2023 US Masters

The 2023 US Masters will be held over Thanksgiving Weekend from November 22-26, 2023. The USM is an official US Chess National Championship which features a $22,000 guaranteed prize fund. Enjoy your stay at the lakeside Hilton Charlotte University Place. Take a walk on the lake, shop, dine and more.

​The US Masters is preceded by the CCC Fall GM/IM Norm Invitational November 17-21. The Masters runs alongside the 2023 NC Open, an open event for players of all ratings and $13,000 in prizes. 

New this year:

• Increased prize fund in US Masters and Blitz event

• Free entry to all IMs and WGMs, including USA players

• Higher rating requirements for untitled junior players

HOTEL BOOKING

$109/Night - Free Internet, Parking

Booking Link - Reserve by November 11

If booking by phone, use group code: 916

​REGISTRATION

• Players are strongly recommended to register online (registration form below)

• Online registration until November 22, 3:00pm

• On-Site Registration: November 22, 2:30-3:00pm

• All registrations after Wednesday November 22, 3:00pm will result in round 1 bye.

​ELIGIBILITY

• Players rated or once rated at least 2200 USCF or FIDE based on an established rating of at least 26 games.

• Players with the NM, FM, and WFM titles, regardless of rating.

• NEW – untitled juniors (under 20) must be rated 2000+ FIDE or 2100+ USCF at the time of registration (or thereafter, but no peak ratings) to play – additional fee applies.

• No exceptions to eligibility rules.  Players who do not qualify for the US Masters may enter the NC Open.

​$22,000 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND - 150 US Chess Grand Prix Points

$6000* - $3000 - $2000 - $1500 - $1000 - $800 - $600 - $500

Top U2550 FIDE: $1200 - $600

Top U2450 FIDE: $1000 - $500

Top U2350 FIDE: $800 - $400

Top U2250 FIDE: $600 - $300

Top U2150 FIDE: $600 - $300

​* $300 bonus prize, trophy, and title for clear first or playoff winner

Conditions for titled players – see below

​​NORMS

GM, IM, WGM, WIM norms available

Norm “Super Swiss” – normal federation requirement waived

FIDE now requires at least one Swiss norm to obtain GM/IM/WGM/WIM titles

​SIDE EVENTS

​FREE $2,000 Blitz

Saturday 9:00-11:00pm

6 Rounds, 2 sections – Championship and Under 2000

Blitz registration on-site only until 8:45pm

Both sections US Chess and FIDE blitz-rated

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

 

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

​

Sunday, November 26

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

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

• Commentary: 5:30-7:00pm

​

​

US MASTERS SCHEDULE

Registration and bye request window closes 3:00pm Wednesday

​Wednesday: 5:00pm

Thursday: 11:00am & 5:00pm

Friday: 11:00am & 5:00pm

Saturday: 11:00am & 5:00pm

Sunday: 11:00am & 5:00pm

​

​TIME CONTROL

G/90; +30

90 minutes plus a 30 second increment from move 1

​

ENTRY FEES

• All GMs, IMs, WGMs: Free Entry with no deduction if registered by October 20.  $200 deducted from prize if registered after October 20.

• Titled Player Entry (FM, WIM, WFM, NM): $299 by November 1, $319 by November 15, $349 after November 15.

• Untitled Juniors (U20) with Peak Ratings Under 2200: Must be rated 2000+ FIDE or 2100+ USCF at the time of registration: $200 more than Regular entry.

• Entry fees based on the title/status at the time of registration. 

​

​CONDITIONS

• Free entry is offered to all GMs, IMs, and WGMs, regardless of federation or rating.

• GMs, Foreign IMs, and Foreign WGMs are eligible for shared hotel or equivalent conditions.

• GMs rated 2550+ FIDE are eligible for additional stipends, inquire early.

• Conditions are subject to availability and other factors.  The organizers reserve the right to apportion conditions at their discretion or refuse conditions to players for any reason.

• Conditions must be arranged in advance through Dr. Walter High as early as possible.

• Conditioned players who withdraw after November 15 may not be eligible for conditions in future CCC events.

• Conditioned players may not take byes or withdraw without the expressed permission of the organizers.

​Registration and Entry Lists Here

​RULES AND NOTES

• Registration and bye request window closes November 22 at 3:00pm

• Withdrawals/Refunds:

  • Before the event, withdrawals for paid entries will incur a $25 transaction fee until November 20.  50% refunds after November 21 until 2 hours before round 1.

  • Conditioned players who withdraw (cancel) after November 15 may not be eligible for conditions in future CCC events.

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

• Byes: Up to 4 optional half-point byes which must be requested by 3:00pm on November 22.

  • Norms not possible if taking a bye.

  • Byes not available to conditioned players without expressed permission of the organizers.

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

  • Any zero-point byes or withdrawals during the event must be submitted at least 90 minutes before the round in question.

  • Players who forfeit a round (no show) or do not provide 90-minute notice to withdrawing will incur a $200 fine.

• In case of a tie for first place, the top two players on "average rating of opposition, cut one" tiebreak will play a blitz playoff of two G/5; +2 games, followed by an Armageddon game as specified by the Chief Arbiter.  The playoff winner will win the $300 bonus prize, US Masters trophy, and title.

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

• US Chess and FIDE-rated.  US Chess membership is required.

• November FIDE ratings used for pairings and prizes.

• 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.

​CCC FAIR PLAY MEASURES

• No spectators are allowed in the playing area.

• 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.

• Games will be submitted for thorough review by Dr. Ken Regan's FIDE-approved algorithm prior to submitting the event for rating and norms.

 

​ORGANIZER CONTACTS

Refunds and Changes - CCC Events Team - Click here to show mail address

Conditions - Dr. Walter High - Click here to show mail address