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

OVERVIEW

The 2026 NC K-12 Championship is the official North Carolina state scholastic championship, and is the qualifier for several 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

 

Friday, February 27: Blitz tournament and suggested arrival

Saturday, February 28: K-1 Section and Bughouse

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

WHERE

Hilton Charlotte University Place

8629 JM Keynes Drive

Charlotte, NC 28262

Free Internet, Free Parking

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​HOTEL BOOKING

$134/Night – 1 King or 2 Doubles

Booking Link – Book ASAP

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

• Only scholastic players (K-12) who live or attend school in North Carolina are permitted to play.

  • Players are requested to ensure that their state is listed as “NC” with US Chess.

• If your school is not listed on the online registration portal, send an email to: events@charlottechesscenter.org.

• 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. Quick, blitz, and online ratings are not accepted. No exceptions.

  • 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. No mailed or on-site entries.

• Registration cap – 500 players.

  • Registration will close when we are full.

  • If we are not full, registration will close at 6:30pm on Friday, February 27.

  • Organizers reserve the right to accept limited entries past 500 depending on specific space constraints.

• Side event registration:

  • Blitz – online or on-site by 6:30pm Friday.

  • Bughouse – on-site only by 6:30pm Saturday.

• Use this link to change sections or other information for a player you have already registered.

• We have a strict no parent/spectator policy during play. See the full policy below. By registering, you acknowledge that parents and coaches will not be able to see their children during play.

SECTIONS AND TIME CONTROLS

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

Players are strongly suggested to play in the section as determined by their grade/age, not their rating.

• For example, a 3rd grader rated 700 should play K-3 Championship, not K-5 U900, K-5 Championship, etc.

K-12 Championship: 5 rounds. Rounds 1-3: G/60, inc/5. Rounds 4-5: G/75, inc/5.

K-12 Under 1500: 5 rounds. Rounds 1-3: G/60, inc/5. Rounds 4-5: G/75, inc/5.

K-8 Championship: 5 rounds. Rounds 1-3: G/60, inc/5. Rounds 4-5: G/75, inc/5.

K-8 Under 1200: 5 rounds. Rounds 1-3: G/60, inc/5. Rounds 4-5: G/75, inc/5.

K-5 Championship: 6 rounds. G/45, inc/5.

K-5 Under 900: 6 rounds, G/45, inc/5.

K-3 Championship: 6 rounds, G/45, inc/5.

K-3 Under 600: 6 rounds, G/45, inc/5.

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

• $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 events@charlottechesscenter.org if you can assist.

CONTACT

events@charlottechesscenter.org

Use this link to change sections or other information for a player you have already registered.

Use this link to withdraw (cancel) from the event.