🗓️ Date and Time

Friday – Sunday, October 3–5, 2025

📍 Where

Best Western Plus Burlington
770 Huffman Mill Road
Burlington, NC 27215

📞 Call to Reserve: (336) 584-0151
Mention “NC Chess State Championships” when booking your room.

🍳 Meals: A complimentary breakfast buffet is included for hotel guests. Family & friends without rooms may join for $10 per person (pay at the front desk or add to the guest’s room invoice).

5 Rounds – Swiss System
Choose from two flexible playing schedules:

⏱️ 3-Day Schedule

• Round 1: Friday, 6:30pm

• Rounds 2 & 3: Saturday, 10:30am & 4:00pm

• Rounds 4 & 5: Sunday, 10:00am & 3:00pm

• Time Control: G/100, increment 10 seconds

⏱️ 2-Day Schedule

• Rounds 1–3: Saturday, 10:00am, 1:00pm*, and 4:00pm

• Rounds 4 & 5: Sunday, 10:00am & 3:00pm

• *Rounds 1 & 2 played at G/45, inc/10

Prize fund: $8,000 based on 130 entries (75% = $6,000 Guaranteed):

Championship Section

$900 – $500 – $250

Class prizes:

U2200: $200 – $150 – $130

U2100: $120 – $100

Under 2000 Section: 

$600 – $300 – $200

Class prizes:

U1900: $160 – $150 – $140

U1800: $130 – $120

U1700: $110 – $100

Under 1600 Section

$600 – $300 – $200

Class prizes:

U1500: $150 – $140

U1400: $130 – $120

U1300: $110 – $100

Under 1200 Section

$500 – $250 – $150

Class prizes:

U1100: $120 – $110

U1000: $100 – $90

U900: $80 – $70

Senior prizes: Each section age 50+: $50 – $30 bonus prizes in each section

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

USCF tiebreaks for plaques and trophies

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 and Entry Fee:

Register by August 3 pay $50;

Register August 4-10 pay $95;

Register August 11-31 pay $104;

Register September 1-20 pay $114;

Pay $120 after September 20 or on-site at least 1 hour before the relevant Round 1; mandatory 1st round half point bye likely.

All withdrawals by October 1 will be refunded minus a $10 transaction fee. After Oct. 1, 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

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

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.

USCF Regular rating used for section eligibility, pairings, and prizes (October 2025 rating list).

For questions, concerns, and withdrawals prior to the event email:  jon@dragonknightchess.com

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