2026 Club Rapid and Blitz Championship takes place on May 25, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. This is a chess tournament in Charlotte, United States, in 2026. The event combines the 2026 Club Rapid Championship and the 2026 Club Blitz Championship into one Memorial Day competition day at Charlotte Chess Center Main/South.
The combined program gives players a full day of fast chess. First, the rapid championship starts in the morning. Then, after a short break, the blitz championship follows in the afternoon. Together, the two events offer a $1,500 guaranteed total prize fund and separate club champion titles.
The structure also stays simple and competitive. Both events use one open section with class prizes, both count for US Chess membership players, and both use live US Chess regular ratings for pairings and prizes. In addition, the rapid event is US Chess Quick and FIDE Rapid rated, while the blitz event is US Chess and FIDE Blitz rated.
📌 Event Details
The key tournament facts are below.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏁 Tournament | 2026 Club Rapid and Blitz Championship |
| 📅 Dates | May 25, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States |
| 🏛️ Venue | Charlotte Chess Center Main/South, 10700 Kettering Drive, Unit E, Charlotte, NC 28226, United States |
| ♟️ Format | Same-day rapid championship followed by a same-day blitz championship |
| 👥 Sections | 1 open rapid section and 1 open blitz section |
| ⏱️ Time control | Rapid: G/10 + 5 sec |
| 🌍 Rating | Rapid: US Chess Quick and FIDE Rapid; Blitz: US Chess and FIDE Blitz |
| 💰 Prize fund | $1,500 guaranteed total |
| 👤 Capacity | 62 entries per event |
| 🏢 Organizer | Charlotte Chess Center |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The day starts with the rapid championship. That event uses G/10 + 5 seconds and runs for 5 rounds in one open section. It uses live US Chess regular ratings for pairings and prizes, and it counts for both US Chess Quick and FIDE Rapid rating.
After that, the schedule shifts into the blitz championship. The blitz event begins after the published 2:00–3:00 PM break, and the official page lists a 3:00 PM start with rounds played ASAP until about 6:00 PM. It also uses one open section, live US Chess regular ratings for pairings and prizes, and both US Chess and FIDE blitz rating.
Both events award separate club champion titles. Moreover, CCC awards first place based on cumulative tiebreak and the published average-opposition tiebreak method if needed. The club also states that co-champions may be declared if players tie for first.
🏆 Prize Fund
The confirmed total cash prize fund is $1,500. Of that amount, $650 belongs to the rapid championship and $850 belongs to the blitz championship. Therefore, the Memorial Day program gives players two separate title opportunities and two separate prize structures on the same day.
| Section | Prize details |
|---|---|
| Rapid Championship | $200, $100, $60, $40; Top U1800 $50; Top U1500 $50; Top U1200/Unrated $50; Top Female $50; Top Senior (50+) $50 |
| Blitz Championship | $300, $150, $100, $50; Top U1900 $50; Top U1600 $50; Top U1300/Unrated $50; Top Female $50; Top Senior (50+) $50 |
CCC also awards a plaque and the club champion title to first place in each event.
👥 Sections / Groups
The combined page includes two separate tournaments rather than multiple rating sections inside one tournament. First, players can enter the rapid championship. Then, they can also enter the blitz championship later the same day. Each event uses one open section with class prizes.
| Section | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Club Rapid Championship | 5-round rapid event | One open section with class prizes |
| Club Blitz Championship | Same-day blitz event | One open section with class prizes |
| Rapid Club Champion | First place in rapid | Separate title and plaque |
| Blitz Club Champion | First place in blitz | Separate title and plaque |
This structure makes the event easy to follow. Players may choose one championship or play both on Memorial Day.
🗓️ Schedule
The official schedule works best as one day split into rapid, break, and blitz blocks. Therefore, the timetable below combines both event pages into one clear program.
| Date | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|
| May 25, 2026 | 10:15 AM | Rapid registration closes |
| May 25, 2026 | 10:30 AM | Rapid Round 1 |
| May 25, 2026 | 11:15 AM | Rapid Round 2 |
| May 25, 2026 | 12:00 PM | Rapid Round 3 |
| May 25, 2026 | 12:45 PM | Rapid Round 4 |
| May 25, 2026 | 1:30 PM | Rapid Round 5 |
| May 25, 2026 | 2:00–3:00 PM | Short break between events |
| May 25, 2026 | 2:45 PM | Blitz registration closes |
| May 25, 2026 | 3:00 PM | Blitz begins |
| May 25, 2026 | ASAP | Remaining blitz rounds |
| May 25, 2026 | Around 6:00 PM | Expected finish |
📝 Registration
The official registration details are below. Players may register for the rapid event, the blitz event, or both. In each case, CCC uses separate event pages and separate registration links.
Player Entry
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| US Chess membership | Required |
| Rapid capacity | First 62 entries |
| Blitz capacity | First 62 entries |
| Players rated 2200+ | Free entry, with $35 deduction from prize per event; no deduction for GMs, IMs, or USCF 2400+ |
| CCC member entry fee | $35 per event |
| Non-member entry fee | $40 per event |
| Rapid registration link | https://app.charlottechesscenter.org/events/club-rapid/instances/37/register |
| Blitz registration link | https://app.charlottechesscenter.org/events/club-blitz/instances/38/register |
| Rapid event page | https://app.charlottechesscenter.org/events/club-rapid/instances/37 |
| Blitz event page | https://app.charlottechesscenter.org/events/club-blitz/instances/38 |
Player Policies
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Terms and conditions | CCC terms apply |
| Refund deadline | Withdrawals by May 24 are refunded minus a $10 transaction fee |
| Late refund policy | 50% refund after May 24 until 1 hour before round 1 |
| Equipment | Boards, sets, and clocks provided; players must use CCC equipment |
| Rating basis | Live US Chess ratings used for pairings and prizes |
🏢 Organizer
The Charlotte Chess Center organizes both championships and runs them as a Memorial Day double event at its Main/South branch. In addition, CCC handles registration, withdrawals, player communication, and tournament operations through its official website and event platform.
Phone: +1 980-265-1156
Email: events@charlottechesscenter.org
Website: https://www.charlottechesscenter.org/events
📍 Venue
Charlotte Chess Center Main/South, 10700 Kettering Drive, Unit E, Charlotte, NC 28226, United States
The playing site sits in South Charlotte at CCC’s Main/South branch. It is a dedicated chess venue, and it hosts regular tournaments, classes, and casual play throughout the year. As a result, players get a familiar club environment rather than a temporary hotel hall setup.
🚆 How to Get There
The Main/South location sits just off I-485 and Pineville-Matthews Road, so it is easiest to reach by car. In addition, CCC identifies this branch as the South Charlotte location that serves nearby areas such as Ballantyne, Pineville, SouthPark, Matthews, Mint Hill, Waxhaw, Weddington, Steele Creek, Fort Mill, and Tega Cay.
This Memorial Day event is a strong choice for players who want fast chess, separate rapid and blitz title chances, and a full day of rated action in Charlotte.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $1,500
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.
