News Notes
Fabiano Caruana (left) receives the US Masters cup from tournament organizer and Executive Director of the Charlotte Chess Center, Peter Giannatos.
The Charlotte Chess Center organized and conducted the largest event in its nearly 11-year history over the Thanksgiving 2024 holiday with the US Masters Tournament. There were 737 participants from 36 US states and 39 countries who played in this year’s US Masters and NC Open tournaments, effectively known as the Charlotte Chess Festival.
Headlined by world #2 GM Fabiano Caruana, 46 other Grandmasters, and 51 International Masters, the US Masters event had a record-breaking turnout of 264 players where 6 norms were earned, 4 GM and 2 IM.
Alongside the US Masters was the North Carolina Open which featured 473 players of all levels. Open participants enjoyed blitz challenges and lectures with GM Naroditsky as well as US Masters commentary with both GMs Daniel Naroditsky and Kayden Troff.
Fabiano Caruana won the USM event 8/9 despite his setback in round 6 against Theodorou. Caruana marks the USM with the highest achieved score in history. In addition, he picks up the highly sought after FIDE Circuit points from the event propelling him to a near tie for 1st with Arjun Erigaisi.
The Charlotte Chess Center partnered with Chess.com, International Chess Federation, US Chess, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, and The Westin Charlotte to make this event happen.
For more details, visit charlottechesscenter.org.
