OVERVIEW
The 9th Annual Carolinas Classic is a 5 round event featuring a $15,000 guaranteed prize fund in 7 sections and a FREE $1,000 Blitz tournament! Enjoy your stay at the newly renovated lakeside Hilton Charlotte University Place. Take a walk on the lake, shop, dine and more.
FREE signing and photo session with legends GM Judit Polgar, GM Peter Leko, GM Boris Gelfand, and GM Naroditsky. More details below.
Organized just prior to the Charlotte Chess Center's 8th Annual Elite Camp held from June 16-20 at the same venue.
WHEN
June 13-15, 2025
Various playing schedules available
WHERE
Hilton Charlotte University Place – Official Venue
8629 J M Keynes Drive
Charlotte, NC 28262
HOTEL BOOKING
$132/Night - Free Internet, Parking
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
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
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 - 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
$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.
SIDE EVENTS
Signing and Photo Session with Chess Legends - Sunday, June 15, 1:15pm-2:45pm
GM Judit Polgar
GM Peter Leko
GM Boris Gelfand
GM Daniel Naroditsky
Bring one item to be signed. Professional photographer onsite to take photos.
K-8 U700 Scholastic - Saturday, June 14, 10:30am-4:00pm
FREE $1,000 Blitz - Saturday, June 14, 8:30pm-10:30pm
ENTRY FEES
Main Event
$140 by June 1
$155 by June 8
$170 after June 8 or on-site at least 1 hour before round.
GMs, IMs, WGMs 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 $1,000 Blitz Info and Registration Here
CONTACT
For questions, concerns, and withdrawals prior to the event email: events@charlottechesscenter.org
Conditions and Invitations - walter@charlottechesscenter.org
SPECIAL NOTES
Please read Terms and Conditions.
June 2025 US Chess (OTB) ratings used for pairings and prizes in all sections.
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). In addition to the June 2025 US Chess Regular Supplement Rating, we will also honor peak ratings since April 16.
Withdrawals/Refunds:
$10 transaction fee until June 11.
50% refunds after June 11 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
OTHER RULES
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.
All sections are US Chess-rated. Championship, U2100, and U1900 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.