2026 Fall Southeastern FIDE & Fall FIDE Blitz
2026 Fall Southeastern FIDE & Fall FIDE Blitz takes place from September 5-7, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. This is a chess tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, in 2026. The event combines a three-section FIDE rated chess tournament and classical chess tournament with a Sunday night blitz side event at the Hilton Garden Inn – SouthPark. The main tournament offers a guaranteed USD 5,000 prize fund, while the blitz adds extra competitive action during Labor Day weekend.
Moreover, this chess tournament in Charlotte gives players the chance to enjoy both long-play and fast-play formats in one organized weekend. The 2026 Fall Southeastern FIDE & Fall FIDE Blitz brings together serious over-the-board competition, a respected SouthPark venue, and a schedule that suits players who want more than one rated event in the same trip. As a result, this chess event in Charlotte appeals to experts, masters, improving club players, and ambitious competitors looking for a full Labor Day chess festival in North Carolina.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | September 5-7, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Charlotte, North Carolina, USA |
| ♟️ Format | 3-section Swiss main event plus blitz side event |
| ⭐ Rating | Main event is FIDE rated and US Chess rated; blitz is a separate rated blitz event |
| 📂 Sections | Championship, Under 2100, Under 1800, plus Fall FIDE Blitz |
| ⏱️ Time control | Main event: 90 minutes with 30-second increment from move 1 |
| 💳 Entry fee | Main event: $149 by August 18; $165 after August 18 |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 5,000 (approx.) |
| 👥 Capacity | 125 players |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Runs alongside the Labor Day CCC GM Norm Invitational and includes a Sunday night blitz side event |
🏆 Prize Fund
The guaranteed main event cash prize fund totals $5,000.
| Section | Cash prizes |
|---|---|
| Championship | $1000, $500, $300; Top U2250: $350 |
| Under 2100 | $700, $350, $200; Top U1950: $250 |
| Under 1800 | $600, $300, $200; Top U1600: $250 |
In addition, the Championship section awards 30 US Chess Grand Prix points. Plaques also go to first place in all sections.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The main event uses a classical time control of 90 minutes for each player with a 30-second increment from move one. Moreover, all three main sections are both FIDE rated and US Chess rated, which makes the tournament especially attractive for players who want serious rated games over a holiday weekend.
The event also separates players into clear rating groups for the Championship, Under 2100, and Under 1800 sections. In addition, the Sunday blitz side event gives participants an extra chance to compete in a faster format after the main classical rounds.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Championship | Open top section | FIDE rated |
| Under 2100 | Under 2100 | FIDE rated |
| Under 1800 | Under 1800 | FIDE rated |
| Fall FIDE Blitz | Open side event | Separate Sunday night blitz tournament |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 5, 2026 | Saturday | Main event rounds | |
| September 6, 2026 | Sunday | 9:00 PM | Fall FIDE Blitz |
| September 7, 2026 | Monday | Main event rounds |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Main event online; blitz registration on site only |
| Entry fee | Main event: $149 by August 18; $165 after August 18 |
| Blitz registration | On site only on Sunday from 4:30 PM to 8:45 PM |
| Online registration | Available for the main event only |
| Check-in | No on-site check-in is required for the main event |
| Capacity | Limited to 125 players |
| Special note | No online or emailed registration for the blitz side event |
👥 Organizer
Charlotte Chess Center organizes this Labor Day weekend chess festival in SouthPark Charlotte and continues to run one of the strongest FIDE event calendars in the region. In addition, the organizer is well known for structured section tournaments, norm events, and professionally managed weekend competitions in North Carolina.
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Address: 4808 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210, USA
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Phone: +1 980-265-1156
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Website: https://www.charlottechesscenter.org/events/fallfide
🏨 Venue
Hilton Garden Inn – SouthPark, 4808 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210, USA
The tournament takes place in SouthPark Charlotte, a convenient part of the city with restaurants, shops, and daily services close by. Moreover, the venue supports both the main classical competition and the added blitz action during the same weekend. Free parking is also available for players and visitors.
🚗 How to Get There
Players can reach the venue easily by car within Charlotte’s SouthPark area. Moreover, the hotel setting makes local travel simple for visitors staying in the city over Labor Day weekend. Free parking also adds convenience for players, families, and accompanying guests.
Enjoy a full Labor Day chess weekend in Charlotte with classical competition, blitz action, and a strong FIDE-rated atmosphere from start to finish.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $5,000
Organizer
The Charlotte Chess Center serves as the Carolinas’ premier hub for competitive and scholastic chess, fostering growth since its founding in 2011. Each year, CCC organizes flagship tournaments such as the Charlotte Open, the Carolinas Classic, the U.S. Masters Chess Championship, and the Charlotte Summer Open, drawing hundreds of players from across the Southeast. These events feature USCF- and FIDE-rated sections, norm-eligible formats, and high-level prize funds, ensuring both rising talents and seasoned masters enjoy world-class competition under professionally managed conditions.
Beyond its major tournaments, the Center sustains an active calendar of year-round programs: weekly classes for all ages, intensive summer camps, master-level lectures, scholastic leagues, and a thriving membership community. CCC partners with schools, libraries, and regional clubs to deliver outreach initiatives, online coaching, and regular casual play nights—creating a chess ecosystem that supports beginners through titled professionals and cements Charlotte’s reputation as a chess destination.
