2025 NC Open

Grand Prix
Hilton Charlotte University Place
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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

HOTEL BOOKING

$132/Night - King and 2 Queen Options

Booking link - Book ASAP

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

FREE $2,000 Blitz

​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

Address:

8629 JM Keynes Drive
Charlotte, NC 28262
United States

Sections: 7
Grand Prix Points: 50
Prize Fund: $12,500
FIDE Rated: Yes
Handicap Accessible: No
Residency Restriction: No
Online Event: No

Organizer Overview

Charlotte Chess Center
Phone: