Elevate your summer play at the 2025 Charlotte Summer Open, a five-round classical Swiss event with a $6,500 guaranteed prize fund and a $500 Saturday evening blitz. The tournament runs July 18–20, 2025 at the Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte SouthPark in Charlotte, North Carolina. Players will enjoy USCF- and FIDE-rated classical time controls across three days, plus a fast-paced blitz showdown on Saturday night. This Open draws ambitious masters, rising experts, and dedicated club players to SouthPark’s premier chess venue.
Set in Charlotte’s upscale SouthPark neighborhood—just six miles from Uptown and minutes from SouthPark Mall—the Summer Open combines competitive rigor with first-class amenities: spacious playing rooms, free parking, and easy access to hotels and dining. Whether you seek rating gains in the five-round classical field or quick thrills in the blitz side event, this festival offers something for every serious chess enthusiast.
🎯 EVENT DETAILS
| Dates: | July 18 – 20, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Tournament Type: | Classical (5-Round Swiss; USCF & FIDE-rated) + Blitz |
| Total prize fund: | $6,500 (Classical) + $500 (Blitz) |
| Place: | Charlotte, North Carolina, USA |
| Venue: | Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte SouthPark |
| Address: | 4808 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210 |
| Organizer: | Charlotte Chess Center |
| Federation: | US Chess Federation & FIDE |
| Time Control: | See below |
| Number of rounds: | 5 Classical + 1 Blitz |
⏱ TIME CONTROL
Classical rounds use G/90 + 30 sec increment from move one, allowing deep strategic battles. The Saturday blitz follows G/5 + 2 sec increment for fast-paced excitement.
🗓 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
| Day | Rounds | Start Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jul 18 | Round 1 | 6:30 PM EDT |
| Sat, Jul 19 | Rounds 2 & 3 | 11:00 AM / 4:00 PM |
| Blitz Side Event | 8:00 PM EDT | |
| Sun, Jul 20 | Rounds 4 & 5 | 11:00 AM / 4:00 PM |
Players may request up to two half-point byes before Round 2.
💰 PRIZE FUND
The Summer Open awards a $6,500 prize pool in the classical section plus $500 for the blitz event. Prize breakdowns by place and rating sections will be published on site.
📝 REGISTRATION
- Entry fee (Classical): $125 (flat rate)
- Blitz side event: $25 additional
- Cap: 200 players (register early to secure your spot)
- How to register: Sign up via the Charlotte Chess Center registration portal
- Payment: Credit card online or cash/check on-site before Round 1
- Equipment: Digital clocks provided; players may bring personal sets
✈️ TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION
Hilton Garden Inn SouthPark (4808 Sharon Road) offers on-site parking ($10/day) and connects via free hotel shuttle to SouthPark Mall.
- By car: Accessible off I-485 Exit 52A (Sharon Road)
- By air: Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is 12 miles northwest; taxi/rideshare available
Nearby hotels:
- Homewood Suites by Hilton (adjacent)
- Hampton Inn & Suites (0.3 mi)
- Canopy by Hilton (0.4 mi)
🏛️ ORGANIZER
The Charlotte Chess Center is North Carolina’s premier chess hub, offering classes, camps, and tournaments since 2011. CCC hosts flagship events such as the Charlotte Open, Carolinas Classic, U.S. Masters Chess Championship, and the Charlotte Summer Open each year. With professional pairings, live streaming, and GM-led lectures, CCC fosters competitive excellence and community growth.
📞 CONTACT DETAILS
- Address: 10700 Kettering Drive, Ste E, Charlotte, NC 28226, USA
- Email (main): info@charlottechesscenter.org
- Phone (main): (980) 265-115O
- Official website: https://www.charlottechesscenter.org/
🌟 WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE
The 2025 Charlotte Summer Open offers competitive depth, generous prizes, and a prime SouthPark location—all under professional organization by the Charlotte Chess Center. Whether you pursue classical rating gains, blitz glory, or simply enjoy top-level competition in a vibrant chess community, this Open delivers an unforgettable summer festival. Secure your entry now and make your next move in Charlotte!
Additional Details
Playing Venue - Mayo Civic Center
Prize Fund - $7,000
Organizer - Charlotte Chess Center
Organizer Phone - +1 (980) 265-1156
Organizer email - info@charlottechesscenter.org
Tournament Director - Sarah Wahl
Time control - Each event uses 60 min per player plus a 30-sec increment; games finish in under two hours.
Number of rounds - 5 (Open & Women & Girls)
Tournament system - SWISS
Rating - FIDE
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.