OVERVIEW

The 2024 US Masters will be held over Thanksgiving Weekend, November 27 – December 1, 2024. The USM is an official US Chess National Championship and FIDE-rated event which features a $28,000 guaranteed prize fund. This year’s event is headlined by GM Fabiano Caruana, the number 3 player in the world!

The Masters is held just after the 2024 GM/IM Fall Invitational and runs alongside the 2024 NC Open, an open event for players of all ratings with $13,000 in prizes.

All participants of the festival receive free entry into the $2,000 Blitz.

The US Masters is part of the 2024 FIDE Circuit, a leg of the World Championship/Candidates cycle. The tournament is partially supported by the FIDE Open Aid Project.

​New this year:

• Increased prize fund from $22,000 to $28,000

• New women’s and senior’s prizes

• Free entry to WIMs (in addition to GMs, IMs, WGMs)

WHEN

November 27 – December 1, 2024 ​

WHERE

The Westin Charlotte

601 S College Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

​​HOTEL BOOKING

The Westin Charlotte – Host Hotel

$129/Night – King and 2 Queen Options

Booking link – Book by November 12

​

PARKING

REGISTRATION

• Players are strongly recommended to register online (registration form below)

• Online registration until November 27, 4:00pm

• On-Site Registration: November 27, 3:30-4:00pm

• All registrations after Wednesday November 27, 4:00pm will result in round 1 bye.

ELIGIBILITY

• Players rated or once rated at least 2200 USCF or FIDE based on an established rating of at least 26 games.

• Players with the NM, FM, WFM, or higher titles regardless of rating.

• Untitled juniors (born 2005 or after) must be rated 2000+ FIDE or 2100+ USCF at the time of registration (or thereafter, but no peak ratings) to play – additional fee applies.

• No exceptions to eligibility rules.  Players who do not qualify for the US Masters may enter the NC Open.

• Entry fees are based on the title and rating at the time of registration.

• CFC and other foreign national masters accepted.

• CM and WCM titles are not considered.

• Peak ratings are not considered for untitled juniors.

TIME CONTROL

G/90; +30

90 minutes plus a 30 second increment from move 1

$28,000 GUARANTEED IN PRIZES

200 US Chess Grand Prix Points

$7000 – $3500 – $2000 – $1500 – $1400 – $1200 – $1000

Top U2500 FIDE: $1600 – $800

Top U2350 FIDE: $1200 – $600

Top U2200 FIDE: $1000 – $500

Bonus Prizes (can be won in addition to other prizes)

• $500+ US Masters trophy and title for clear first or playoff winner

• Top Women’s Prizes: $1600 – $800 – $400

• Top Senior’s Prizes (born 1974 or earlier): $1000 – $400

The USM is part of the FIDE Circuit, a leg of the World Championship/Candidates cycle.

NORMS

GM, IM, WGM, WIM norms available

Norm “Super Swiss” – normal federation requirement waived

FIDE requires at least one Swiss norm to obtain GM/IM/WGM/WIM titles

SCHEDULE

Registration and bye request window closes 4:00pm Wednesday

​SIDE EVENTS

FREE $2,000 Blitz

• Saturday 9:00-11:00pm

• 6 Rounds, 2 sections – Championship and Under 2000

• More details here

ENTRY FEES

• All GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs: Free Entry with no deduction if registered by October 23.  $200 deducted from prize if registered after October 23.

• Titled Player Entry (FM, WFM, NM): $299 by November 1, $319 by November 15, $349 after November 15.

• Untitled Juniors (born 2005 or after) with Peak Ratings Under 2200: Must be rated 2000+ FIDE or 2100+ USCF at the time of registration: $200 more than Titled Player Entry.

• Entry fees based on the title/status at the time of registration. 

CONTACT

• For questions/concerns prior to the event email: events@charlottechesscenter.org

• Titled player conditions/withdrawals – wmhigh@nc.rr.com

  • PLAYERS MUST REQUEST CONDITIONS BY OCTOBER 10, 2024

• Ordinary withdrawals, use this form