Spring Southeastern FIDE
Hilton Garden Inn - Southpark
OVERVIEW
The Spring Southeastern FIDE takes place over Easter Weekend, March 26-28, 2027 in SouthPark Charlotte. There are two FIDE and US Chess rated sections with a minimum rating of 1400 to participate. There is a $5,000 guaranteed prize fund - $4,500 in the main event plus a free $500 Saturday evening blitz tournament.
There is a registration cap of 110 players. The Fall SE FIDE runs alongside the Spring GM/IM Norm Invitational.
Previous Southeastern FIDE Champions: 2014 GM Ben Finegold, 2015 IM Kassa Korley, 2016 GM Alonso Zapata, 2017 GM Elshan Moradiabadi, 2018 Alex King, 2025 GM Sergey Erenburg, Spring 2026 FM James Chirilov.
WHEN
March 26-28, 2027
Easter Weekend
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
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 Charlotte SouthPark
$141/Night - King; $156/Night - Two Queens
Booking Link Coming Soon
Homewood Suites Charlotte SouthPark
$159/Night - King Suite with pullout sofa and Free Breakfast
Booking Link Coming Soon
ELIGIBILITY
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Must be members of US Chess.
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There is a strict rating minimum of 1400 to enter, based on March US Chess ratings or a peak rating achieved between February 1 - March 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 start time or when capacity is reached.
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On-site check-in is not necessary.
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Registration Cap: 110 players. The organizers reserve the right to accept entries past 110 players depending on specific space constraints.
SCHEDULE
3-Day Schedule Only - 5 Rounds
Friday: 6:00pm
Saturday: 10:30am & 4:30pm
Blitz: Saturday 9:00pm
Sunday: 10:30am & 4:00pm**
TIME CONTROL
G/90, inc/30
PRIZES & SECTIONS
$4,500 Guaranteed Prize Fund in 2 Sections.
Championship Section - FIDE Rated
50 US Chess Grand Prix Points
$1400 - $700 - $400
Top U2200: $300
Under 2050 Section - FIDE Rated
$800 - $400 - $200
Top U1750: $300
Minimum rating of 1400.
100-point rule applies for "playing up" see Special Notes below.
Plaques to first place in all sections.
SPRING FIDE BLITZ
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Saturday March 27, 9:30pm
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Blitz Registration On-site only, Saturday 4:30-9:15wpm
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No online or emailed blitz registration.
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Free blitz entry for players in the Southeastern FIDE or Norm Invitational.
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Open to all players - $30 on-site blitz entry for those not in either event.
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Cash only for on-site blitz entry.
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6 (single) Rounds – US Chess 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 U1750: $60.
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ENTRY FEE
$149 by March 10
$169 after March 10
GM/IM/WGMs: Free online entry, no deduction from prize if registered by February 26, otherwise $145 deducted from prize.
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 hallways or restrooms.
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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 March US Chess supplement ratings, we will also honor peak ratings since February 1.
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Ratings:
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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.
- US Chess pairing rules are used.
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Minimum rating:There is a USCF rating minimum of 1400 to enter (peak ratings since February 1 are honored).
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Ratings Used for Pairings and Prizes:
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For most players, March 2026 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 February 1, but who have since fallen below the 100-point cutoff, they are still eligible for the higher section, but the highest of their September supplement and most recent live rating will be used for pairings and prizes (not necessarily the peak rating).
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For players with an March supplement rating under 1400, their live rating will be used.
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Registration Cap: 110 players. The organizers reserve the right to accept entries past 110 players depending on specific space constraints.
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Changes to registration / mid-event withdrawals:
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All changes to registration including schedule changes, byes, and withdrawals must be submitted at least 75 minutes before the relevant round.
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Players who forfeit (no-show) without notice will be fined $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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Withdrawals/Refunds:
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Withdrawals by March 19 will be refunded minus a $15 transaction fee.
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Withdrawals between March 20-22 will be refunded minus a $30 transaction fee.
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50% refunds after March 22 until 90 minutes before round 1.
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Equipment: Boards, sets, clocks provided (must use our equipment). Players must use the provided carbon-copy scoresheets and hand in a copy to an arbiter after each game. Personal scorebooks/scoresheets are not permitted.
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Plaque to first place in each section, based on US Chess cumulative tiebreak and "average opposition rating, drop one" tiebreak if necessary.
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By registering for or attending this event and side events, players and guests grant permission to CCC to take and use photographs and video for purposes related to the event.