top of page

2026 Carolinas Classic

Jun 12-14, 2026

Off-Site Events

Open


OVERVIEW

The 10th Annual Carolinas Classic takes place June 12-14, 2026 at the lakeside Hilton University Charlotte Place Hotel. It is a 5-round classical event with a $15,000 guaranteed prize fund - $14,000 in the main event plus a free $1,000 Saturday evening blitz tournament.

 

Side events including a scholastic tournament, blitz tournament, and an Autograph/Photo Session with chess legends - GMs Judit Polgar, Peter Leko, RB Ramesh - open to tournament participants.

Organized just prior to the Charlotte Chess Center's 9th Annual Elite Camp held from June 15-19 at the same venue.



WHEN

June 12-14 or 13-14, 2026

3-day and 2-day schedules available


WHERE

Hilton Charlotte University Place

8629 JM Keynes Drive

Charlotte, NC 28262

$139/Night - Free Internet, Parking

Booking Link - Book ASAP

Click "edit stay" at the top of the booking page to select your exact dates

Email us if the booking link is not showing the correct rate.



REGISTRATION

  • Online Registration is strongly recommended.

    • All registration closes 75 minutes before round 1 start time.

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

  • On-site Registration (Midway Room):

    • 3-day Schedule - Friday 5:00-5:15pm

    • 2-day Schedule / Re-Entry - Saturday 8:30-8:45am

    • Scholastic Event: Saturday 8:30-9:45am

    • Blitz registration: (on-site only) Saturday 4:00-8:15pm



SCHEDULE

3-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds

Friday: 6:30pm

Saturday: 10:30am & 4:00pm

Blitz: Saturday 8:30pm

Sunday: 10:00am & 3:00pm

2-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds

Saturday: 10:00am*, 1:00pm*, 4:00pm (merge with 3-day schedule)

Blitz: Saturday 8:30pm

Sunday: 10:00am & 3:00pm

* Rounds 1-2 of 2-Day Schedule played at G/40; inc/10, then merge with 3-day Schedule, Saturday 4:00pm



TIME CONTROL

Championship Section: G/110, inc/10

"Under" Sections: G/100, inc/10

Rounds 1-2 of 2-Day Schedule: G/40, inc/10



PRIZES AND SECTIONS

$14,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund in 6 Sections.


Championship Section - FIDE Rated

100 US Chess Grand Prix Points

$2000 - $1000 - $600 - $400

Top U2300: $600 - $400

Under 2100 Section - FIDE Rated

$1200 - $600 - $300 - $200

Under 1900 Section - FIDE Rated

$1000 - $500 - $250 - $150

Under 1700 Section - FIDE Rated

$800 - $400 - $250 - $150

Under 1500 Section

$800 - $400 - $250 - $150

Under 1200 Section

$800 - $400 – $250 - $150



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


Plaques to first place in all sections.



SIDE EVENTS

Chess Legends Autograph & Photo Session

Sunday, June 15, 1:15-2:45pm


Featuring:

  • GM Judit Polgar

  • GM Peter Leko

  • GM RB Ramesh


Open to event participants only - sign up for the Carolinas Classic, Scholastic, or Blitz to be eligible to participate.


Bring one item to be signed. Professional photographer onsite to take photos.


K-8 U800 Scholastic

Saturday, June 13, 10:30am-4:00pm



FREE $1,000 Blitz

Saturday, June 13, 8:30pm




ENTRY FEES


$149 by June 1

$165 by June 8

$180 after June 8 or on-site at least 1 hour before round.

GM/IM/WGMs: Free online entry, no deduction from prize if registered by May 10, otherwise $140 deducted from prize.


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


K-8 U800 Scholastic Info and Registration Here

FREE $1,000 Blitz Info and Registration Here



CONTACT

events@charlottechesscenter.org


Use this form to withdraw from the event.

REGISTER
  • Please read CCC's Terms and Conditions and Fair Play Policy.

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

  • 100-Point Rule: Must be within 100 points of next section to play up (e.g. 2000+ to enter Championship). In addition to the June 2026 US Chess Supplement Ratings, we will also honor peak ratings since May 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 1-2.

    • Unrated players must enter the Under 1200 Section or Scholastic U800 if K-8 and are eligible for prizes in these sections.

    • Ratings Used for Pairings and Prizes:

      • For most players, June 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 May 1, but who have since fallen below the 100-point cutoff, they are still eligible for the higher section, but the highest of their June 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 75 minutes before game.

  • Withdrawals/Refunds:

    • Withdrawals by June 6 will be refunded less a $10 transaction fee.

    • Withdrawals between June 7-10 will be refunded less a $20 transaction fee.

    • 50% refunds after June 10 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 2 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 start of the round, even if 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.

bottom of page