2026 North Carolina Open takes place from November 27-29, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. This is a chess tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, in 2026. The event brings players together for a major over-the-board chess tournament with six sections, two schedule options, and FIDE rating in the top four sections. Hilton Charlotte University Place hosts the competition, and the tournament offers a guaranteed USD 12,000 prize fund.
Moreover, this chess tournament in Charlotte gives players a flexible Thanksgiving weekend option in one of the most active chess cities in the United States. The 2026 North Carolina Open runs alongside the 2026 US Masters and also adds a free blitz event and a scholastic tournament to the weekend program. In addition, players can choose the schedule that best fits their plans. As a result, this chess event in Charlotte attracts masters, experts, club players, juniors, and improving competitors who want a serious classical chess tournament in North Carolina.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | November 27-29, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Charlotte, North Carolina, USA |
| ♟️ Format | 6-round Swiss tournament with 3-day and 2-day schedules |
| ⭐ Rating | All sections are US Chess rated; Championship, Under 2000, Under 1800, and Under 1600 are also FIDE rated |
| 📂 Sections | Championship, Under 2000, Under 1800, Under 1600, Under 1400, Under 1100 |
| ⏱️ Time control | 3-day: G/100 + 10-second increment; 2-day: rounds 1-3 at G/20 + 10-second increment, then merge into G/100 + 10-second increment |
| 💳 Entry fee | $149 by November 9, $165 by November 23, $180 after November 23 |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 12,000 (approx.) |
| 👥 Capacity | 300 players |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | The event runs alongside the 2026 US Masters and includes a free $2,000 blitz side event |
🏆 Prize Fund
The guaranteed cash prize fund totals $12,000.
| Section | Cash prizes |
|---|---|
| Championship | $1400, $700, $400, $300 |
| Under 2000 | $1200, $600, $300, $200 |
| Under 1800 | $1000, $500, $250, $150 |
| Under 1600 | $1000, $500, $250, $150 |
| Under 1400 | $800, $400, $250, $150 |
| Under 1100 | $700, $400, $250, $150 |
In addition, the Championship section awards 60 US Chess Grand Prix points. Plaques also go to first place in all main sections. Moreover, the 100-point rule applies to players who want to play up into a higher section.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a 6-round Swiss system with two schedule options. First, the 3-day schedule gives each player 100 minutes for the game with a 10-second increment from move one in every round. Meanwhile, the 2-day schedule uses Game in 20 minutes with a 10-second increment for rounds 1-3. After that, those players join the main schedule for rounds 4-6 at Game in 100 minutes with a 10-second increment.
All sections count for US Chess rating. In addition, the Championship, Under 2000, Under 1800, and Under 1600 sections also count for FIDE rating, except for 2-day schedule games. Players may request up to three optional half-point byes if they submit the request at least one hour before round 1. However, once round 1 begins, all later byes become zero-point byes.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Championship | Open; 1900+ required to play up | FIDE rated |
| Under 2000 | Under 2000 | FIDE rated |
| Under 1800 | Under 1800 | FIDE rated |
| Under 1600 | Under 1600 | FIDE rated |
| Under 1400 | Under 1400 | US Chess rated |
| Under 1100 | Under 1100 | US Chess rated; unrated players may enter here |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 27, 2026 | Friday | 11:00 AM | Round 1, 3-day schedule |
| November 27, 2026 | Friday | 4:00 PM | Round 2, 3-day schedule |
| November 28, 2026 | Saturday | 10:30 AM | Round 1, 2-day schedule |
| November 28, 2026 | Saturday | 11:00 AM | Round 3, 3-day schedule |
| November 28, 2026 | Saturday | 12:00 PM | Round 2, 2-day schedule |
| November 28, 2026 | Saturday | 1:30 PM | Round 3, 2-day schedule |
| November 28, 2026 | Saturday | 4:00 PM | Round 4, merged schedule |
| November 28, 2026 | Saturday | 9:00 PM | Free $2,000 Blitz |
| November 29, 2026 | Sunday | 10:30 AM | Round 5 |
| November 29, 2026 | Sunday | 3:00 PM | Round 6 |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Online registration is strongly recommended |
| Entry fee | $149 by November 9, $165 by November 23, $180 after November 23 |
| Deadline | Registration closes 90 minutes before round 1 |
| On-site registration | 3-day: Friday 8:30-9:30 AM; Scholastic: Friday 8:30-8:45 AM; 2-day and re-entry: Saturday 8:45-9:00 AM; Blitz: Saturday 4:00-8:45 PM |
| Re-entry | $60 |
| Refund policy | Withdrawals by November 21: refund less $10; November 22-25: refund less $20; after November 25 until 75 minutes before round 1: 50% refund |
| Byes | Up to 3 optional half-point byes if requested at least 1 hour before round 1 |
| Membership | US Chess membership is required |
| Special note | US Masters players with an unsuccessful start may enter the North Carolina Open on site for a discounted $100 fee |
👥 Organizer
Charlotte Chess Center organizes this major Thanksgiving weekend tournament and continues to build one of the strongest chess calendars in the United States. In addition, the organizer regularly stages classical events, norm tournaments, scholastic competitions, and large holiday festivals in Charlotte.
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Address: 8629 JM Keynes Drive, Charlotte, NC 28262, USA
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Phone: +1 980-265-1156
🏨 Venue
Hilton Charlotte University Place, 8629 JM Keynes Drive, Charlotte, NC 28262, USA
The tournament takes place at a convenient Charlotte hotel near restaurants, shops, and local services. Moreover, the property offers free internet and free parking, which helps both local and visiting players. The official tournament room rate is $139 per night.
🛎️ Accommodation
The official hotel is Hilton Charlotte University Place. The confirmed room rate is $139 per night. Therefore, players who want to stay on site should book early. In addition, players may need to adjust their stay dates in the hotel system to match their exact tournament schedule.
🚗 How to Get There
Players can reach the venue easily by car in the University Place area of Charlotte. In addition, the hotel offers free parking, which makes arrival easier for local and out-of-town participants. Travelers who arrive by air can continue into the city by taxi, rideshare, or rental car and reach the venue without difficulty.
🧾 Other
The weekend program also includes a free $2,000 blitz tournament on Saturday night and a Friday scholastic event for K-8 players rated under 800. In addition, participants may enjoy commentary sessions, player game analysis, lectures, autograph opportunities, and blitz challenges with a titled guest player.
Spectators may not enter the playing area or remain in nearby hallways and restrooms during play. The organizer provides boards, sets, and clocks, and players must use that equipment. Moreover, the arbiter starts White’s clock at the beginning of each round even when one or both players are absent.
Take on a full Thanksgiving weekend of rated chess in Charlotte and enjoy one of North Carolina’s strongest open events of 2026.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $12,000
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.
