2026 NC K-12 Championship

Event Website: https://www.charlottechesscenter.org/events/nck12

Online Registration: https://events.charlottechesscenter.org/nck12/register

OVERVIEW

The 2026 NC K-12 Championship is the official scholastic state championship of North Carolina, and is the state qualifier for the US Chess National Invitationals.  It will award over 150 trophies. 

There is a registration cap of 500 players - registration will close once capacity is reached.

WHEN

February 27 - March 1, 2026

Blitz tournament and suggested arrival: Friday, February 27

K-1 and Bughouse: Saturday, February 28

K-12, K-8, K-5, K-3 Sections: Saturday, February 28 – Sunday, March 1​

WHERE

Hilton Charlotte University Place

8629 JM Keynes Drive

Charlotte, NC 28262

Free Internet, Free Parking

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​HOTEL BOOKING

$129/Night - Free Internet, Parking

Booking Link Coming Soon

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

• Only scholastic players (K-12) who live in or attend school in North Carolina are permitted to play.
• No unrated players in K-3 or higher sections.
  • Except for the K-1 section, all players must have a US Chess Over-the-Board Regular Rating based on at least 4 rated games. No exceptions.
  • Quick, blitz, and online ratings are not accepted. Players must have OTB regular USCF ratings from at least 4 rated games.
  • Unrated players in K-3 or above may register early, but must complete the 4 game requirement before the tournament, or they will be removed without a refund.
• US Chess membership is required for all players.  Membership renewal is not handled by the organizers and must be done before the tournament.
• Registration is online only – coming soon.  No mailed or on-site entries.
• Registration cap – there will be a cap of 500 players in the main event.
  • Registration will close when we are full.
  • If we are not full, registration will close at 6:30pm on Friday, February 27
• Side event registration:
  • Blitz – online or on-site by 6:30pm Friday.
  • Bughouse – on-site only by 6:30pm Saturday.
• We have a strict no parent/spectator policy during play. See the full policy below. Parents of will not be able to see their children while they are playing until they are finished with their game. By registering for the event, you acknowledge this.

SECTIONS AND TIME CONTROLS

All sections are 2 days (Sat/Sun) except for K-1 (Saturday only)

1. K-12 Championship: 5 rounds. Rounds 1-3: G/60, inc/5. Rounds 4-5: G/75, inc/5.
2. K-12 Under 1500: 5 rounds. Rounds 1-3: G/60, inc/5. Rounds 4-5: G/75, inc/5.
3. K-8 Championship: 5 rounds. Rounds 1-3: G/60, inc/5. Rounds 4-5: G/75, inc/5.
4. K-8 Under 1200: 5 rounds. Rounds 1-3: G/60, inc/5. Rounds 4-5: G/75, inc/5.
5. K-5 Championship: 6 rounds. G/45, inc/5.
6. K-5 Under 900: 6 rounds, G/45, inc/5.
7. K-3 Championship: 6 rounds, G/45, inc/5.
8. K-3 Under 600: 6 rounds, G/45, inc/5.
9. K-1: Saturday only, 6 rounds. G/25, inc/5.

Blitz: Friday night. K-12 and K-5 Sections – 4 double rounds (8 games). G/5, inc/0.

Bughouse: Saturday night. K-12 and K-5 Sections - 5 double rounds (10 games). G/3, inc/0.

SCHEDULE

• K-12 Champ, K-12 U1500, K-8 Champ, K-8 U1200
  • Saturday Round Start Times: 10:00am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm
  • Sunday Round Start Times: 9:30am, 1:00pm
  • Awards Ceremony: Sunday 4:00pm
• K-5 Champ, K-5 U900, K-3 Champ, K-3 U600
  • Saturday Round Start Times: 9:30am, 12:00pm, 2:30pm
  • Sunday Round Start Times: 9:00am, 11:30am, 2:00pm
  • Awards Ceremony: Sunday 4:00pm
• K-1 (Saturday only)
  • Saturday Round Start Times: 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm
  • K-1 Awards Ceremony: Saturday 5:00pm
• Blitz: Friday 7:00-8:30pm, blitz awards 8:45pm.
• Bughouse: Saturday 7:00-8:30pm, bughouse awards 8:45pm.

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AWARDS

K-12 Championship

Trophies to top 10 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

1st Place qualifies to Denker High School National Invitational (see regulations below)

K-12 Under 1500

Trophies to top 10 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

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K-8 Championship

Trophies to top 10 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

1st Place qualifies to Barber Middle School National Invitational (see regulations below)

K-8 Under 1200

Trophies to top 10 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

K-5 Championship

Trophies to top 15 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

1st Place qualifies to Rockefeller K-5 National Invitational (see regulations below)

K-5 Under 900

Trophies to top 15 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

K-3 Championship

Trophies to top 10 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

1st Place qualifies to Ashley K-3 National Invitational (see regulations below)

K-3 Under 600

Trophies to top 10 players

Trophies to top 3 teams

K-1

Trophies to top 10 players

Medals to all players

Trophies to top 3 teams

Blitz

Trophies to top 5 players in each section (K-12, K-5)

Trophies to top 2 teams in each section

Bughouse

Trophies to top 5 teams (2 trophies per team) in both sections (K-12, K-5)

​All trophies must be claimed on-site. No mailed awards.

ENTRY FEES

NC K-12 Main Event

• $70 online by January 10
• $89 online by February 20
• $110 online after February 20
• $30 K-1 to K-3 re-entry: on-site only by Saturday 7:30pm.

Side Events

• Blitz: $30 online by February 20, $40 online after February 20, $50 on-site. All blitz registration closes Friday 6:30pm.
• Bughouse: $40 per team, on-site registration only.  Bughouse registration closes Saturday 6:30pm.

VOLUNTEERS

The CCC is looking for volunteers to help with scorekeeping and setup - no experience necessary! Please contact Click here to show mail address if you can assist.

CONTACT

Click here to show mail address

Event Website: https://www.charlottechesscenter.org/events/nck12

Online Registration: https://events.charlottechesscenter.org/nck12/register