OVERVIEW
The Charlotte Spring Open is a classical event with a $6,000 guaranteed prize fund - $5,500 in the main event plus a FREE $500 Blitz tournament! All sections are US Chess and FIDE rated. There is a minimum rating of 1200 and registration cap of 140 players - we expect to sell out so please register early.
WHEN
May 1-3 or 2-3, 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
Both hotel options attached to the playing venue.
Please email us if the booking links are not showing the correct rate.
Hilton Garden Inn - Southpark
$134 per night single or $149 for double
Free internet and parking
Homewood Suites - Southpark
Overflow hotel, attached to official venue
King Suites only - larger rooms with pullout sofa bed, full kitchen, dining table
$152 for King suite
Free internet and parking
ELIGIBILITY
There is a strict USCF rating minimum of 1200 to enter, based on the May supplement or a peak rating since April 1.
There is a registration cap of 140 players.
SCHEDULE
3-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds
Friday: 6:30pm
Saturday: 10:30am & 4:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am & 3:00pm
2-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds
Saturday: 10:30am*, 1:00pm*, 4:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am & 3:00pm
*Rounds 1-2 of 2-Day Schedule played at G/30; inc/10 time control, then merge with 3-day schedule, Saturday 4:00pm
TIME CONTROLS
3-Day Schedule: G/110; inc/10
Rounds 1-2 of 2-day Schedule: G/30, inc/10
PRIZES AND SECTIONS
$5,500 Guaranteed Prize Fund in 3 Sections
Championship Section - FIDE Rated - 40 US Chess Grand Prix Points
$1200 - $600 - $300
Top U2200: $400
Under 2000 Section - FIDE Rated
$700 - $400 - $200
Top U1800: $300
Under 1600 Section - FIDE Rated
$600 - $300 - $200
Top U1400: $300
Minimum rating of 1200.
100-point rule applies for "playing up" a section - see Special Notes at bottom of page.
Plaques to first place in all sections.
ENTRY FEE
$135 by April 15
$150 after April 15
GM/IM/WGMs: FREE, no deduction from prize if registered by March 1, otherwise $130 deducted from prize.
SPRING OPEN BLITZ (FREE)
Saturday 8:30pm
Blitz Registration On-site only, Saturday 4:30-8:15pm – No online blitz registration
Free blitz entry for players in the Charlotte Spring Open.
Open to all players - $30 on-site blitz entry for those not in the Spring Open.
6 (single) Rounds – USCF regular ratings used for pairings/prizes.
$500 guaranteed prize fund in one section:
$200 - $100 - $60. Top U2000: $80, Top U1600: $60
US Chess and FIDE blitz rated. US Chess membership required.
CONTACT
events@charlottechesscenter.org
Use this link to withdraw from the event. Withdrawals close 75 minutes prior to round 1.
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 hallway.
100-Point Rule: Must be within 100 points of next section to play up (e.g. 1900+ to enter Championship). In addition to May 2026 US Chess Regular Supplement Ratings, we will also honor peak ratings since April 1.
Section Adjustment: Players who register for a section that they are not eligible will be moved to the highest section they are eligible for, usually without notification.
Ratings:
Minimum rating: There is a USCF rating minimum of 1200 to enter (peak ratings since April 1 are honored).
All sections are US Chess rated. US Chess membership is required.
All sections are also FIDE-rated and use FIDE rules, except for 2-day schedule, rounds 1-2.
Ratings Used for Pairings and Prizes:
For most players, May 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 April 1, but who have since fallen below the 100-point cutoff, they are still eligible for the higher section, but the highest of their May supplement and most recent live rating will be used (not necessarily the peak rating).
For foreign FIDE-rated players with no US Chess rating (or insufficient recent US Chess rating history), the following formulas may be used to assign a US Chess rating:
FIDE Ratings 2000+: 1.02 * FIDE + 20.
FIDE Ratings U2000: usually assigned at par, unless a different foreign rating system (e.g. CFC) is available and used for rating assignment, with possible adjustment by the Chief TD.
In exceptional cases, the Chief TD may assign a different rating than specified above to a player for any reason. Assigned ratings will never be lower than the current US Chess supplement used for the event.
Registration Cap: Registration closes at 140 players. The organizers reserve the right to accept entries past 140 players depending on specific space constraints.
Re-Entry:
If players have an undesirable start to the event, they may wish to re-enter, for example re-entering from the 3-day to the 2-day schedule, or re-entering the same schedule with up to 2 half-point byes.
Players may re-enter for a $60 fee online or on-site (cash only).
Re-entry closes 75 minutes before game.
Withdrawals / Refunds:
Online withdrawals by April 25 will be refunded less a $10 transaction fee.
Online withdrawals between April 26-29 will be refunded less a $20 transaction fee.
50% refunds after April 29 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.
Byes: Players may take up to 2 optional half-point byes, request before round 1. All byes requested during the tournament are zero points.
Boards, sets, clocks provided (must use our equipment).
In all sections, White's clock will be started at the beginning of the round, even if one or both 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.
