Registration Opening Soon!
EVENT OVERVIEW
The First Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz is will take place in Charlotte, NC from July 3-5, 2026. The tournament features a $50,000 total guaranteed prize fund and is open to professionals and amateurs alike. Capacity is limited to 300 players for our inagural year.
The Memorial is a three-day chess festival bridging together elite play, the vibrant creator community, and the chess community at large. The weekend is built around 4 main events:
Rapid Championship: 7 rounds. Two sections: Masters and Challengers.
Blitz Championship: 11 rounds. Two sections: Masters and Challengers.
Creator Invitational - Featuring 10 of the world’s top chess creators.
Blitz Final - The elite finale featuring the top 10 Masters from Saturday.
Every player who participates in the Friday Rapid and Saturday Blitz events receives complimentary spectator access to Sunday's events. Watch the world's best players and your favorite creators live and in person.
SPONSORS
Interested in sponsoring? Help us sustain this initiative - contact the CCCF.
WHEN
July 3 - Rapid
July 4 - Blitz
July 5 - Creator Invitational & Blitz Final
VENUE
Charlotte Marriott City Center
100 W Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
BOOK YOUR STAY
$189/Night - King and Queen/Queen Rooms Available
Booking Link - Book by June 14
SECTIONS & ELIGIBILITY
Masters
Players currently rated 2200+ USCF or FIDE (classical, rapid, or blitz)
Players with the FM/WFM or higher titles
Up to 10 organizer wildcards
US Chess membership required
Each section has a registration cap of 150 players
Challengers
Players currently rated under 2300 USCF and under 2200 FIDE (classical, rapid, or blitz)
US Chess membership required
Each section has a registration cap of 150 players
FORMAT
Rapid Championship (Friday, July 3)
7 Rounds
Time Control: G/10 minutes; +5 second increment
US Chess and FIDE Rated
Masters: 150 US Chess Grand Prix Points; FIDE Circuit Event
Blitz Championship (Saturday, July 4)
11 Rounds
Time Control: G/3 minutes; +2 second increment
US Chess and FIDE Rated
Masters: Top 10 players qualify to Sunday Blitz Final. 150 US Chess Grand Prix Points; FIDE Circuit Event
Challengers: Saturday only. Players who play get free spectator access to Sunday Blitz Final and Creator Invitational.
Creator Invitational (Sunday, July 5)
9 Rounds
Time Control: G/3 minutes; +2 second increment
US Chess and FIDE Rated
Single Round Robin
Players: IM Levy Rozman, WFM Alexandra Botez, IM Sagar Shah, WGM Dina Belenkaya, Andrea Botez, IM Eric Rosen, IM Julien Song, GM Aman Hambleton, IM John Bartholomew, IM Danny Rensch.
Blitz Final (Sunday, July 5)
9 Rounds
Time Control: G/3 minutes; +2 second increment
US Chess and FIDE Rated
Single Round Robin
Players: Top 10 players from Saturday in the Masters section only. Players TBD - Based on Saturday blitz results
$50,000 PRIZE FUND
$15,000 - Rapid Masters
$3000* - $2500 - $2000 - $1500 - $1300 - $1100 - $1000
*Winner’s Bonus: $500
Top U2500: $800 / $400
Top U2350: $600 / $300
Trophy/Plaque awards to top 3
Highest FIDE rating (Classical, Rapid, Blitz) used for pairings and prizes in Masters
$5,000 - Rapid Challengers
$1000 - $700 - $500
Top U2000: $600 - $400
Top U1700: $600 - $400
Top U1400/Unr: $500 - $300
Trophy/Plaque to top 3
USCF ratings used for pairings and prizes in Challengers
$25,000 - Blitz Masters
$6000* - $3500 - $2500 - $2000 - $1800 - $1600 - $1500 - $1300 - $1200 - $1000
Winner’s Bonus: $500
Top U2500: $800 - $400
Top U2350: $600 - $300
Trophy/Plaque to top 3
Highest FIDE rating (Classical, Rapid, Blitz) used for pairings and prizes in Masters
$5,000 - Blitz Challengers
$1000 - $700 - $500
Top U2000: $600 - $400
Top U1700: $600 - $400
Top U1400/Unr: $500 - $300
Trophy/Plaque to top 3
USCF ratings used for pairings and prizes in Challengers
SCHEDULE
Rapid (Friday, July 3)
Round 1 | 11:00am |
Round 2 | 11:50am |
Round 3 | 12:40pm |
Break | |
Round 4 | 2:20pm |
Round 5 | 3:10pm |
Round 6 | 4:00pm |
Round 7 | 4:50pm |
Playoff (if necessary) | 5:30pm |
Blitz (Saturday, July 4)
Round 1 | 11:00am |
Round 2 | 11:25am |
Round 3 | 11:50am |
Round 4 | 12:15pm |
Round 5 | 12:40pm |
Break | |
Round 6 | 2:00pm |
Round 7 | 2:25pm |
Round 8 | 2:50pm |
Round 9 | 3:15pm |
Break | |
Round 10 | 3:50pm |
Round 11 | 4:15pm |
Playoff (if necessary) | 5:00pm |
Creator Invitational (Sunday, July 5)
Round 1 | 10:30am |
Round 2 | 10:45am |
Round 3 | 11:00am |
Round 4 | 11:15am |
Round 5 | 11:30am |
Break | |
Round 6 | 12:15pm |
Round 7 | 12:30pm |
Round 8 | 12:45pm |
Round 9 | 1:00pm |
Playoff (if necessary) | 1:15pm |
Blitz Final (Sunday, July 5)
Round 1 | 2:00pm |
Round 2 | 2:15pm |
Round 3 | 2:30pm |
Round 4 | 2:45pm |
Round 5 | 3:00pm |
Break | |
Round 6 | 3:45pm |
Round 7 | 4:00pm |
Round 8 | 4:15pm |
Round 9 | 4:30pm |
Playoff (if necessary) | 4:45pm |
TOURNAMENT ENTRY
Challengers Section Entry Fee: $250
Masters Section Entry Fee: $350
Free entry for GMs.
Entry covers both the rapid and blitz events, as well as spectator passes for Sunday events.
Player Registration Opening Soon!
SPECTATOR ENTRY
Only players, invited guests, staff, and those with spectator passes will be allowed into the playing venue and surrounding areas at any time - no exceptions. This includes family members of players.
Standard Pass
Grants access to playing hall and playing floor.
Friday, July 3: $75.00
Saturday, July 4: $75.00
Sunday, July 5: $150.00
All Days: $250.00
VIP Pass
Access to exlusive areas in playing hall, playing level, and VIP Lounge (light food and drinks). Commemorative memorial chess board included.
Friday, July 3: $250.00
Saturday, July 4: $250.00
Sunday, July 5: $350.00
All Days: $700.00
Spectator Registration Opening Soon!
SECURING THE FUTURE
The 1st Annual Naroditsky Memorial is a mission-driven event. To ensure the long-term sustainability of this initiative, 100% of all entry fees and spectator pass proceeds are directed to the Naroditsky Memorial Fund.
These funds are managed by the Charlotte Chess Center Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, which houses the Naroditsky Endowment. Your contribution directly supports the continuation of this premier event and the Naroditsky Fellowship, a prestigious program for rising players and educators to be announced later this year.
Interested in sponsoring? Help us sustain this initiative - contact the CCCF.
CONTACT/CONDITIONS
events@charlottechesscenter.org - general contact information
Conditions are available for GMs – request conditions by April 1 and officially confirm participation by May 1 (strict deadlines). Contact Dr. Walter High – walter@charlottechesscenter.org
Regulations Document Coming Soon