2026 WISCONSIN STATE SCHOLASTIC CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
March 21-22
Please note four major changes compared to the last year:
1. location: Madison
2. it is a 2-day event
3. early EF deadline is March 6th
4. everyone who scores 4 or more points is guaranteed a trophy
Madison Marriott West, Middleton, WI 53562
1313 John Q Hammons Dr. (608) 831-2000
Chess Rate is $125 and is available for Friday and Saturday if reserved by February 27th. Use this reservation link: WI State Scholastic Chess Championships. If the link doesn't work, please contact the organizers and we will make sure you get the chess rate! This rate includes free parking, free internet, and a discounted breakfast buffet.
Round one begins at 10:00am
Pairings and Standings:
(this page is for K-12 Junior Varsity, K-8, and K-5 individual sections; for K-12 Varsity Team sections registration, go to: https://www.kingregistration.com/event/2026WIstateVarsity
K-12, K-8, K-5 FORMAT: these sections are 5-round individual Swiss tournaments with participation open to any Wisconsin student in grades K-12, K-8, or K-5, respectively. In addition to the individual prizes, there are team awards (top individual scores are counted towards the team score). No out-of-state entries are allowed in this event. Players of all abilities are encouraged to participate. This is not a US Chess rated event.
ELIGIBILITY and TEAM COMPOSITION: Only Wisconsin students are eligible. All players must be full-time students from the same school that holds classes during week days. If a high school does not have a 9th grade, then they may tap 9th graders from eligible feeder schools. Students in grades K-8 may play as a team is K-12 and K-8 if from the same school.
A home school or virtual school student may play on either a public or private school team. To play on a public school team, the student must live within the attendance boundary (not district) from which that public school draws. Any private school seeking to have these students on their team must use the same public school attendance boundary in which their school building is located. Players from outside their boundaries are not allowed to play on that school’s team. Home-schooled students are considered to be in 9th grade when they are 14 as of September 1st of the school year. Players must be under the age of 19 as of September 1st of the school year.
SCHEDULE:
Round 1 Saturday at 10:00am
Round 2 Saturday at 1:00pm
Round 3 Saturday at 4:00pm
Round 4 Sunday at 9:30am
Round 5 Sunday at 12:30pm
Awards Sunday at 3:30pm
The time control is Game in 70 minutes with a 5-second increment. Accelerated pairings may be used for the first two rounds. Boards and sets are provided. Please bring clocks.
BYES: up to two 1/2-point byes are allowed if requested before round one.
RATINGS: Tournament Directors can choose the highest of the published US Chess ratings (regular, online regular, quick, online quick) for pairing purposes only. Ratings are not affected by this event. The March Rating Supplement will be used. March ratings should be available at www.uschess.org/msa in late February.
PRIZES: In each of the K-12, K-8, and K-5 sections, the top ten individuals and the top six teams will be awarded trophies. Additionally, every player who scores at least 4 points is guaranteed a trophy. The state championship title and traveling trophies will be presented to the K-8 and K-5 team champions. Every participant is eligible for an additional award (medal, chocolate, or fruit leather), especially if they castle.
TIEBREAKS: the order of tiebreaks for team and individual prizes is Solkoff, Cumulative Opposition, Cumulative, and Modified Median.
ENTRY FEE: The early bird entry fee is $40 per player if received by March 6th. The regular entry fee is $45 per player if received by March 19th. The late entry fee is $60 per player and is accepted until 8:00am on March 21st. Online payments are preferred. If you need to make an alternative arrangement, please email Chris Wainscott at chris.wainscott13@outlook.com Checks can be made payable to Chris Wainscott.
PLAYING SITE:
Madison Marriott West, Middleton, WI 53562
1313 John Q Hammons Dr. (608) 831-2000)
SIDE EVENT: Waupaca High School will sponsor the Wisconsin State Bughouse Championship. It will start around 7:00pm. Link is forthcoming.
QUESTIONS: please email Chris Wainscott chris.wainscott13@outlook.com or Alex Betaneli abetaneli@hotmail.com You may also reach Chris by texting 414-839-5232.
Refund Policy: If you register for the tournament and are unable to make it, please notify us at least two hours in advance of the start of round one. If this is done, then the IAC will refund your entry fee less the cost of online registration ($1) and payment processing ($0.30 + 2.9% of the entry fee.)