Registration Coming Soon!
OVERVIEW
The Fall Southeastern FIDE takes place over Labor Day Weekend, September 5-7, 2026 in SouthPark Charlotte. There are three FIDE and US Chess rated sections with a minimum rating of 1400 to participate. There is a $5,500 guaranteed prize fund - $5,000 in the main event plus a free $500 Saturday evening blitz tournament.
There is a registration cap of 115 players. The Fall SE FIDE runs alongside the Labor Day GM/IM Norm Invitational.
WHEN
September 5-7, 2026
Labor Day Weekend
WHERE
Beautiful Venue in the Heart of Southpark! Walk to Starbucks, Whole Foods and more!
Hilton Garden Inn - Southpark
4808 Sharon Road
Charlotte, NC 28210
(704) 362-5080
HOTEL BOOKING
Both hotel options attached to the playing venue.
Email us if the booking links are not showing the correct rate.
Free internet, free parking
Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte SouthPark
$134/Night - King; $149/Night - Two Queens
Homewood Suites Charlotte SouthPark
$152/Night - King Suite with pullout sofa
Free Breakfast
ELIGIBILITY
Must be members of US Chess.
There is a strict rating minimum of 1400 to enter, based on September US Chess ratings or a peak rating achieved between August 1 - September 5.
See events schedule for other options this weekend.
REGISTRATION
Online Registration only - no on-site registration.
All registration closes 90 minutes before round 1 start time or when capacity is reached.
On-site check-in is not necessary.
Registration Cap: 115 players. The organizers reserve the right to accept entries past 115 players depending on specific space constraints.
SCHEDULE
3-Day Schedule Only - 5 Rounds
Saturday: 10:30am & 4:30pm
Sunday: 10:30am & 4:30pm
Blitz: Saturday 9:00pm
Monday: 10:00am
TIME CONTROL
G/90, inc/30
PRIZES & SECTIONS
$5,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund in 3 Sections
Championship Section - FIDE Rated
30 US Chess Grand Prix Points
$1000 - $500 - $300
Top U2250: $350
Under 2100 Section - FIDE Rated
$700 - $350 - $200
Top U1950: $250
Under 1800 Section - FIDE Rated
$600 – $300 – $200
Top U1600: $250
Minimum rating of 1400.
100-point rule applies for "playing up" see Special Notes below.
Plaques to first place in all sections.
FREE FALL FIDE BLITZ
Sunday, 9/6, 9:00pm
Blitz Registration On-site only, Sunday 4:30-8:45pm
No online or emailed blitz registration.
Free blitz entry for players in the Southeastern FIDE or Norm Invitational.
Open to all players - $30 on-site blitz entry for those not in either event.
Cash only for on-site blitz entry.
6 (single) Rounds – US Chess regular ratings used for pairings/prizes.
US Chess and FIDE blitz rated. US Chess membership required.
$500 guaranteed prize fund in one section:
$200 - $100 - $60. Top U2250: $80, Top U1950: $60.
ENTRY FEE
$149 by August 18
$165 after August 18
GM/IM/WGMs: Free online entry, no deduction from prize if registered by August 3, otherwise $145 deducted from prize.
CONTACT
Please read CCC's Terms and Conditions and Fair Play Policy.
No spectators. Parents and spectators are not permitted in the playing area or in the 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 September US Chess supplement ratings, we will also honor peak ratings since August 1.
Ratings:
All sections are US Chess-rated. US Chess membership is required.
All sections are also FIDE-rated and use FIDE rules.
Minimum rating: There is a USCF rating minimum of 1400 to enter (peak ratings since August 1 are honored).
Ratings Used for Pairings and Prizes:
For most players, September 2026 US Chess supplement ratings are 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 August 1, but who have since fallen below the 100-point cutoff, they are still eligible for the higher section, but the highest of their September supplement and most recent live rating will be used for pairings and prizes (not necessarily the peak rating).
For players with an September supplement rating under 1400, their live rating will be used.
Registration Cap: 115 players. The organizers reserve the right to accept entries past 115 players depending on specific space constraints.
Changes to registration / mid-event withdrawals:
All changes to registration including schedule changes, byes, and withdrawals must be submitted at least 1 hour before the relevant round.
Players who forfeit (no-show) without notice will be fined $100.
Byes: Players may take up to 2 optional half-point byes, request before round 1. All byes requested during the tournament are zero points.
Withdrawals/Refunds:
Withdrawals by August 29 will be refunded minus a $10 transaction fee.
Withdrawals between August 30-September 2 will be refunded minus a $20 transaction fee.
50% refunds after September 2 until 75 minutes before round 1.
Equipment: Boards, sets, clocks provided (must use our equipment). Players must use the provided carbon-copy scoresheets and hand in a copy to an arbiter after each game. Personal scorebooks/scoresheets are not permitted.
Plaque to first place in each section, based on US Chess cumulative tiebreak and "average opposition rating, drop one" tiebreak if necessary.
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.