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2027 Charlotte Open

Jan 16-18, 2027

Off-Site Events

Open

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Pre-Registered List
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OVERVIEW

The 2027 Charlotte Open is a 6-round classical event with a $14,000 guaranteed prize fund in 6 US Chess rated sections (top 4 FIDE-rated). The event is held over Martin Luther King Weekend, January 16-18, 2027.


Alongside the main event are the $1,000 Blitz and K-8 Scholastic events.

 

Enjoy your stay at the UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel on UNC Charlotte's beautiful campus. Plenty of restaurants and shops in walking distance.



WHEN

January 16-18, 2027

MLK Weekend

3-day and 2-day schedules available



HOTEL BOOKING

UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

9041 Robert D Snyder Road

Charlotte, NC 28262

$138 per night - 2 Queen or 1 King

Booking Link - Book by January 2!



PARKING

$6 Self-Parking

Each exit requires $6 payment

Validate your ticket on-site



ELIGIBILITY

  • Open event - no rating or age minimum.

  • Must be members of US Chess.



REGISTRATION

  • Online registration is strongly recommended.

  • Registration closes 90 minutes before round 1.

  • On-site check-in is not necessary for players who register online.

  • On-site Registration

    • Saturday 8:45-9:00am (3-day Schedule)

    • Sunday 8:15-8:30am (2-day Schedule and Re-entry)

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

  • Blitz Registration: On-site only, Sunday 4:30-8:30pm.



TIME CONTROL

Championship Section: G/110, inc/10

Under Sections, 3-Day Schedule: G/100, inc/10

Under Sections, 2-Day Schedule: Rounds 1-3: G/20, inc/10, Rounds 4-6 (merge with 3-day): G/100, inc/10



PRIZES & SECTIONS

$14,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund in 7 Sections.


Championship – FIDE-Rated

100 US Chess Grand Prix Points

$2000 - $1000 - $600 - $400

Top U2300: $600 - $400

Championship plays 3-day schedule only

Under 2100 – FIDE-Rated

$1200 – $600 – $300 – $200

Under 1900 - FIDE-Rated

$1000 - $500 - $250 - $150

Under 1700 - FIDE-Rated

$800 - $400 - $250 - $150

Under 1500

$800 - $400 - $250 - $150

Under 1200

$800 - $400 - $250 - $150

​ 


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


Plaques to first place in all sections.



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*, 11:45am*, 1:30pm*, 4:00pm (merge with 3-day schedule in round 4)

Monday: 10:00am & 3:00pm


* Rounds 1-3 of 2-day Schedule played at G/20; inc/10 time control.

Championship - No 2-day schedule


SIDE EVENTS


K-8 Under 700 Scholastic 

  • Saturday, January 16

  • 11:00am - 4:30pm


FREE $1,000 Blitz

  • Sunday, January 17

  • 8:45pm




ENTRY FEE

$149 by January 3

$165 by January 12

$180 after January 12

GMs, IMs, WGMs: Free online entry, no deduction from prize if registered by December 15, otherwise $140 deducted.


Re-entry: $60. See information under Special Notes below.



CONTACT

events@charlottechesscenter.org


Email us to withdraw. Withdrawals close 75 minutes before round 1.

Register Now
Pre-Registered List
  • Please read CCC Terms and Conditions and Fair Play Policy.

  • No spectators. Parents and spectators are not permitted in the playing area or in the nearby hallways and restrooms.

  • 100-Point Rule: Must be within 100 points of next section to play up (e.g. 2000+ to enter Championship). In addition to January 2027 US Chess Supplement Ratings, we will also honor peak ratings since December 1.

  • Section Adjustment: Players who register for a section that they are not eligible will be moved to the highest section they are eligible for, usually without notification.

  • Ratings:

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

    • The Championship, U2100, U1900, and U1700 sections are also FIDE-rated and use FIDE rules, except for 2-day schedule, rounds 1-3.

    • Unrated players must enter the Under 1200 or Scholastic U700 if K-8 and are eligible for prizes in these sections.

    • Ratings Used for Pairings and Prizes:

      • For most players, January 2027 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 December 1, but who have since fallen below the 100-point cutoff, they are still eligible for the higher section, but the highest of their January 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.

  • Re-Entry: 

    • If players have an undesirable start to the event, they may wish to re-enter, for example re-entering from the 3-day to the 2-day schedule, or re-entering the same schedule with up to 3 half-point byes.

    • There is no re-entry from Championship to Championship.

    • Players may re-enter for a $60 fee online (preferred) or on-site.

    • Re-entry closes 90 minutes before game.

  • Withdrawals / Refunds:

    • Withdrawals by January 9 will be refunded less a $10 transaction fee.

    • Withdrawals between January 10-13 will be refunded less a $20 transaction fee.

    • 50% refunds after January 13 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.

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

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

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

  • Plaques awarded to first place in each section based on the following tiebreaks: Cumulative, Average Opposition cut one.

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

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