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ALTO

Apr 10-12, 2026

Off-Site Events

Adults 21+



OVERVIEW

ALTO, which stands for "At Least Twenty-One," is a special 5-round event open to players age 21 and older.  There is a guaranteed prize fund of $5,000 and registration cap of 140 players.


On Saturday evening, participants are invited to a social gathering and are given a free drink ticket. Join us for a weekend of competitive fun.

 


WHEN

April 10-12, 2026


WHERE

Great Venue in Southpark Charlotte! Walk to Starbucks, Whole Foods, and restaurants!


Hilton Garden Inn - Southpark

4808 Sharon Road

Charlotte, NC 28210

(704) 362-5080



HOTEL BOOKING

Both hotel options attached to the playing venue.

Please email us if the booking links are not showing the correct rate.

Free internet, free parking


Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte SouthPark

$134/Night - King; $149/Night - Two Queens

Booking Link - Reserve ASAP


Homewood Suites Charlotte SouthPark

$152/Night - King Suite

Free Breakfast

Booking Link - Reserve ASAP



ELIGIBILITY

  • Must be members of US Chess.

  • Players must be age 21 or older as of April 10, 2026.

  • See events schedule for other options this weekend.



REGISTRATION

  • Online registration only - no on-site registration.

  • All registration closes 75 minutes before round 1 or when capacity is reached.

  • On-site check-in is not necessary.

  • Registration Cap: 140 players. The organizers reserve the right to accept entries past 140 players depending on specific space constraints.


SCHEDULE


Check out our Adult Chess Meetup Thursday evening!


3-day Schedule Only - 5 Rounds


Friday, April 10

Round 1: 6:30pm


Saturday, April 11

Round 2: 10:30am

Round 3: 4:00pm

Player Social: 7:30pm


Sunday, April 12

Round 4: 10:00am

Round 5: 3:00pm




TIME CONTROL

G/110; inc/10

1 hour and 50 minutes per player with a 10 second increment

 


PRIZES & SECTIONS

$5,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund in 3 Sections.

Championship Section - FIDE Rated

$1000 – $500 – $300 - $200

Top U2150: $350

Under 1900 Section - FIDE Rated

$600 – $300 – $200

Top U1650: $250

Under 1400 Section

$600 – $300 – $200

Top U1100: $200

100-point Rule applies for "playing up" - see Special Notes below.


Plaques to first place in all sections.



ENTRY FEE

$139 by March 30

$155 after March 30


GM/IM/WGMs: Free online entry, no deduction from prize by March 20, otherwise $130 deducted.



CONTACT

events@charlottechesscenter.org


Use this link to withdraw from the event.


REGISTER

  • Please read CCC Terms and Conditions and Fair Play Policy.

  • Spectators are not permitted in the playing area or in the nearby hallway.

  • Registration Cap: 140 players. Organizers reserve the right to adjust the cap based on specific space constraints.

  • 100-Point Rule: Players may play up if their rating is within 100 points of the section limit. Example: 1800+ to enter Championship. In addition to April US Chess supplement ratings, we will also honor peak ratings since March 1.

  • Ratings:

    • All sections are US Chess-rated.  US Chess membership is required.

    • Championship and U1900 sections are also FIDE-rated and use FIDE rules.

    • No minimum rating to enter.

    • Unrated players must enter the U1400 section are are eligible for place prizes (1st-3rd) in that section.

    • Ratings Used for Pairings and Prizes:

      • For most players, April 2026 US Chess supplement ratings are used.

      • For players who would otherwise be unrated, their live US Chess tournament history rating will be used.

      • For players who are “playing up” based on their most recent live (tournament history) rating and using the 100-point rule, this live rating will be used if they would otherwise not qualify for the higher section.

      • For players who are “playing up” based on a peak rating since March 1, but who have since fallen below the 100-point cutoff, they are still eligible for the higher section, but the highest of their April supplement and most recent live rating will be used (not necessarily the peak rating).

      • For foreign FIDE-rated players with no US Chess rating (or insufficient recent US Chess rating history), the following formulas may be used to assign a US Chess rating:

        • FIDE Ratings 2000+: 1.02 * FIDE + 20.

        • FIDE Ratings U2000: usually assigned at par, unless a different foreign rating system (e.g. CFC) is available and used for rating assignment, with possible adjustment by the Chief TD.

      • In exceptional cases, the Chief TD may assign a different rating than specified above to a player for any reason. Assigned ratings will never be lower than the current US Chess supplement used for the event.

  • Byes: 

    • Any changes (registration, byes, withdrawals) must be submitted at least 75 minutes before the round in question.

    • Half-point byes allow a player to skip a round they cannot otherwise attend.

    • Players may take up to 3 optional half-point byes, request before round 1.

    • All byes requested during the tournament are zero points.  Half-point byes must be requested before round 1.

  • Withdrawals / Refunds:

    • Withdrawals by April 4 will be refunded less a $10 transaction fee.

    • Withdrawals between April 4-8 will be refunded less a $20 transaction fee.

    • 50% refunds after April 8 until 75 minutes before round 1.

    • All withdrawals during the event must be submitted at least 75 minutes before the affected round.

    • Failure to notify us of a pending withdrawal or zero-point bye which leads to a forfeit by “no-show” will incur a fine of $100.

  • 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.

  • Plaque to first place in each section, based on US Chess cumulative tiebreak and "average opposition rating, drop one" tiebreak if necessary.

  • 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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