2027 Charlotte February Open
Hilton Garden Inn - Southpark
OVERVIEW
The Charlotte February Open takes place February 26-28, 2027 in SouthPark Charlotte. It is a 5 round classical event with a $6000 guaranteed prize fund - $5,500 in the main event plus a free $500 Saturday evening blitz tournament.
All sections are US Chess and FIDE rated. There is a minimum rating of 1000 and registration cap of 140 players.
Previous Charlotte February Open Champions: 2026 GM Francesco Sonis.
WHEN
February 26-28 or 27-28, 2027
3-day and 2-day schedules available
WHERE
Beautiful Venue in the Heart of Southpark! Walk to Starbucks, Whole Foods and more!
Hilton Garden Inn - Southpark
4808 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210
(704) 362-5080
EVENT ORGANIZER
Charlotte Chess Center
HOTEL BOOKING
Both hotel options attached to the playing venue.
Email us if the booking links are not showing the correct rate.
Free internet, free parking
Hilton Garden Inn - Southpark
$141 per night single or $156 for 2 Queens
Booking Link Coming Soon - Reserve by February 11
Homewood Suites - Southpark
$159 for King suite with sofa bed and free breakfast
Booking Link Coming Soon - Reserve by February 11
ELIGIBILITY
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Must be members of US Chess.
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There is a USCF rating minimum of 1200 to enter, based on FebruaryUS Chess ratings or a peak rating achieved between January 1 - February 26.
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See events schedule for other options this weekend.
REGISTRATION
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Online registration only - no on-site registration.
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All registration closes 90 minutes before round 1 or when capacity is reached.
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On-site check-in is not necessary.
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Registration Cap: 140 players. The organizers reserve the right to accept entries past 140 players depending on specific space constraints.
SCHEDULE
3-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds
Friday: 6:30pm
Saturday: 10:45am & 4:00pm
Blitz: Saturday 8:30pm
Sunday: 10:00am & 3:00pm
2-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds
Saturday: 10:45am*, 1:00pm*, 4:00pm
Blitz: Saturday 8:30pm
Sunday: 10:00am & 3:00pm
*Rounds 1-2 of 2-Day Schedule played at G/25; inc/10 time control, then merge with 3-day schedule, Saturday 4:00pm
TIME CONTROLS
Champ Section, 3-Day Schedule: G/110, inc/10
Under Sections, 3-Day Schedule: G/100, inc/10
Rounds 1-2 of 2-day Schedule: G/25, inc/10
PRIZES & SECTIONS
$5,500 Guaranteed Prize Fund in 3 Sections.
Championship Section - FIDE Rated
40 US Chess Grand Prix Points
$1200 - $600 - $300
Top U2200: $400
Under 2050 Section - FIDE Rated
$700 - $400 - $200
Top U1850: $300
Under 1700 Section - FIDE Rated
$600 - $300 - $200
Top U1400: $300
Minimum rating of 1000.
100-point rule applies for "playing up" - see Special Notes below.
Plaques to first place in all sections.
ENTRY FEE
$139 by February 10
$159 after February 10
GM/IM/WGMs: Free, no deduction from prize if registered by February 1, otherwise $130 deducted from prize.
Re-entry: $60. See information under "Special Notes" below.
FEBRUARY OPEN BLITZ
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Saturday February 27, 8:30pm
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Blitz Registration On-site only, Saturday 4:00-8:15pm
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No online or emailed blitz registration.
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Free blitz entry for players in the main event.
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Open to all players - $30 on-site blitz entry for those not in the main event.
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Cash only for on-site blitz entry.
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6 (single) Rounds – USCF regular ratings used for pairings/prizes.
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US Chess and FIDE blitz rated. US Chess membership required.
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$500 guaranteed prize fund in one section:
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$200 - $100 - $60. Top U2050: $80, Top U1700: $60
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CONTACT
events@charlottechesscenter.org
Special Notes
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Please read CCC's Terms and Conditions and Fair Play Policy.
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No spectators. Parents and spectators are not permitted in the playing area or in the nearby hallway.
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100-Point Rule: Must be within 100 points of next section to play up (e.g. 1950+ to enter Championship). In addition to the February 2027 US Chess Regular Supplement Ratings, we will also honor peak ratings since January 1.
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Players who register for a section they are not eligible for will be moved to the appropriate section.
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Ratings:
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Minimum rating: There is a USCF rating minimum of 1000 to enter (peak ratings since January 1 are honored).
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All sections are US Chess rated. US Chess membership is required.
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All sections are also FIDE-rated and use FIDE rules, except for 2-day schedule, rounds 1-2.
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Ratings Used for Pairings and Prizes:
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For most players, February 2027 US Chess supplement ratings are used.
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For players who are “playing up” based on their most recent live (tournament history) rating and using the 100-point rule, this live rating will be used if they would otherwise not qualify for the higher section.
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For players who are “playing up” based on a peak rating since January 1, but who have since fallen below the 100-point cutoff, they are still eligible for the higher section, but the highest of their February supplement and most recent live rating will be used (not necessarily the peak rating).
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For foreign FIDE-rated players with no US Chess rating (or insufficient recent US Chess rating history), the following formulas may be used to assign a US Chess rating:
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FIDE Ratings 2000+: 1.02 * FIDE + 20.
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FIDE Ratings U2000: usually assigned at par, unless a different foreign rating system (e.g. CFC) is available and used for rating assignment, with possible adjustment by the Chief TD.
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In exceptional cases, the Chief TD may assign a different rating than specified above to a player for any reason. Assigned ratings will never be lower than the current US Chess supplement used for the event.
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Registration Cap: Registration closes at 140 players. The organizers reserve the right to accept entries past 140 players depending on specific space constraints.
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Re-Entry:
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If players have an undesirable start to the event, they may wish to re-enter the event.
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Players may re-enter for a $60 fee
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Re-entry closes Saturday 9:15am
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Withdrawals / Refunds:
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Online withdrawals by February 19 will be refunded less a $15 transaction fee.
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Online withdrawals between February 20-23 will be refunded less a $30 transaction fee.
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50% refunds after February 24 until 75 minutes before round 1.
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All withdrawals during the event must be submitted at least 75 minutes before the affected round.
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Failure to notify us of a pending withdrawal or zero-point bye which leads to a forfeit by “no-show” will incur a fine of $100.
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Byes: Players may take up to 2 optional half-point byes, request before round 1. All byes requested during the tournament are zero points.
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Boards, sets, clocks provided (must use our equipment).
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By registering for or attending this event, players and guests grant permission to CCC to take and use photographs and video for purposes related to the event.