimum USCF/FIDE peak rating requirement of 1600.
Please do not register if you do not meet both of the requirements.
Adults rated 1600+ are welcome, with the understanding that camp enrollment will primarily be U18.
Returning campers (previous Elite Camp or Winter Elite Camp attendees are eligible to register.
The average age of camp is expected to be ~12-13.
Prospective students who do not quite meet the rating or age requirements should email us to join the waitlist.
Groups are assigned based on age, rating, and experience.
SCHEDULE
Time | Activity |
8:45 - 9:00am | Arrival at Hotel |
9:00 - 10:15am | Unrated Training Game |
10:15 - 11:45am | Game Analysis with Instructors |
11:45am - 12:45pm | Lunch Break |
12:45 - 2:00pm | Class with Instructor 1 |
2:00 - 2:30pm | Break |
2:30 - 3:45pm | Class with Instructor 2 |
3:45 - 4:15pm | Break |
4:15 - 5:30pm | Class with Instructor 3 |
Evening | See Optional Evening Activities Below |
Each day, each group meets with all 3 instructors for 75 minutes each, plus a game analysis session for over 5 hours of daily training.
There is no evening activity on Friday - camp ends at 5:30pm Saturday, January 2.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
All evening activities included in camper entry fee.
Day | Time | Activity | Open To |
|---|---|---|---|
Mon 12/29 | 5:45 - 7:00pm | Simul | Elite Campers |
Tues 12/30 | 6:00 - 7:00pm | GM Lecture | Elite Campers + CCC Members |
Wed 12/31 | 5:45 - 7:00pm | Camp Blitz Tournament | Elite Campers |
Thu 1/1 | 6:00 - 7:00pm | GM Lecture | Elite Campers + CCC Members |
LUNCH
Students should pack their own lunch. There are many restaurants and a Whole Foods within walking distance.
TUITION
$1595
SPECIAL NOTES
DISCOUNTS
Limit 1 discount per camper.
GMs and IMs: $500 Discount
Campers who attended 2026 Summer Elite Camp: $300 Discount
Players currently rated 2300+ USCF: $300 Discount
Need-based Scholarships: the CCC offers limited, confidential assistance to prospective campers with a demonstrable need for financial assistance as our Elite Camp budget allows.
Campers who qualify for discounted camp entry or those who would like to apply for a scholarship should email events@charlottechesscenter.org
CANCELLATIONS
Refund minus $200 penalty for withdrawals until November 20.
Refund minus $500 penalty for withdrawals until December 15.
No refunds after December 15.
OTHER ITEMS
The CCC is not responsible for student supervision outside the hours of camp.
During main camp hours, only campers and staff may be in the classrooms. Parents, siblings, and guests may not "sit in" on camp.
Campers will receive files/notes from instructors and a camp t-shirt.
Campers should pack lunch daily or arrange for delivery/take-out options.
The host hotel has a full restaurant and bar.
Many good options within walking distance.