OVERVIEW
The 8th Annual Carolinas Classic is a 5 round event featuring a $15,000 guaranteed prize fund in 7 sections and a FREE $1,500 Blitz tournament! Enjoy your stay at the newly renovated lakeside Hilton Charlotte University Place. Take a walk on the lake, shop, dine and more.
In addition to the main events and side events, participants may engage with special VIP IM John Bartholomew who will lead Q&A's, blitz challenges, game analysis, and more! Chess legends GM Judit Polgar, GM Veselin Topalov (former World Champion), and world-renowned trainers GM RB Ramesh and GM Daniel Naroditsky will also be present and hold a book signing/autograph session on Sunday of the event.
Organized just prior to the Charlotte Chess Center's Elite Camp (June 10-14 at the same venue)
WHEN
Main Event
June 7-9, 2024
Various playing schedules available
Single-day side events on Saturday, June 8 listed below.
WHERE
Hilton Charlotte University Place – Official Venue
8629 J M Keynes Drive
Charlotte, NC 28262
HOTEL BOOKING
$129/Night - Free Internet, Parking
Booking Link - Reserve by May 10
REGISTRATION
Players are strongly recommended to register online.
On-site check-in not necessary for online registered players.
US Chess membership required for all players, including Blitz
All registration closes 1 hour before round.
On-site registration:
3-day Schedule - Friday 5:00-5:30pm
Scholastic Event - Saturday 9:00-9:30am
2-day Schedule / Re-Entry - Saturday 9:00-9:30am
Blitz registration: (on-site only) Saturday 4:00-8:15pm
TIME CONTROLS
Championship Section: G/110, inc/10
U2100 through U1100 Sections: G/100, inc/10
Rounds 1-2 of 2-Day Schedule: G/45, inc/10
$15,000 GUARANTEED IN PRIZES
Championship Section (2000+) - FIDE Rated - 80 Grand Prix Points
$1600 + plaque – $800 – $600 – $300
Top U2400: $600 – $300
Top U2250: $400 – $200
Under 2100 Section - FIDE Rated
$1000 + plaque – $500 – $300 - $200
Under 1900 Section - FIDE Rated
$800 + plaque – $400 – $300 - $200
Under 1700 Section - FIDE Rated
$800 + plaque – $400 – $300 - $200
Under 1500 Section
$800 + plaque – $400 – $300 - $200
Under 1300 Section
$800 + plaque – $400 – $300 - $200
Under 1100 Section
$700 + plaque – $400 – $200 - $100
100-point rule applies for "playing up" a section - see Special Notes at bottom of page.
SCHEDULE
3-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds
Friday: 6:30pm
Saturday: 10:30am & 4:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am & 3:00pm
2-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds
Saturday: 10:00am*, 1:00pm*, 4:00pm (merge with 3-day schedule)
Sunday: 10:00am & 3:00pm
* Rounds 1 & 2 of 2-Day played at G/45; inc/10 time control
SIDE EVENTS
Special Guests GMs Judit Polgar, Veselin Topalov, RB Ramesh, Daniel Naroditsky
Book signing/autograph session on Sunday, June 9 from 1:30-2:30pm.
A fantastic opportunity to meet a World Champion, the strongest female player of all time, and world-renowned trainers/Grandmasters!
This event is only open to registered Carolinas Classic participants.
Special Guest VIP IM John Bartholomew
Saturday, June 8
Open Lecture: 9:30-10:30am
"Play the Master" Blitz: 11:30am-12:30pm
Player Game Analysis: 1:30-2:30pm
Scholastic Awards Ceremony Presentation: 3:45-4:15pm
Player Game Analysis: 5:00-6:00pm
"Play the Master" Blitz: 7:00-8:00pm
Carolinas Classic Blitz tournament: 8:30pm
Sunday, June 9
Q&A and Commentary: 10:30-11:30am
"Play the Master" Blitz: 12:00-1:00pm
Player Game Analysis: 2:00-3:00pm
"Play the Master" Blitz: 4:00-5:00pm
Player Game Analysis: 6:00-7:00pm
K-8 U700 Scholastic - Saturday, June 8, 10:30am-4:00pm
FREE $1,500 Blitz - Saturday, June 8, 8:30pm-10:30pm
ENTRY FEES
Main Event
$140 by May 28
$155 by June 4
$170 after June 4 or on-site at least 1 hour before round.
GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs Free Entry! No deduction from prize if registered by May 15, otherwise $140 deducted from prize.
See K-8 U700 Scholastic Info and Registration Here
See FREE $1,500 Blitz Info and Registration Here
CONTACT
For questions, concerns, and withdrawals prior to the event email: events@charlottechesscenter.org
Conditions and Invitations - wmhigh@nc.rr.com
SPECIAL NOTES
Please read Terms and Conditions.
No spectators are allowed in the playing area or nearby hallways
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:
current US Chess rating at the time of registration
June 2024 US Chess supplement rating
live rating achieved thereafter
Withdrawals/Refunds:
Main Event: $10 transaction fee until June 5.
Scholastic: $5 transaction fee until June 5.
50% refunds after June 5 until 1 hour before round 1.
Byes:
Up to 2 optional half-point byes, request before round 1 begins.
All byes requested during tournament are zero points.
Unrated Players:
must enter U1300, U1100 Sections or Scholastic if K-8.
Unrated players are eligible for prizes in these sections.
Re-Entry:
If players have an undesirable start to the event, they may wish to re-enter the event.
Players may re-enter for a $60 fee
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.
June 2024 US Chess (OTB) ratings used for pairings and prizes in all sections.
All sections are US Chess-rated. Championship, U2100, U1900, and U1700 are also FIDE-rated and use FIDE rules and pairings.
All registration (online and on-site) closes 1 hour before round.
Plaques to first place in main event sections, based on the following US Chess tiebreaks: Cumulative, Average Opposition Rating cut one.
Trophies to top 10 in scholastic event, based on US Chess standard tiebreaks.
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.
CCC FAIR PLAY MEASURES
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.