🗓️ Date and Time

Friday – Sunday, October 3–5, 2025

📍 Location

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

Call to Reserve a Room: (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 $13 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 (5 Rounds)

• Friday: 7:00 PM

• Saturday: 2:00 PM (merged with 2-Day Schedule), 7:00 PM

• Sunday: 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM

2-Day Schedule (5 Rounds)

• Saturday: 9:00 AM*, 2:00 PM (merged with 3-Day Schedule), 7:00 PM

• Sunday: 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM

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

Time Controls

• 3-Day Schedule: G/110; d5

• 2-Day Schedule: Round 1 = G/90; d5; all subsequent rounds = G/110; d5

Prizes & Awards

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

Championship Section

• Overall: $900 – $500 – $250

• Class Prizes:

  • U2200: $200 – $150 – $130

  • U2100: $120 – $100

Under 2000 Section

• Overall: $600 – $300 – $200

• Class Prizes:

  • U1900: $160 – $150 – $140

  • U1800: $130 – $120

  • U1700: $110 – $100

Under 1600 Section

• Overall: $600 – $300 – $200

• Class Prizes:

  • U1500: $150 – $140

  • U1400: $130 – $120

  • U1300: $110 – $100

Under 1200 Section

• Overall: $500 – $250 – $150

• Class Prizes:

  • U1100: $120 – $110

  • U1000: $100 – $90

  • U900: $80 – $70

Additional Awards

• Senior Prizes (Age 50+): $50 – $30 bonus in each section

• Plaques/Trophies: Awarded to top finishers in:

  • Championship, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400, U1200, U1000, U700

• Tiebreaks: USCF tiebreaks used for plaques and trophies

• Co-Champions: 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 the Open, Under 2000, or Under 1600 Sections, the 100-point rule applies:

• Minimum rating to enter Open Section: 1900

• Minimum rating to enter Under 2000 Section: 1500

• Minimum rating to enter Under 1600 Section: 1100

Registration and Entry Fees

• Register by August 3: $50

• Register August 4–10: $95

• Register August 11–31: $104

• Register September 1–20: $114

• After September 20 or on-site: $120 (must be completed at least 1 hour before the relevant Round 1; mandatory ½-point bye for Round 1 is likely)

Refunds:

• Withdrawals by October 1: refunded minus a $10 transaction fee

• Withdrawals after October 1: 50% refund until 1 hour before Round 1

Re-entry: Players who wish to re-enter after an undesirable start may do so for a $40 fee.

Free Entry: GMs, IMs, and WGMs

Rules and Requirements

• USCF Membership Required: Join US Chess

• Optional Byes: Up to 2 half-point byes allowed if declared before Round 3

• All changes, byes, and withdrawals must be submitted at least 1 hour before the relevant round

• Players who forfeit (“no-show”) without sufficient notice may be fined up to $100

• Ratings: October 2025 USCF Regular rating list will be used for section eligibility, pairings, and prizes

Contact Information

• Before the Event (questions, concerns, withdrawals): jon@dragonknightchess.com

• During the Event: Email above or call/text (919) 422-2535

Eligibility

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

This is a live, over-the-board (OTB) event.