Hotel Booking Link 

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​Must book by December 10 to receive discount

$101 per night single or double - free internet, free parking 

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When:

December 26-30, 2021 - Championship Section

December 27-30 or 28-30, 2021 - Under Sections

December 29, 2021 - Scholastic Sections and Blitz

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Requirements:

Participants must be members of the US Chess Federation

 

 

Registration:

Online Registration strongly recommended - Use link below

On-Site Registration: ends 90 minutes before round 1

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Prize Fund:

$20,000 Guaranteed in Prizes

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Championship Section (2100+)

FIDE and US Chess Rated - Norms Possible

1st Place: $3,000 + Plaque

2nd - 8th: $1,500 - 1000 - 800 - 600 - 400 - 300 - 200

Top Under 2350 FIDE: $600 - 300

Top Under 2200 FIDE: $500

Top Senior (50+) Bonus Prize: $200

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Minimum prizes and conditions available to GMs and foreign IMs, see below. 

 

Under 2200 Section

FIDE and US Chess Rated

1st Place: $1200 + Plaque

2nd - 4th: $600 - 400 - 200

Top Under 2050: $400 - 200

Top Senior (50+) Bonus Prize: $200

 

Under 1900 Section

US Chess Rated

1st Place: $1000 + Plaque

2nd - 4th: $500 - 300 - 200

Top Under 1750: $300 - 200

Top Senior (50+) Bonus Prize: $200

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U1600 Section

US Chess Rated

1st Place: $1000 + Plaque

2nd - 4th: $500 - 300 - 200

Top Under 1450: $300 - 200

Top Senior (50+) Bonus Prize: $200

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U1300 Section

US Chess Rated

1st Place: $600 + Plaque

2nd - 4th: $400 - $250 - $150

Top Under 1150: $250 - 150

Top Senior (50+) Bonus Prize: $200

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Side Events:

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K-12 Under 1000

(Wednesday 12/29 Only)

Trophies to top 8

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K-12 Under 600

(Wednesday 12/29 Only)

Trophies to top 8

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Free $500 Blitz

(Wednesday 12/29)

6 Rounds - US Chess Blitz Rated

Section and Prize Breakdown TBD

FREE to players in the Charlotte Open, $20 for others

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Schedule of Events:

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5-Day Schedule (Championship Section Only)

All Championship games: G/90, inc/30

Sunday 12/26: 6pm

Monday 12/27: 12pm & 6pm

Tuesday 12/28: 12pm & 6pm

Wednesday 12/29: 11am & 5pm

Thursday 12/30: 10am & 3:30pm

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4-Day Schedule (Under Sections)

All 4-day games: G/120, inc/5

Monday 12/27: 6pm

Tuesday 12/28: 12pm & 6pm

Wednesday 12/29: 11am & 5pm

Thursday 12/30: 10am & 3:30pm

 

3-Day Schedule (Under Sections)

3-day rounds 1-2: G/45, inc/5

Tuesday 12/28: 12pm & 3pm

Then merges with 4-day Schedule above for round 3, Tuesday 12/28, 6pm

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K-12 Side Events

Wednesday 12/29: 10:30am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm, 3:00pm, Awards Ceremony 4:15pm

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$500 Blitz 

Wednesday 12/29: Round 1 at 9:30pm (updated) then rounds ASAP

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Time Control

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Championship Section: G/90, inc/30

Under Sections: G/120, inc/5

3-Day Rounds 1-2: G/45, inc/5

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K-12 Sections: G/25, inc/5

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Blitz Event: G/3, inc/2

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Entry Fees

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Championship Section (2100+)

·        $235 by October 31

·        $255 by November 30

·        $275 by December 21

·        $295 after December 21

·        $50 Discount to players from North American Junior or Holiday GM/IM Norm Invitational

·        All GMs, Foreign IMs: FREE, no deduction from prize if registered by 11/30, $230 from prize after

·        Foreign FIDE-rated Players, U.S. IMs: $100 less than above, $100 deducted from prize

·        Players rated under 2200 USCF and FIDE: $100 additional fee, must be 2100+ to play up

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Under 2200, Under 1900, Under 1600 Sections

·        $135 by October 31

·        $155 by November 30

·        $175 by December 21

·        $195 after December 21

·        $50 Discount to players from North American Junior or Holiday GM/IM Norm Invitational

 

Under 1300 Section

·        $95 by October 31

·        $115 by November 30

·        $130 by December 21

·        $155 after December 21

 

K-12 Scholastic (Under 1000 or Under 600)

·        $30 by December 21

·        $40 after December 21

 

 

Online Registration and Pre-Entry List 

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Special Notes:

Organizer Contacts:

• Dr. Walter High, wmhigh@nc.rr.com

• Grant Oen, grant@charlottechesscenter.org

• Peter Giannatos, peter.giannatos@charlottechesscenter.org

 

Minimum Prizes and Conditions in Championship Section:

• FIDE 2500+ Foreign GMs: $600 minimum prize; $300 minimum prize + 5 nights shared hotel; or 5 nights single hotel.

• All GMs and Foreign IMs rated 2350+ FIDE: $300 minimum prize or 5 nights shared hotel.

• Must play all 9 rounds with no byes to receive minimum prize or hotel conditions.

• Hotel conditions must be arranged in advance, contact Dr. Walter High: wmhigh@nc.rr.com

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Rules:

• Refunds: Withdrawals are subject to a 5% transaction fee by December 25, no refunds after December 25.

• Up to 3 optional half-point byes, request before round 1. All byes requested during the tournament are zero points. 

• Must be within 100 points of next section to play up, additional fee applies in Championship Section.

• Plaques to first place in each section, based on US Chess standard tiebreaks if necessary.

• Re-entry: $50, no re-entry from Championship to Championship.

• Boards, sets, clocks provided for all sections – must use our equipment.

• December FIDE ratings used for pairings and prizes in Championship Section.

• December USCF ratings used for pairings and prizes in Under sections.

• Unrated players must play in the Under 1300 section and are only eligible for place prizes (1st-4th place).

• For Unrated players, USCF Online Ratings, unofficial “live” ratings, or foreign ratings may be assigned at the TD’s discretion​

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COVID POLICY 

• Masks are required for players and spectators

• The chess equipment will be disinfected and thoroughly cleaned several times daily.

• Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipe stations will be placed throughout the hotel.