Event Overview
OVERVIEW
The 2025 North Carolina Open is a 6 round tournament held over Thanksgiving Weekend featuring a $12,500 guaranteed prize fund in 7 sections. The NC Open runs alongside the 2025 US Masters, a premier US Chess national event.
Alongside, side events include the Free $2,000 Blitz and a single-day scholastic (K-8) tournament. Throughout the weekend, participants may enjoy free game analysis, lectures, and blitz challenges with VIP Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan!
Main Event
November 28-30, 2025 - Various playing schedules available
Side Events
- K-8 Scholastic (U700) - Friday
- $2,000 Blitz - Saturday
- VIP events with GM Yasser Seirawan - all weekend - details below
HOTEL BOOKING
$132/Night - King and 2 Queen Options
Click “edit stay” at the top of the booking page to select your exact dates
REGISTRATION
- Online registration is strongly recommended
- All registration closes 1 hour before round 1 start time
- On-site check-in is not necessary for players who registered online
- On-site Registration
- 3-Day Schedule: Friday 9:00am-9:30am
- 2-Day and Re-Entry: Saturday 8:30am-9:00am
- Blitz Registration: Saturday 4:00pm-9:00pm
- Registration at Midway Room (ballroom level)
TIME CONTROLS
3-Day Schedule: All 6 rounds: G/100, inc/10
2-Day Schedule: Rounds 1-3: G/20, inc/10, Rounds 4-6 (merge with 3-day): G/100, inc/10
Championship - FIDE Rated - 50 Grand Prix Points
$1200 + plaque – 600 – 400 – 300
Under 2000 - FIDE Rated
$1000 + plaque – 500 – 300 – 200
Under 1800 - FIDE Rated
$800 + plaque – 400 – 300 – 200
Under 1600
$800 + plaque – 400 – 300 – 200
Under 1400
$700 + plaque – 400 – 300 – 200
Under 1200
$600 + plaque – 400 – 300 – 200
Under 1000
$600 + plaque – 400 – 300 – 200
100-point rule applies for "playing up" a section - see Special Notes at bottom of page.
SCHEDULE
3-Day Schedule - 6 Rounds
Friday: 11:00am & 4:00pm
Saturday: 11:00am & 4:00pm
Sunday: 10:30am & 3:00pm
2-Day Schedule - 6 Rounds
Saturday: 10:30am*, 12:00pm*, 1:30pm*, then merge with 3-day schedule Saturday at 4:00pm
Sunday: 10:30am & 3:00pm
* Rounds 1-3 of 2-Day Schedule played at G/20; inc/10 time control, then merge with 3-day schedule, Saturday 4:00pm
SIDE EVENTS
GM Yasser Seirawan VIP Engagement Events
- Friday, November 28
- Event Commentary / Player Game Analysis: 12:30-2:00pm
- “Play the Grandmaster” Blitz: 2:30-4:00pm
- Scholastic Event Awards Ceremony: 4:00-4:15pm
- Event Commentary / Player Game Analysis: 6:00-8:00pm
- Saturday, November 29
- Event Commentary / Player Game Analysis: 12:30-2:00pm
- Photo / Autograph Session: 3:00-4:00pm
- Event Commentary / Player Game Analysis: 5:30-7:00pm
- “Play the Grandmaster” Blitz 7:45-9:15pm
- Sunday, November 30
- Open Lecture / Q&A: 9:45-10:30am
- Event Commentary / Player Game Analysis: 11:30am-1:00pm
- “Play the Grandmaster” Blitz: 2:00-3:00pm
- Event Commentary / Player Game Analysis: 5:30-7:30pm
K-8 Under 700 Scholastic
- Friday, November 29
- 10:15am - 4:00pm
- See details here
FREE $2,000 Blitz
- Saturday, November 30
- Starts at 9:30pm
- See details here
MAIN EVENT ENTRY FEE
$140 by November 10
$155 by November 24
$170 after November 24
US Masters players who have an unsuccessful start may join the NCO for a discounted entry fee of $100 - on-site registration required for discounted entry. GMs, IMs, WGMs Free Entry, no deduction from prize if registered by November 5, otherwise $140 deducted from prize.
CONTACT
- For questions/concerns prior to the event: Click here to show mail address
Titled player conditions: Click here to show mail address
8629 JM Keynes Drive
Charlotte, NC 28262
United States