2026 NC K-12 Championship | CCC
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2026 NC K-12 Championship

Feb 27 - Mar 01, 2026

Off-Site Events

Scholastic

REGISTER


OVERVIEW

The 2026 NC K-12 Championship is the official North Carolina state scholastic championship, and is the qualifier for several US Chess National Invitationals.  It will award over 150 trophies. 


There is a registration cap of 500 players - registration will close once capacity is reached.



WHEN

February 27 - March 1, 2026

 

Friday, February 27: Blitz tournament and suggested arrival

Saturday, February 28: K-1 Section and Bughouse

Saturday, February 28 – Sunday, March 1: K-12, K-8, K-5, K-3 Sections



WHERE

Hilton Charlotte University Place

8629 JM Keynes Drive

Charlotte, NC 28262

Free Internet, Free Parking

​


​HOTEL BOOKING

$129/Night - Free Internet, Parking

Booking Link Coming Soon



REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

  • Only scholastic players (K-12) who live or attend school in North Carolina are permitted to play.

  • No unrated players in K-3 or higher sections.

    • Except for the K-1 section, all players must have a US Chess Over-the-Board Regular Rating based on at least 4 rated games. No exceptions.

    • Quick, blitz, and online ratings are not accepted. Players must have OTB regular USCF ratings from at least 4 rated games.

    • Unrated players in K-3 or above may register early, but must complete the 4 game requirement before the tournament, or they will be removed without a refund.

  • US Chess membership is required for all players.  Membership renewal is not handled by the organizers and must be done before the tournament.

  • Registration is online only – coming soon.  No mailed or on-site entries.

  • Registration cap – 500 players.

    • Registration will close when we are full.

    • If we are not full, registration will close at 6:30pm on Friday, February 27.

    • Organizers reserve the right to accept limited entries past 500 depending on specific space constraints.

  • Side event registration:

    • Blitz – online or on-site by 6:30pm Friday.

    • Bughouse – on-site only by 6:30pm Saturday.

  • Use this link to change sections or other information for a player you have already registered.

  • We have a strict no parent/spectator policy during play. See the full policy below. By registering for this event, you acknowledge that parents and coaches will not be able to see their children while they are playing until they are finished with their game.



SECTIONS AND TIME CONTROLS

All sections are 2 days (Sat/Sun) except for K-1 (Saturday only)


K-12 Championship: 5 rounds. Rounds 1-3: G/60, inc/5. Rounds 4-5: G/75, inc/5.


K-12 Under 1500: 5 rounds. Rounds 1-3: G/60, inc/5. Rounds 4-5: G/75, inc/5.


K-8 Championship: 5 rounds. Rounds 1-3: G/60, inc/5. Rounds 4-5: G/75, inc/5.


K-8 Under 1200: 5 rounds. Rounds 1-3: G/60, inc/5. Rounds 4-5: G/75, inc/5.


K-5 Championship: 6 rounds. G/45, inc/5.


K-5 Under 900: 6 rounds, G/45, inc/5.


K-3 Championship: 6 rounds, G/45, inc/5.


K-3 Under 600: 6 rounds, G/45, inc/5.


K-1: Saturday only, 6 rounds. G/25, inc/5.


Blitz: Friday night. K-12 and K-5 Sections – 4 double rounds (8 games). G/5, inc/0.


Bughouse: Saturday night. K-12 and K-5 Sections - 5 double rounds (10 games). G/3, inc/0.

 


SCHEDULE


K-12 Champ, K-12 U1500, K-8 Champ, K-8 U1200

  • Saturday Round Start Times: 10:00am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm

  • Sunday Round Start Times: 9:30am, 1:00pm

  • Awards Ceremony: Sunday 4:00pm


K-5 Champ, K-5 U900, K-3 Champ, K-3 U600

  • Saturday Round Start Times: 9:30am, 12:00pm, 2:30pm

  • Sunday Round Start Times: 9:00am, 11:30am, 2:00pm

  • Awards Ceremony: Sunday 4:00pm


K-1 (Saturday only)

  • Saturday Round Start Times: 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm

  • K-1 Awards Ceremony: Saturday 5:00pm


Blitz: Friday 7:00-8:30pm, blitz awards 8:45pm.


Bughouse: Saturday 7:00-8:30pm, bughouse awards 8:45pm.

​


AWARDS


K-12 Championship

Trophies to top 10 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

1st Place qualifies to Denker High School National Invitational (see regulations below)


K-12 Under 1500

Trophies to top 10 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

​

K-8 Championship

Trophies to top 10 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

1st Place qualifies to Barber Middle School National Invitational (see regulations below)

 

K-8 Under 1200

Trophies to top 10 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

 

K-5 Championship

Trophies to top 15 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

1st Place qualifies to Rockefeller K-5 National Invitational (see regulations below)


K-5 Under 900

Trophies to top 15 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

 

K-3 Championship

Trophies to top 10 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

1st Place qualifies to Ashley K-3 National Invitational (see regulations below)

 

K-3 Under 600

Trophies to top 10 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

 

K-1

Trophies to top 10 players

Medals to all players

Trophies to top 3 teams

 

Blitz

Trophies to top 5 players in each section (K-12, K-5)

Trophies to top 2 teams in each section

 

Bughouse

Trophies to top 5 teams (2 trophies per team) in both sections (K-12, K-5)

 

​All trophies must be claimed on-site. No mailed awards.



ENTRY FEES


NC K-12 Main Event

  • $70 online by January 10

  • $89 online by February 20

  • $110 online after February 20

  • $30 K-1 to K-3 re-entry: on-site only by Saturday 7:30pm.


Side Events

  • Blitz: $30 online by February 20, $40 online after February 20, $50 on-site. All blitz registration closes Friday 6:30pm.

  • Bughouse: $40 per team, on-site registration only.  Bughouse registration closes Saturday 6:30pm.



VOLUNTEERS

The CCC is looking for volunteers to help with scorekeeping and setup - no experience necessary! Please contact events@charlottechesscenter.org if you can assist.



CONTACT

events@charlottechesscenter.org


Use this link to change sections or other information for a player you have already registered.


Use this link to withdraw (cancel) from the event.


  • Please read CCC Terms and Conditions and Fair Play Policy.

  • Only active players and event staff are permitted in the playing area and nearby hallways - no spectators, parents, or coaches. No exceptions.

    • By registering for this event, you acknowledge that parents and coaches will not be able to see their children while they are playing until they are finished with their game.

  • Notation is optional in the K-1 and K-3 U600 sections, and required in all K-12, K-8, K-5 sections, plus K-3 Championship.

  • Withdrawals/Refunds:

    • Withdrawals by February 20 will be refunded less a $10 transaction fee.

    • Withdrawals between February 20-26 will be refunded less a $20 transaction fee.

    • 50% refunds after February 26 until 75 minutes before round 1.

    • All withdrawals during the event must be submitted at least 75 minutes before the affected round.

  • Byes:

    • Up to 2 optional half-point byes, request before round 1 begins.

    • All byes requested during the tournament are zero points.

  • Players are strongly suggested to play in the section as determined by their grade/age, not their rating.

    • For example, a 5th grader rated 1400 should play in K-5 Championship, not K-12 U1500, K-12 Championship, or K-8 Championship.

  • K-1 to K-3 Re-Entry:

    • Players in the K-1 section (Saturday) may re-enter into K-3’s Sunday rounds for a $30 fee.  Re-entry registration is on-site only, anytime until Saturday 8:30pm.

    • K-1 re-entries rated 600+ will be placed in the K-3 Championship section with a score of 1.0/3.  K-1 re-entries rated under 600 will be placed in the K-3 U600 section with a score of 1.0/3.

  • Changes:

    • All section or bye changes after registration must be submitted online by 2/27, 5:00pm.

    • Any changes after that may incur a $10 fee.

  • Boards, sets, and clocks are provided in all sections – must use our equipment.

  • All prizes must be claimed on-site.  No mailed prizes.

  • In all sections, White’s clock will be started at the start of the round, even if players are not present.

  • 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.

 

TECHNICAL REGULATIONS

  • Each section is an individual swiss tournament with no eliminations – players will play all scheduled rounds.

  • Players are not required to be part of a school chess program or team to participate.

  • Accelerated pairings may be used at TD’s discretion.

  • Team awards – minimum 2 players from the same school in the same section.

  • Top 4 scores contribute to team scores.

  • Teammate pairings are avoided but are possible.

  • February 2026 US Chess (supplement) ratings will be used for pairings and prizes in all sections.

    • Unrated players will usually have their unofficial live rating used.

    • TD reserves the right to assign a rating to any player for any reason.

  • The following USCF tiebreaks are used for individual and team prizes and final places, except for the national invitational spots.

    • TB1 - Modified Median, TB2 - Solkoff, TB3 - Cumulative, TB4 - Cumulative Opposition.

    • See explanation of tiebreaks here.

  • National Invitationals

    • The K-12 Champion (must be in 9th-12th grade) qualifies for the 2026 Denker National Invitational.

    • The K-8 Champion (must be in 6th-8th grade) qualifies for the 2026 Barber National Invitational.

    • The K-5 Champion qualifies for the 2026 Rockefeller National Invitational tournament.

    • The K-3 Champion qualifies for the 2026 Ashley National Invitational tournament.

    • In case of a tie for first place for the national invitational spots, all eligible tied players will a blitz (G/3; inc/2) playoff.

      • If at any stage there are only two players in a remaining tie, they shall contest a 2-game blitz match.

      • More than 2 players tied: single round robin playoff.

      • Playoff results will also determine individual awards - e.g. playoff winners will also win the 1st place trophy.

      • 2nd place in the above championship sections will be designated the "alternate" for the national invitationals.

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