OVERVIEW
The 2026 Spring Southeastern FIDE takes place March 20-22, 2026 in SouthPark Charlotte. There are three FIDE and US Chess rated sections with a minimum rating of 1500 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 125 players. The Spring SE FIDE runs alongside the Spring GM/IM Norm Invitational.
WHEN
March 20-22, 2026
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
Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte SouthPark
$134/Night - King; $149/Night - Two Queens
Free Parking, Free Internet
Homewood Suites Charlotte SouthPark (conjoined hotel)
$152/Night - King Suite
Free Parking, Free Internet, Free Breakfast
ELIGIBILITY
Must be members of US Chess.
There is a USCF rating minimum of 1500 to enter:
This rating minimum applies to all players – adults and kids.
See special notes below for details.
See events schedule for other options this weekend.
SCHEDULE
Date | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
Fri, 3/20 | Round 1 | 6:00pm |
Sat, 3/21 | Round 2 | 10:30am |
Sat, 3/21 | Round 3 | 4:30pm |
Sat, 3/21 | Free Blitz | 9:00pm |
Sun, 3/22 | Round 4 | 10:30am |
Sun, 3/22 | Round 5 | 4:00pm |
TIME CONTROL
G/90, inc/30
SECTIONS AND PRIZES
$5,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund in 3 Sections
Championship Section - FIDE Rated
$1000 - $500 - $300
Top U2250: $350
30 US Chess Grand Prix Points
Under 2100 Section - FIDE Rated
$700 - $350 - $200
Top U1950: $250
Under 1800 Section - FIDE Rated
$600 – $300 – $200
Top U1650: $250
Minimum rating of 1500.
100-point rule applies for "playing up" - see Special Notes below.
Plaques to first place in all sections.
FREE SPRING FIDE BLITZ
Saturday 9:00pm
Blitz Registration On-site only, Saturday 4:30-8:45pm
No online or emailed blitz registration
Free blitz entry for players in the Spring Southeastern FIDE Championship or Spring Norm Invitational
Open to all players - $30 on-site blitz entry for those not in either event
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 U2300: $80, Top U2100: $60.
ENTRY FEE
$149 by March 4
$165 after March 4
GM/IM/WGMs: Free online entry, no deduction from prize if registered by February 23, otherwise $145 deducted from prize.
CONTACT
events@charlottechesscenter.org
For withdrawals, use this form
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 March US Chess supplement ratings, we will also honor peak ratings since February 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 1500 to enter (peak ratings since February 1 are honored).
Ratings Used for Pairings and Prizes:
For most players, March 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 February 1, but who have since fallen below the 100-point cutoff, they are still eligible for the higher section, but the highest of their August supplement and most recent live rating will be used for pairings and prizes (not necessarily the peak rating).
For players with an March supplement rating under 1500, their live rating will be used.
Registration Cap: 125 players. The organizers reserve the right to accept entries past 125 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 March 14 will be refunded less a $10 transaction fee.
Withdrawals between March 15-18 will be refunded less a $20 transaction fee.
50% refunds after March 18 until 75 minutes before round 1.
All withdrawals during the event must be submitted at least 75 minutes before the affected round.
Failure to notify us of a pending withdrawal or zero-point bye which leads to a forfeit by "no-show" will incur a fine of $100.
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.


