Spring Southeastern FIDE 2027 takes place in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, on March 26–28, 2027, with a $5,000 guaranteed prize fund. The three-day Easter-weekend tournament is organized by Charlotte Chess Center, whose regular Southeastern FIDE series brings strong classical competition to the Charlotte area.

The event offers five Swiss-system rounds at G/90 with a 30-second increment. Both the Championship and Under 2050 sections count toward FIDE Standard and US Chess regular ratings. Players must meet a 1300 US Chess rating minimum, and the event has a 115-player registration cap.

Registration is online only through the organizer’s event page. Entry costs $149 through March 10 or $169 afterward. Eligible grandmasters, international masters, and women grandmasters have special entry terms. Prospective players should check the registration status and published eligibility rules before planning their trip.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Each section plays five classical rounds with 90 minutes per player plus a 30-second increment on every move. FIDE rules apply to both sections, while the organizer uses US Chess pairing rules. The March 2027 US Chess rating supplement normally determines pairings and prizes, subject to the organizer’s published live-rating and peak-rating exceptions.

Tie-breaks for Section Plaques

First-place plaques use the organizer’s published tiebreak order: most games played (fewest byes or forfeits), then cumulative score, then average opposition rating with one opponent excluded. This plaque procedure does not replace the announced cash-prize allocations.

🏆 Prize Fund

The tournament guarantees a combined $5,000 across its two playing sections. First place in each section also receives a plaque.

Championship Section — $3,000

Under 2050 Section — $2,000

♟️ Sections

The event has two independently classified sections. Both are FIDE Standard and US Chess Regular rated; the eligibility and playing-up rules apply across them.

For most entrants, eligibility follows the March 2027 US Chess supplement. The organizer also honors qualifying peak ratings achieved from February 1 through March 26, and it explains how live ratings affect players using a permitted play-up exception.

📅 Schedule

All competitors follow the same three-day, five-round schedule on March 26–28, 2027. The start times below come from the organizer’s current event regulations; arrive early enough to be ready to play.

📝 Registration

Players must register through the official Charlotte Chess Center event page; no on-site registration is offered. The organizer caps entries at 115 players, although it may accept additional entrants if space allows. The live registration controls determine whether places can currently be booked.

For questions about entry and conditions, contact events@charlottechesscenter.org. US Chess membership is required. The event page currently displays a closed registration status; check directly before making travel commitments.

🏛️ Organizer

Charlotte Chess Center is a Charlotte-based chess organization that operates year-round rated tournaments, academies, school programs, and high-level invitational events. Its Southeastern FIDE series provides classical games in independently rated sections.

📍 Venue

The tournament takes place at Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte SouthPark, 4808 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210, United States, in Charlotte’s SouthPark district. The hotel sits near SouthPark Mall and other neighborhood shops and restaurants. The organizer confirms free parking at the playing site.

🏨 Accommodation

The playing hotel and several verified SouthPark properties offer convenient bases for the three-day tournament. The organizer advertises specific tournament room rates for Hilton Garden Inn and the adjacent Homewood Suites; those group rates must be requested through the event organizer rather than assumed for affiliate bookings.

🍽️ Nearby Restaurants & Cafés

SouthPark has several dining choices around the playing hotel, including an on-site option for a meal between games. The links below open each named establishment in Google Maps.

🚆 How to Get There

The venue is in the SouthPark neighborhood, south of central Charlotte. Plan your last connection to 4808 Sharon Road; rail passengers and airport arrivals will normally need local ground transportation for the final leg.

✈️ By Air

Fly into Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Hilton describes the hotel as approximately 11 miles from the airport. For the final journey, use an airport-authorized taxi or a ride-app pickup, following the airport’s designated signs and pickup instructions. Check the airport’s official ground transportation guide and ride-app pickup guidance before travel.

🚆 By Rail

Intercity trains serve Charlotte Amtrak Station at 1914 North Tryon Street, northeast of Uptown. The tournament venue is in SouthPark, so allow for a separate taxi, ride-app, or city-bus connection after arrival. Verify train schedules and station facilities on Amtrak’s official Charlotte station page.

🚌 By Local Bus

Charlotte Area Transit System buses connect central Charlotte and the SouthPark area. The SouthPark Community Transit Center at 4400 Sharon Road is served by routes 19, 28, 30, and 57 according to the transit authority. From the center, continue along the local pedestrian route to the hotel or arrange a short local transfer. Check CATS transit centers and current bus routes and schedules for service changes.

🚗 By Car and Parking

Set your navigation destination to Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte SouthPark, 4808 Sharon Road. Regional drivers can approach Charlotte using the interstate network, then follow live directions toward SouthPark and Sharon Road. The tournament organizer confirms free parking at the hotel, although players should check event-day signs and any designated parking areas before leaving their vehicles.

🚶 On Foot in SouthPark

The hotel is within walking reach of SouthPark shops and dining, including the adjacent Homewood Suites property and the SouthPark Mall area. Sidewalks and road crossings vary by route, so follow pedestrian signals and check the exact walking approach from your hotel, bus stop, or restaurant.

ℹ️ Other Information

Players should review the event’s fair-play and spectator policies before arriving. The organizer supplies standard playing equipment and asks competitors to use its provided carbon-copy scoresheets.

Fair Play, Spectators and Media

The organizer does not allow spectators or parents in the playing area or adjacent hallways and restrooms. Players must return a copy of their score sheet to an arbiter after each game. The event terms also cover photographs and videos of participants. Read the linked policies for additional detail.

Useful Official Links