OVERVIEW
The Charlotte Winter Classic is a new classical event with a guaranteed prize fund of $6,000 plus a $500 Saturday evening blitz. There is a minimum rating of 1300 and registration cap of 140 players - we expect to sell out so please register well in advance.
The Winter Classic is held just before the Charlotte Winter Elite Camp, featuring top level training with GMs Aryan Tari, Arturs Neiksans, and RB Ramesh.
WHEN
December 26-28 or 27-28, 2025
Held just before Charlotte Winter Elite Camp (same venue), December 29 – January 2
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
Free internet and parking
HOTEL BOOKING
Both hotel options attached to the playing venue.
Hilton Garden Inn - Southpark
$128/night for King or $138 for 2 doubles
Homewood Suites - Southpark (overflow hotel)
$149 for King suite with sofa bed
ELIGIBILITY
There is a minimum rating of 1300 to enter, based on December US Chess ratings or a peak rating since October 15.
See events schedule for other options this weekend.
REGISTRATION
Online registration only - no on-site registration.
All registration closes 75 minutes before round 1 start time.
On-site check-in is not necessary for players.
TIME CONTROLS
3-Day Schedule: G/110; inc/10
Rounds 1-2 of 2-day Schedule: G/30, inc/10
PRIZES & SECTIONS
$6,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund in 3 Sections.
Championship - FIDE Rated
$1200 - $600 - $400
Top U2200: $400
Under 2000 Section - FIDE Rated
$800 - $400 - $200
Top U1800: $300
Under 1700 Section – FIDE Rated
$800 – $400 – $200
Top U1500: $300
Minimum rating of 1300.
100-point Rule applies for "playing up" - see Special Notes below.
Plaques to first place in all sections.
FREE $500 Blitz
Saturday 8:30pm
Blitz Registration On-site only, Saturday 4:30-8:15pm – No online blitz registration.
Free blitz entry for players in the Winter Classic.
Open to all players - $30 on-site blitz entry for those not in the main event.
6 (single) Rounds – USCF regular ratings used for pairings/prizes.
$500 guaranteed prize fund in one section with under prizes.
US Chess and FIDE blitz rated. US Chess membership required.
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 played at G/30; inc/10 time control, then merge with 3-Day, Saturday 4:00pm
ENTRY FEE
$125 by December 17
$140 after December 17
GM/IM/WGMs: Free Online Entry, no deduction from prize if registered by December 1, otherwise $125 deducted.
Re-entry: $60. See information under "Special Notes" below.
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 December 2025 US Chess supplement ratings, we will also honor peak ratings since October 15.
Adjustment of Section: 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:
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 games.
Minimum rating: There is a USCF rating minimum of 1300 to enter, based on December US Chess supplement ratings or a peak rating since October 15.
Ratings Used for Pairings and Prizes:
For most players, December 2025 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 October 15, but who have since fallen below the 100-point cutoff, they are still eligible for the higher section, but the highest of their December supplement and live rating will be used (not necessarily the peak rating).
For players with a December supplement rating under 1300, the highest of their December supplement and live rating will be used.
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.
Re-Entry:
If players have an undesirable start to the event, they may wish to re-enter online for a $60 fee.
Re-entry closes 75 minutes before game.
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 December 20 will be refunded less a $10 transaction fee.
Withdrawals between December 21-24 will be refunded less a $20 transaction fee.
50% refunds after December 24 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.
Boards, sets, clocks provided (must use our equipment).
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, players and guests grant permission to CCC to take and use photographs and video for purposes related to the event.