OVERVIEW
The 2025 Charlotte Open is a 6-round US Chess-rated tournament which features a $15,000 guaranteed prize fund in 7 US Chess-rated sections. The event his held over Martin Luther King Jr Weekend, January 18-20, 2025.
Alongside the main events are the $1,000 blitz and single-day K-8 Scholastic tournaments. Participants may engage with a special guest VIP GM Kayden Troff who will lead blitz challenges, lectures, and more!
Enjoy your stay at the UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center on UNC Charlotte's beautiful university campus. Plenty of restaurants and shops in walking distance.
ADULTS: Check out this adult only training camp just prior to the Charlotte Open. Best for OTB ratings of 1500 and below. Featuring WGM Belenkaya, GM Naroditsky, GM Troff, and FM Giannatos.
WHEN
January 18-20, 2025
MLK Weekend
WHERE
UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
9041 Robert D Snyder Road
Charlotte, NC 28262
$129 per night - 2 Queen or King
Booking Link - Rooms Sold Out
Offsite Overflow Hotel (1 mile away)
Hampton Inn Charlotte-University
8419 N Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28262
$129 per night - includes breakfast, internet, parking
Booking Link - Book ASAP
PARKING
$6 Daily Parking (self)
Each entry/exit requires payment
REGISTRATION
Online registration (link below) is strongly recommended. All registration closes 1 hour before round.
On-site Registration
Saturday 9:15am - 9:30am (3-day or Scholastic)
Sunday 8:45am - 9:00am (2-day or re-entry)
Blitz Registration: On-site only, Sunday 4:30 - 8:30pm.
TIME CONTROLS
Championship Section, 3-Day Schedule: G/110, inc/10
Under Sections, 3-Day Schedule: G/100, inc/10
All Sections, 2-Day Schedule: Rounds 1-3: G/20, inc/10, then merge with above
$15,000 GUARANTEED IN PRIZES
Championship – FIDE Rated
$1400 - $800 - $500 - $300
Top U2400: $500 - $250
Top U2250: $400 – $200
Under 2100 – FIDE Rated
$1000 – $500 – $300 - $225
Under 1900 - FIDE Rated
$1000 – $500 – $300 - $225
Under 1700
$800 – $400 – $300 - $200
Under 1500
$800 – $400 – $300 - $200
Under 1300
$700 – $400 – $300 - $200
Under 1100
$700 – $400 – $300 - $200
100-point rule applies for "playing up" a section - see Special Notes at bottom of page.
SCHEDULE
3-Day Schedule - 6 Rounds
Saturday: 10:30am & 4:00pm
Sunday: 10:30am & 4:00pm
Monday: 10:00am & 3:00pm
2-Day Schedule - 6 Rounds
Sunday: 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm (merge with 3-day schedule in round 4)
Monday: 10:00am & 3:00pm
SIDE EVENTS
Special Guest - GM Kayden Troff
Saturday, January 18
Player Game Analysis: 2:00-3:30pm and 4:30-6:00pm
"Play the Master" Blitz: 7:00-8:30pm
Sunday, January 19
Player Game Analysis: 1:30-3:00pm
"Play the Master" Blitz: 6:00-7:30pm
Monday, January 20
Open Lecture: 9:00-10:00am
"Play the Master" Blitz: 2:00-3:30pm
K-8 Under 700 Scholastic
Saturday, January 18
Starts at 10:30am - see all details here
FREE $1,000 Blitz
Sunday, January 19
Starts at 8:45pm - see all details here
MAIN EVENT ENTRY FEE
$149 by January 4
$165 by January 11
$180 after January 11
GMs, IMs, and WGMs Free Entry, no deduction from prize if registered by December 29, otherwise $140 deducted from prize
Conditions are possible for GMs in the 3-day schedule, inquire by December 15.
CONTACT
For questions, concerns, and withdrawals prior to the event email: events@charlottechesscenter.org
Titled Player Conditions - wmhigh@nc.rr.com
RULES AND NOTES
Please read Terms and Conditions.
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. No exceptions.
rating at the time of registration
January 2025 supplement rating
live rating achieved thereafter
Re-Entry:
If players have an undesirable start to the event, they may wish to re-enter the event, for example re-entering from the 3-day to the 2-day schedule.
Players may re-enter for a $60 fee.
Online re-entry link coming soon.
Re-entry closes Sunday 9:00am.
Withdrawals / Refunds:
Withdrawals by January 16 in main event will incur a $10 transaction fee and $5 fee for scholastic side event.
50% refunds after January 16 until 1 hour before round 1.
No refunds once event begins.
All withdrawals during the event must be submitted at least 1 hour 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.
OTHER NOTES
Up to 3 optional half-point byes, request before round 1. All byes requested during tournament are zero points.
Unrated players must enter U1300, U1100, or K-8 Scholastic U700. Unrated players are eligible for prizes in these sections.
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 one or both players are not present.
January 2025 US Chess Classical (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 except for 2-day schedule games., rounds 1-3, which are US Chess-rated only and use US Chess rules.
All registration (online and on-site) closes 1 hour before round.
Plaques based on the following tiebreaks: Cumulative, Average Opposition cut one.
Trophies to top 10 in scholastic sections, based on US Chess standard tiebreaks if necessary.
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.