Event Overview
Event Website: https://www.charlottechesscenter.org/events/charlotteopen
Online Registration: https://events.charlottechesscenter.org/charlotteopen/Register
OVERVIEW
The 2026 Charlotte Open is a 6-round US Chess-rated tournament which features a $15,000 guaranteed prize fund in 7 sections. The event is held over Martin Luther King Weekend, January 17-19, 2026.
Alongside the main event is the $1,000 blitz and single-day K-8 Scholastic tournaments. Throughout the weekend, players may engage with free game analysis, commentary, and blitz challenges with VIP Grandmaster Kayden Troff!
Enjoy your stay at the UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center on UNC Charlotte's beautiful university campus. Plenty of restaurants and shops in walking distance.
WHEN
January 17-19, 2026
MLK Weekend
WHERE
UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
9041 Robert D Snyder Road
Charlotte, NC 28262
$132 per night - 2 Queen or 1 King
PARKING
$6 Self-Parking
Each exit requires $6 payment
REGISTRATION
- Online registration is strongly recommended.
- Main event registration closes 75 minutes before round 1 start time
- On-site check-in is not necessary for players who register online
- On-site Registration
- Saturday 9:00-9:15am (3-day Schedule)
- Sunday 8:30-8:45am (2-day Schedule and Re-entry)
- Scholastic Registration: Saturday 9:00-10:00am
- Blitz Registration: On-site only, Sunday 4:30-8:30pm.
TIME CONTROLS
Championship Section: G/110, inc/10
Under Sections, 3-Day Schedule: G/100, inc/10
Under Sections, 2-Day Schedule: Rounds 1-3: G/20, inc/10, Rounds 4-6 (merge with 3-day): G/100, inc/10
SECTIONS AND PRIZES
$15,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund in 7 Sections
Championship – FIDE-Rated - 80 Grand Prix Points
$1600 - $800 - $600 - $400
Top U2300: $600 - $300
Championship Section plays 3-day schedule only
Under 2100 – FIDE-Rated
$1200 - $600 - $300 - $200
Under 1900 - FIDE-Rated
$1000 - $500 - $300 - $200
Under 1700 - FIDE-Rated
$800 – $400 – $300 - $200
Under 1500
$800 – $400 – $300 - $200
Under 1300
$700 – $400 – $250 - $150
Under 1100
$700 – $400 – $250 - $150
100-point Rule applies for "playing up" a section - see Special Notes below.
Plaques to first place in all sections, using Cumulative tiebreak if necessary.
SCHEDULE
3-Day Schedule - 6 Rounds
Saturday: 10:30am & 4:00pm
Sunday: 10:30am & 4:00pm
Monday: 10:00am & 3:00pm
2-Day Schedule - 6 Rounds
Sunday: 10:00am*, 11:45am*, 1:30pm*, 4:00pm (merge with 3-day schedule in round 4)
Monday: 10:00am & 3:00pm
* Rounds 1-3 of 2-day Schedule played at G/20; inc/10 time control.
No 2-day schedule in Championship Section
SIDE EVENTS
GM Kayden Troff VIP Engagement Events
- Saturday, January 17
- Scholastic Awards Ceremony: 4:30-4:45pm
- Player Game Analysis: 5:00-7:00pm
- “Play the Grandmaster” Blitz: 8:00-9:30pm
- Sunday, January 18
- Event Commentary: 11:00am-12:30pm
- Player Game Analysis: 1:30-3:30pm
- Event Commentary: 4:30-6:00pm
- “Play the Grandmaster” Blitz: 7:00-8:30pm
- Monday, January 19
- Event Commentary: 10:30am-12:00pm
- Player Game Analysis: 1:00-3:00pm
- Saturday, January 17
11:00am - 4:30pm
- Sunday, January 18
- Starts at 8:45pm
ENTRY FEE
$149 by January 6
$165 by January 13
$180 after January 13
GMs, IMs, WGMs: Free online entry, no deduction from prize if registered by December 20, otherwise $140 deducted from prize.
Re-entry: $80. See information under Special Notes below.
CONTACT
Conditions are possible for GMs, confirm by December 10
Event Website: https://www.charlottechesscenter.org/events/charlotteopen
Online Registration: https://events.charlottechesscenter.org/charlotteopen/Register
9041 Robert D Snyder Road
Charlotte, NC 28262
United States