2026 Charlotte Open
Celebrate MLK Weekend (January 17–19, 2026) with three exciting days of chess at the $15,000 Guaranteed 2026 Charlotte Open organised by the Charlotte Chess Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Set in a vibrant chess-friendly atmosphere, this tournament offers seven sections with both FIDE- and US Chess-ratings, side blitz and scholastic events, and a truly inclusive experience from beginner to master.
Hosted at the heart of Charlotte, the event blends serious competition with community engagement — including game-analysis, commentary sessions and blitz challenges led by titled players. Whether you’re striving for class prizes, one of the seven sections, or simply looking for a strong weekend of chess, this tournament delivers top-level value and a welcoming setting.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | Saturday, January 17, 2026 – Monday, January 19, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Charlotte, North Carolina, USA |
| ♟️ Format | 6-Round Swiss in seven sections; 3-day schedule for Championship section |
| 💵 Entry Fee | $149 by January 6; $165 by January 13; $180 after January 13 |
| ⭐ Rating | Top sections FIDE-rated; all sections US Chess-rated |
| ✅ Eligibility | Open to all players; GMs/IMs/WGMs free online if registered by December 20 (for Championship) |
| 🎯 Prize Fund | $15,000 Guaranteed across all sections |
| 🔧 Additional | Side events: $1,000 Blitz on Sunday, K-8 Scholastic on Saturday |
🏆 Prize Fund
| Section | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | $1,600 | $800 | $600 | $400 |
| Top U2300 in Champ | $600 | $300 | — | — |
| Under 2100 | $1,200 | $600 | $300 | $200 |
| Under 1900 | $1,000 | $500 | $300 | $200 |
| Under 1700 | $800 | $400 | $300 | $200 |
| Under 1500 | $800 | $400 | $300 | $200 |
| Under 1300 | $700 | $400 | $250 | $150 |
| Under 1100 | $700 | $400 | $250 | $150 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
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The Championship section follows a standard classical time control (game/110 minutes + 10 sec increment) for all rounds.
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Pairings are Swiss format; sections may merge or adjust based on turnout.
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Side events such as the Blitz (G/5 d0) and K-8 Scholastic (5-round US Chess-rated) run alongside the main event.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Championship | FIDE-rated top section |
| Under 2100 | FIDE-rated |
| Under 1900 | FIDE-rated |
| Under 1700 | FIDE-rated |
| Under 1500 | US Chess-rated |
| Under 1300 | US Chess-rated |
| Under 1100 | US Chess-rated |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 17 | 10:30 AM | Round 1 |
| Sat, Jan 17 | 4:00 PM | Round 2 |
| Sat, Jan 17 | Evening | K-8 Scholastic event begins |
| Sun, Jan 18 | 10:30 AM | Round 3 |
| Sun, Jan 18 | 4:00 PM | Round 4 |
| Sun, Jan 18 | 8:45 PM | $1,000 Blitz Side-Event |
| Mon, Jan 19 | 10:00 AM | Round 5 |
| Mon, Jan 19 | 3:00 PM | Round 6 |
📝 Registration
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Online registration through official event page: https://www.charlottechesscenter.org/events/charlotteopen
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Entry fee: $149 early bird, $165 standard, $180 late.
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GMs/IMs/WGMs free online entry for Championship section if registered by December 20; otherwise $140 deducted from their prize.
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Re-entry permitted; full re-entry information and byes detailed on the official site.
👥 Organizer
Organised by the Charlotte Chess Center, local chess‐community leader in Charlotte, NC.
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Phone: [available on website]
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Website: https://www.charlottechesscenter.org
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Twitter/X: https://x.com/CLTchesscenter
🏨 Venue
Venue: UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center (or venue specified on event site) in Charlotte, NC. Full amenities, hotel blocks, and on-site registration available.
🛎️ Accommodation
Players and families may book at the official hotel block with special tournament rates — details available on the event registration page. Additional nearby hotels and budget options are listed on the official tournament site.
🚗 How to Get There
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Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) serves Charlotte with flight connections major US hubs.
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Venue accessible by car or ride‐share; free parking details provided by the hotel venue.
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From downtown Charlotte: follow signs to the university area and the Marriott Conference Center for the tournament venue.
May your pieces dance, your tactics flourish and your weekend at the Charlotte Open be truly memorable!
