Registration Coming Soon!
OVERVIEW
The Charlotte Winter Classic is a classical event with a $7,500 guaranteed prize fund - $7,000 in the main event plus a FREE $500 Sunday evening blitz. The event is open to all - there is no minimum rating or registration cap.
The Winter Classic is held just after the NA Junior Championship (same venue) and just before the Winter Elite Camp (different venue).
WHEN
December 26-28 or 27-28, 2025
WHERE
Great venue in the heart of Southpark! Walk to Starbucks, Whole Foods and more!
Hilton Charlotte University Place
8629 JM Keynes Drive
Charlotte, NC 28262
Free Internet, Free Parking
$139/Night
Click "edit stay" at the top of the booking page to select your exact dates
Please email us if the booking link is not showing the correct rate.
ELIGIBILITY
This event is fully open! There is no minimum rating or registration cap.
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
Championship Section, 3-Day Schedule: G/110; inc/10
Under Sections, 3-Day Schedule: G/100, inc/10
2-day Schedule: Rounds 1-2: G/30, inc/10, Rounds 3-5: same as 3-day above
PRIZES & SECTIONS
$7,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund in 4 Sections.
Championship - FIDE Rated
40 US Chess Grand Prix Points
$1200 - $600 - $300
Top U2200: $350
Under 2100 Section - FIDE Rated
$800 - $400 - $200
Top U1900: $300
Under 1800 Section – FIDE Rated
$700 – $350 – $200
Top U1600: $250
Under 1400 Section
$600 – $300 – $200
Top U1100: $250
100-point Rule applies for "playing up" - see Special Notes below.
Plaques to first place in all sections.
FREE $500 WINTER CLASSIC BLITZ
Sunday, 12/27, 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:
$200 - $100 - $60. Top U1900: $80, Top U1500: $60
US Chess and FIDE blitz rated. US Chess membership required.
SCHEDULE
3-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds
Saturday: 6:30pm
Sunday: 10:30am & 4:00pm
Monday: 10:00am & 3:00pm
2-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds
Sunday: 10:30am*, 1:00pm*, 4:00pm
Monday: 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
$135 by December 17
$150 after December 17
GM/IM/WGMs: Free Online Entry, no deduction from prize if registered by December 1, otherwise $130 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. 2000+ to enter Championship). In addition to December 2026 US Chess supplement ratings, we will also honor peak ratings since November 1.
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.
Ratings Used for Pairings and Prizes:
For most players, December 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 November 1, 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.