2023 North Carolina Open

The 2023 NC Open will be held over Thanksgiving Weekend. The NCO features an increased $13,000 guaranteed prize fund in 10 US Chess rated sections (top 3 FIDE-rated). The event runs alongside the 2023 US Masters, a premier national event. 

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Alongside the main events are side events which include the free $2000 blitz, and a single day scholastic (K-8) tournament. In addition, participants may enjoy free game analysis, lectures, and blitz challenges with GM Ben Finegold!

 

Enjoy your stay at the lakeside Hilton Charlotte University Place. Take a walk on the lake, shop, dine and more.

 

HOTEL BOOKING

$109/Night - Free Internet, Parking

Booking Link - Reserve by November 11

If booking by phone, use group code: 916

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​REGISTRATION

• Online registration strongly recommended

• All Registration closes 1 hour before round 1 start time - Use link below

• On-Site Registration

  • 3-Day Schedule Registration: Friday 9:00-9:30am

  • 2-Day, Re-Entry, Scholastic Registration: Saturday 9:00-9:30am

  • Blitz Registration: Saturday 4:00-8:45pm

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​$13,000 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND - 40 US Chess Grand Prix Points

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Championship (FIDE Rated)

$1000 + plaque – 500 – 300 – 200

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Under 2000 (FIDE Rated)

$800 + plaque – 400 – 300 – 200

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Under 1800 (FIDE Rated)

$800 + plaque – 400 – 300 – 200

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Under 1600

$800 + plaque – 400 – 300 – 200

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Under 1400

$600 + plaque – 400 – 300 – 200

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Under 1200

$600 + plaque – 400 – 300 – 200

 

Under 1000

$600 + plaque – 400 – 300 – 200

 

​Under 800

$600 + plaque – 400 – 250 – 150

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​SIDE EVENTS

Special Guest GM Ben Finegold

Friday, November 24

• Q&A or Commentary: 1:00-2:00pm

• "Play the Master" Blitz: 3:00-4:00pm

• Player Game Analysis and Commentary: 6:30-8:30pm

Saturday, November 25

• Open Lecture: 9:30-10:30am

• Player Game Analysis: 12:30-2:30pm

• Commentary: 4:30-5:30pm

• "Play the Master" Blitz: 6:30-8:00pm

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Sunday, November 26

• Player Game Analysis: 11:30am-1:00pm

• "Play the Master" Blitz: 2:00-3:30pm

• Commentary: 5:30-7:00pm

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K-8 Under 600 Scholastic (Saturday)

Trophies to top 10​

Schedule and entry fees below

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​FREE $2,000 Blitz

Saturday 9:00-11:00pm

6 Rounds, 2 sections – Championship and Under 2000

On-site registration by 8:45pm required for blitz – no online blitz entry

Blitz round 1 starts 9:00pm, ends around 11pm

Both sections US Chess and FIDE blitz-rated

Free Blitz Entry to players in the U.S. Masters, NC Open, and Scholastic, $40 for others

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SCHEDULE

3-Day Schedule - 6 Rounds

Friday: 10:30am & 4:00pm

Saturday: 10:30am & 4:00pm

Sunday: 10:00am & 3:00pm

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2-Day Schedule - 6 Rounds

Saturday: 10:30am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, then merge with 3-day schedule Saturday at 4:00pm for round 4

Sunday: 10:00am & 3:00pm

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K-8 Scholastic Schedule - 5 Rounds

Saturday: 10:45am, 11:45am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm, Awards at 4:30pm

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​TIME CONTROL

3-Day Schedule: G/100, inc/10

2-Day Schedule Rounds 1-3 at G/25, inc/5, then merge with 3-Day

K-8 Sections: G/25, inc/5

 

ENTRY FEES

Main Event

$135 by November 15

$150 by November 21

$165 after November 21

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K-8 Scholastic (1-day)

$40 by November 21

$50 after November 21

​Registration Link and Entry Lists Here

​​NOTES AND RULES​

• Parents and spectators are not permitted in the playing area and nearby hallways.

• Byes: Up to 3 optional half-point byes which must be requested at least 1 hour before round one begins.​​

  • All byes requested after the the start of round one are zero-point byes.

  • Any zero-point byes or withdrawals during the event must be submitted at least 1 hour before the round.

  • Players who forfeit a round (no show) or do not provide 1-hour notice to withdrawing will incur a $100 fine.

• 100 Point Rule: Must be within 100 points of next section to play up (i.e. 1900+ to enter Championship).  Players may use any of the following to qualify for the 100 point rule:

  • Current rating at the time of registration

  • November 2023 US Chess supplement rating

  • Live rating achieved thereafter

• Withdrawals/Refunds:

  • Main Event: $10 transaction fee until November 22.

  • Scholastic $5 transaction fee until November 22.

  • 50% refunds after November 22 until 1 hour before round 1

  • All withdrawals during the event must be submitted at least 1 hour before the round.

• Re-Entry: 

  • If players have an undesirable start to the event, they may wish to re-enter the event.

  • Players may re-enter for a $60 fee

• Unrated Players:

  • must enter Under 1200, Under 1000, Under 800 sections or Scholastic U600 if K-8.

  • are eligible for prizes in those sections.

  • Unrated players with foreign ratings or ratings from a different rating system are not considered unrated, and must report any foreign OTB ratings to the organizers. ​

• All sections are US Chess rated and require current US Chess Membership

• The Championship, Under 2000, and Under 1800 sections are also FIDE rated and uses FIDE rules.  2-day schedule games are not FIDE-rated.

• Per FIDE rules at this time control, games involving a player rated 2400+ FIDE are not FIDE-rated.

• Boards, sets, clocks provided (must use our equipment)

• Plaques to first place in main event sections, based on the following US Chess tiebreaks: Cumulative, Average Opposition Rating cut one.

• Trophies to top 10 in scholastic sections, based on US Chess standard tiebreaks.

• November US Chess (OTB) ratings used for pairings and prizes in all sections. 

• 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.

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CCC FAIR PLAY MEASURES

• Parents and spectators are not permitted in the playing area and nearby hallways.

• Read CCC Electronic Device Policy

• Live game broadcasts will be on a delay.

• Tournament staff will be equipped with wands and other anti-cheating equipment.

• Stronger quality and quantity of tournament directors, arbiters, and organizers than other events.