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2026 NC K-12 Championship

Feb 27 - Mar 01, 2026

Plan Ahead

Scholastic

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OVERVIEW

The 2026 NC K-12 Championship is the official scholastic state championship of North Carolina, and is the state qualifier for the Denker, Barber, and Rockefeller National Invitationals.  It will award over 100 trophies. 


Important: there is a registration cap of 500 players - online registration will close once capacity is reached.



WHEN

February 27 - March 1, 2026

 

Blitz tournament and suggested arrival: Friday, February 27

K-1 and Bughouse: Saturday, February 28

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



WHERE

Hilton Charlotte University Place

8629 J M Keynes Drive

Charlotte, NC 28262

Free Internet, Free Parking

​


​HOTEL BOOKING

$129/Night - Free Internet, Parking

Booking Link - Reserve by Feb 1



ELIGIBILITY

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

  • NEW – 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


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

  • Registration cap – there will be a cap of 500 players in the main event.

    • Registration will close when we are full.

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

  • Side event registration

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

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



SECTIONS AND TIME CONTROLS

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


Bughouse: Saturday night. 2 sections (K-12, K-5) – 5 double rounds (10 games total). 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 National Invitational (see tiebreak 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 National Invitational (see tiebreak 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 National Invitational (see tiebreak 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

 

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



ENTRY FEES


NC K-12 Main Event

  • Registration will close when we reach 500 players.

  • $70 online by 1/10

  • $89 online by 2/20

  • $110 online after 2/20

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


Side Events

  • Blitz: $30 online by 2/20, $40 online after 2/20, $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

TBD



CONTACT

For all event related inquiries email: events@charlottechesscenter.org


Register Now
Pre-Registered List

RULES AND NOTES

 

  • Please read Terms and Conditions.

  • The 2026 NC K-12 Championship is the official state scholastic championship of North Carolina.  It is organized by the Charlotte Chess Center with the approval of the North Carolina Chess Association.

  • 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.

  • During play, no spectators, parents, or coaches are allowed in the playing area or nearby hallways.  No exceptions.

  • Withdrawals/Refunds

    • $10 transaction fee until 2/26, 5:00pm.

    • 50% refunds after 2/26, until 2 hours before the start time of the first round.

  • Byes

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

    • All byes requested during the tournament are zero points.

  • Sections

    • 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 by email to events@charlottechesscenter.org by 2/27, 5:00pm.

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

  • Read CCC Electronic Device Policy.

  • 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

  • This is an individual swiss tournament with no eliminations – players will play all scheduled rounds unless they request a bye.

  • 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, particularly in the last 2 rounds.

  • 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 tournament with NCCA travel stipend.

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

    • The K-5 Champion qualifies for the 2026 Rockefeller National Invitational tournament with NCCA travel stipend.

    • In case of a tie for first place for the national qualifier spots, all eligible players will play pairs of G/3 +2 blitz games until there is a winner.​ If there are more than 2 players tied, there will be a round robin playoff. Playoff winners will also win the 1st place trophy.

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