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2023 CAROLINAS CLASSIC

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FORMAT

The 7th Annual Carolinas Classic features an increased $15,000 guaranteed prize fund in 10 sections and a FREE $1,000 Blitz Tournament for all participants! Enjoy your stay at the lakeside Hilton Charlotte University Place. Take a walk on the lake, shop, dine and more. 

 

In addition to the main events and side events, participants may engage with special guest GM Sam Shankland who will lead Q&A's, blitz challenges, game analysis, and more throughout the event! Former World Champion, GM Veselin Topalov, and world renowned trainer GM Jacob Aagaard will also be present and hold a book signing/autograph session on Sunday of the event. 

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Organized just prior to the Charlotte Chess Center's Elite Camp (June 12-16 at the same hotel venue)

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Online registration is open - see registration link at bottom of the page.

 

WHEN

Main Event

June 9-11, 2023

Various playing schedules available

 

Side Events

K-12 Scholastic and Blitz Side Events - June 10

 

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WHERE

Hilton Charlotte University Place

8629 J M Keynes Drive

Charlotte, NC 28262

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HOTEL BOOKING

$115/Night - Free Internet, Parking

Booking Link - Reserve by May 20

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REGISTRATION

  • Players are strongly recommended to register online.

    • On-site check-in not necessary for online registered players.

  • US Chess membership required for all players, including Blitz

  • All registration closes 1 hour before round.

  • On-site registration:

    • 3-day Schedule - Friday 5:00-5:30pm

    • Scholastic Sections - Saturday 9:00-9:30am

    • 2-day Schedule / Re-Entry - Saturday 9:00-10:00am

    • Blitz registration: (on-site only) Saturday 4:30-8:45pm

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TIME CONTROL

Championship Section: G/115, increment 5

U2100 through U900 Sections: G/100, increment 5

Scholastic U600 and U300 Sections: G/25;increment 5

Rounds 1 and 2 of Two-Day Schedule: G/40, increment 5

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$15,000 GUARANTEED IN PRIZES

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Championship Section (2000+) - FIDE Rated - 80 Grand Prix Points

$1600 + plaque – $800 – $500 – $300 - $200

Top u2400: $500 – $300

Top u2200: $400 – $200

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Under 2100 Section - FIDE Rated

$1000 + plaque – $500 – $300 - $200 

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Under 1900 Section - FIDE Rated

$800 + plaque – $400 – $200 - $100

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Under 1700 Section

$800 + plaque – $400 – $200 - $100

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Under 1500 Section

$700 + plaque – $400 – $200 - $100

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Under 1300 Section

$700 + plaque – $400 – $200 - $100

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Under 1100 Section

$600 + plaque – $300 – $200 - $100

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Under 900 Section

$600 + plaque – $300 – $200 - $100

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SCHEDULE

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3-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds

Friday: 6:30pm

Saturday: 11:00am & 4:30pm

Sunday: 10:00am & 3:00pm

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2-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds

Saturday: 11:00am, 1:30pm, 4:30pm (merge with 3-day schedule)

Sunday: 10:00am & 3:00pm

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(Rounds 1 & 2 of Two-Day played at G/40;+5 time control)

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SIDE EVENTS

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Special Guests GM Veselin Topalov and GM Jacob Aagaard

  • Book signing/autograph session on Sunday, June 11 from 2:00-3:00pm.

  • A fantastic opportunity to meet a World Champion and world renowned trainer!

 

Special Guest GM Sam Shankland

Friday, June 9 

  • "Play the Master" Blitz: 8:00-10:00pm

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Saturday, June 10

  • Open Lecture (any topic): 10:00-11:00am

  • Player Game Analysis: 12:30-2:00pm

  • Q&A or Commentary: 3:30-5:00pm

  • "Play the Master" Blitz: 6:30-8:00pm

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Sunday, June 11

  • Q&A or Commentary: 10:30-11:30am

  • Player Game Analysis: 12:30-2:00pm

  • Book Signing/Autograph/Photo Session: 2:00-3:00pm

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FREE $1000 Blitz 

Saturday, June 10, 9:00pm-11:00pm

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  • Blitz Registration On-site only, Saturday 4:30-8:45pm (no online blitz registration)

  • Free blitz entry for Carolinas Classic players (including Scholastic), $30 for others.

  • 6 (single) Rounds – USCF regular ratings used for pairings/prizes

  • $1,000 in prizes, two sections (Championship & U1600)

  • Both sections are FIDE and US Chess blitz rated.

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Saturday Scholastic (K-8) - 5 Rounds

Sections: Under 600 & Under 300 - all players must be in grade 8 or below

Time Control: G/25;increment 5

Prizes: Trophies to top 10 in each section

Round Times: 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, Awards at 4:15pm

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FREE Stretching 

  • Saturday, June 10, 12:30pm-4:30pm

  • Free Stretching provided by our friends at Outbound Chiropractic

  • Great stress relief before and/or after games

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ENTRY FEES

Main Event

$130 by May 30

$145 by June 6

$160 after June 6 or on-site

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GMs, IMs, WGMs Free Entry! No deduction from prize if registered by May 30, otherwise $130 deducted from prize.

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Scholastic (K-8) Side Event

$40 by June 6

$50 after June 6

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$1000 Blitz Side Event

Free for particpants in the Carolinas Classic and Scholastic Events

$30 for others, on-site registration only

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​CONDITIONS​

  • A limited number of conditions are available for GMs, IMs, and WGMs, inquire early.

  • All conditions must be arranged early through Dr. Walter High.

  • Conditioned players may not take byes or withdraw without the expressed permission of the organizers.

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RULES AND NOTES

  • 100 Point Rule: Must be within 100 points of next section to play up (e.g. 2000+ to enter Championship). Players may use any of the following to qualify for the 100 point rule:

    1. current rating at the time of registration

    2. June 2023 US Chess supplement rating

    3. live rating achieved thereafter

  • Withdrawals/Refunds:

    • Main Event: $10 transaction fee until June 7.

    • Scholastic: $5 transaction fee until June 7.

    • 50% refunds after June 7 until 1 hour before round 1.

  • Byes:

    • Up to 2 optional half-point byes, request before round 1 begins.

    • All byes requested during tournament are zero points.

  • Unrated Players:

    • must enter U1300, U1100, or U900 Sections or Scholastic U300.

    • Unrated players are eligible for prizes in these sections.

  • Re-Entry: 

    • If players have an undesirable start to the event, they may wish to re-enter the event.

    • Players may re-enter for a $60 fee​

  • Boards, sets, clocks provided (must use our equipment).

  • In all sections, White's clock will be started at the start of the round, even if players are not present.

  • June 2023 US Chess (OTB) ratings used for pairings and prizes in all sections.

  • All sections are US Chess-rated.  Championship, U2100, and U1900 are also FIDE-rated and use FIDE rules.

  • All registration (online and on-site) closes 1 hour before round.

  • Plaques to first place in main event sections, based on the following US Chess tiebreaks: Cumulative, Average Opposition Rating cut one.

  • Trophies to top 10 in scholastic sections, based on US Chess standard tiebreaks.

  • By registering for or attending this event, players and guests grant permission to CCC to take and use photographs and video for purposes related to the event.

 

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CCC FAIR PLAY MEASURES

  • No spectators are allowed in the playing area.

  • Read CCC Electronic Device Policy

  • Live game broadcasts will be on a delay.

  • Tournament staff will be equipped with wands and other anti-cheating equipment.

  • Stronger quality and quantity of tournament directors, arbiters, and organizers than other events.

  • Games may be submitted for thorough review by Dr. Ken Regan's FIDE-approved algorithm prior to submitting the event for rating.

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ORGANIZER CONTACT

Conditions and Invitations - Dr. Walter High, wmhigh@nc.rr.com 

Other inquiries - events@charlottechesscenter.org

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Registration and Entry Lists Here

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