2026 North Carolina State Championship

The Official 2026 State Championship of North Carolina is a 5 round USCF rated tournament with a guaranteed prize fund of $10,000. There is a registration cap of 200 players. We expect to sell out, so please register well in advance. (Registration closes at 200 players. Dragon Knight Chess reserves the sole right to accept entries past 200 players, depending on specific space constraints.)

Open to all players who are residents of NC, students in NC colleges or universities, or military stationed in NC

This is a live OTB event.

5 round Swiss System

4 sections: Championship Section; Under 2000 Section; Under 1600 Section; and Under 1200 Section

WHEN

Friday-Sunday, August 14-16, 2026

WHERE

Marriott Winston-Salem
425 N. Cherry Street
Winston-Salem, 27101

HOTEL BOOKING

The Winston-Salem Marriott is offering a special group rate  for 149.00 USD per night - The Last Day to Book at that early rate is Friday, July 31.

Here's the link to make hotel reservations:

Book your group rate for Dragon Knight Chess

Reservations can also be made by calling the hotel directly at (336) 725-3500 or by calling Marriott Reservations toll free at 1(800) 228-9290.

Parking: Available for $2 flat per day during the weekend

REGISTRATION

• Players are strongly recommended to register online.
• On-site check in is not necessary for online registered players;
• US Chess Federation (USCF) membership is required for all players. https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess
• Adult (age 18+)NC residents must be current dues paying NCCA members ($10 per year). https://ncchess.org/membership/
• To renew: https://ncchess.org/membership-account/membership-levels/
• To join: https://ncchess.org/join/
• All registration closes 1 hour before the relevant Round 1.
• On-site registration:
• 3-Day Schedule - Friday 5:30-6pm
• 2-Day Schedule / Re-Entry - Saturday 7:30-8am

SCHEDULE

3-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds

Friday 7pm

Saturday: 2pm (merge with 2-Day schedule), and 7pm

Sunday: 9am and 2:30pm

2-Day Schedule - 5 Rounds

Saturday: 9am*, 2pm (merge with 3-Day schedule), and 7pm

Sunday: 9am and 2:30pm

*Round 1 of the 2-Day Schedule is played at G/90; d5 time control.

In all sections, White’s clock may be started at the start of the round, even if players are not present (to stay on schedule).

TIME CONTROLS

3-Day Schedule: G/110; d5

Round 1 of the 2-Day Schedule is played at G/90; d5 time control.

Boards, Sets, and Clocks: Will be provided on-site for every board.

PRIZE FUND: $10,000 Guaranteed:

Championship Section

$1,000 - $600 - $300

Class prizes:

U2200: $250 - $220 - $200

U2100: $180 - $170

Under 2000 Section:

$800 - $400 - $250

Class prizes:

U1900: $220 - $200 - $180

U1800: $170 - $160

U1700: $150 - $130

Under 1600 Section

$700 - $350 - $220

Class prizes:

U1500: $200 - $160

U1400: $150 - $140

U1300: $130 - $120

Under 1200 Section

$600 - $300 - $200

Class prizes:

U1100: $150 - $140

U1000: $130 - $120

U900: $110 - $100

Senior prizes: Each section age 50+: $60 - $40 bonus prizes in each section

North Carolina Championship Titles and Awards:

Plaque or trophy to Top Championship; U2200; U2000; U1800; U1600; U1400; U1200; U1000; U700

Standard US Chess tiebreaks (currently in the SwissSys program) are used for trophies. In the very unlikely event that the 4 main USCF tie-breaking methods are all tied, then there will be a blitz playoff among the players tying for all 4 main USCF tie-breaking methods.

First place ties in title categories (Championship; U2200; U2000; U1800; U1600; U1400; U1200; U1000; U700) will be considered co-champions.

Section choice guidelines:  For "playing up" in Open; Under 2000; or Under 1600  Sections, the 100 point rule applies: minimum rating to enter Open Section is 1900; minimum rating to enter Under 2000 Section is 1500; and minimum rating to enter Under 1600 Section is 1100.

Registration Deadlines and Entry Fees:

JotForm to register: https://pci.jotform.com/form/261315464415150

▪ By June 14: Entry fee $60

▪ June 15-July 4: $99

▪ July 5-July 24: $109

▪ Pay $119 after July 24 Online, or Register Onsite at least 1 hour before the relevant Round 1; mandatory 1st round half point bye likely: $119

All withdrawals by August 12 will be refunded minus a $10 transaction fee.  After August 12, refunds will be 50% until 1 hour before the relevant Round 1.

Re-entry: If players have an undesirable tournament start, they may wish to re-enter the tournament, and can do so for a $40 fee.

Free entry for GMs/IMs/WGMs

This tournament offers entry fee supplements for players who could not otherwise play. Supplement recipients pay a fixed $25 reduced entry fee for this tournament.

To register for a supplement, please use the form at https://ncchess.org/tournament-supplement-request/. There are 6 supplements available for this tournament. This offer ends 60 days prior to the start of this tournament.

USCF membership required. https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess

Policy on granting of byes and re-entries:

Up to 2 optional half point byes are allowed for any round(s) declared before Round 3. All registration changes, byes, and withdrawals must be submitted at least 1 hour before the relevant round. Players who forfeit ('no-show") without sufficient notice will be fined up to $100.

Re-entry: If players have an undesirable tournament start, they may wish to re-enter the tournament, and can do so for a $40 fee.

Accommodations: Players who need special accommodation to attend or play will be reasonably accommodated to the best of our ability. While we do not provide volunteer assistants or special equipment, we can often provide other forms of assistance to players as needed. For special accommodation, at least 2 weeks prior to the event will be required so that we can be prepared by the time of the event.  

USCF Regular rating used for section eligibility, pairings, and prizes (August 2026 rating list).

For questions, concerns, and withdrawals prior to the event email:  [email protected]

For contact during the event email (above) or text (or call) (919) 422-2535

Residency restriction: Open to all players who are residents of NC, students in NC colleges or universities, or military stationed in NC