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2026 Charlotte Summer Open

Jul 31 - Aug 02, 2026

Off-Site Events

Ratings 1200+

Register Now
Pre-Registered List

Registration Coming Soon!


OVERVIEW

The Charlotte Summer Open takes place July 31 - August 2, 2026 in SouthPark Charlotte. It is a 5 round classical event with a $6000 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

July 31 - August 2 or August 1-2, 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.

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 2 Queens

Booking Link - Reserve ASAP


Homewood Suites - Southpark

$152 for King suite with sofa bed

Free Breakfast

Booking Link - Reserve ASAP




ELIGIBILITY

  • Must be members of US Chess.

  • There is a USCF rating minimum of 1200 to enter, based on July US Chess ratings or a peak rating achieved between June 1 - July 31.

  • 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 CONTROLS

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.



ENTRY FEE

$135 by July 15

$150 after July 15 


GM/IM/WGMs: Free, no deduction from prize if registered by June 22, otherwise $130 deducted from prize.



FREE SUMMER OPEN BLITZ

  • Saturday 8/1, 8:30pm

  • Blitz Registration On-site only, Saturday 4:00-8:15pm

  • No online or emailed blitz registration.

  • Free blitz entry for players in the Charlotte Summer Open.

  • Open to all players - $30 on-site blitz entry for those not in the Summer Open.

    • Cash only for on-site blitz entry.

  • 6 (single) Rounds – USCF 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 U2000: $80, Top U1700: $60



CONTACT

events@charlottechesscenter.org


Register Now
Pre-Registered List
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 the July 2026 US Chess Regular Supplement Ratings, we will also honor peak ratings since June 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 June 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, July 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 June 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 the event.

    • Players may re-enter for a $60 fee

    • Re-entry closes Saturday 9:15am

  • Withdrawals / Refunds:

    • Online withdrawals by July 25 will be refunded less a $10 transaction fee.

    • Online withdrawals between July 26-29 will be refunded less a $20 transaction fee.

    • 50% refunds after July 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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