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2026 Charlotte Spring Open

May 01-03, 2026

Off-Site Events

Ratings 1200+


OVERVIEW

The Charlotte Spring Open takes place May 1-3, 2026 in SouthPark Charlotte. It is a classical event with a $6,000 guaranteed prize fund - $5,500 in the main event plus a free $500 Saturday evening blitz tournament.


All sections are US Chess and FIDE rated. There is a minimum rating of 1200 and registration cap of 140 players.



WHEN

May 1-3 or 2-3, 2026

3-day and 2-day schedules available


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.

Free internet, free parking


Hilton Garden Inn - Southpark

$134 per night single or $149 for double 

Booking Link - Reserve by April 16


Homewood Suites - Southpark

$152 for King suite with sofa bed

Free Breakfast

Booking Link - Reserve by April 16



ELIGIBILITY

  • Must be members of US Chess.

  • There is a strict USCF rating minimum of 1200 to enter, based on the May supplement or a peak rating achieved between April 1 - May 1.

  • See events schedule for other options this weekend.



REGISTRATION

  • Online registration only - no on-site registration.

  • All registration closes 90 minutes before round 1 or when capacity is reached.

  • On-site check-in is not necessary.

  • Registration Cap: 140 players. The organizers reserve the right to accept entries past 140 players depending on specific space constraints.



SCHEDULE

3-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds

Friday: 6:30pm

Saturday: 10:30am & 4:00pm

Blitz: Saturday 8:30pm

Sunday: 10:00am & 3:00pm

2-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds

Saturday: 10:30am*, 1:00pm*, 4:00pm

Blitz: Saturday 8:30pm

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 CONTROL

3-Day Schedule: G/110; inc/10

Rounds 1-2 of 2-day Schedule: G/30, inc/10



PRIZES & 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" - see Special Notes below.


Plaques to first place in all sections.



FREE SPRING OPEN BLITZ

  • Saturday, 5/2, 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.

    • Cash only for on-site blitz entry.

  • 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.



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.


Re-entry: $60. See information under "Special Notes" below.



CONTACT

events@charlottechesscenter.org



REGISTER
  • 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.

    • Players who register for a section they are not eligible for will be moved to the appropriate section.

  • 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 90 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).

  • 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.

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