2026 Arizona Scholastic State Chess Championships
April 25–26, 2026 (Blitz: April 24th)
Location: Harelson Elementary School
826 W Chapala Dr, Tucson, AZ 85704
Register Online: kingregistration.com
Tournament Flyer

Registration Fees

Early Advanced Entry $65 prior March 30
Advanced Entry $75 March 30 through April 20
Late Entry $85 after April 20


Withdrawals/Refunds requested after April 20 will incur a $10 processing fee.

Online registration closes on Friday, April 24th at noon.

Onsite registration available on Friday, April 24th from 5pm-7pm. Onsite entry fee is $125.

Tournament Schedule

K-1 through 6-8
Saturday — G/45 9:00 • 11:15 • 1:30 • 3:30
Sunday — G/60 9:00 • 12:00 • 3:00

 

9-12
Saturday — G/60 9:00 • 12:00 • 3:00
Sunday — G/60 9:00 • 12:00 • 3:00

Event Information

Please arrive at 8:45am for pairings and announcements. Players are responsible for bringing pencils/pens and clocks and for setting their own clocks.

Participants must be AZ residents. Participants must have a current US Chess membership.

Half point byes available in all rounds with a maximum of 2. Byes must be declared before the start of round 1. All byes requested after round 1 will be zero-point byes. Byes may not be cancelled after the start of round 1.

Sections may be combined based on number of entries.

Individual & Team Awards

School Teams The top 4 scorers in each section form a school team.
6th–8th & 9th–12th 1st–7th Individual • 1st–3rd Team
K-5 1st–15th Individual • 1st–5th Team
K-3 1st–12th Individual • 1st–5th Team
K-1 1st–10th Individual • 1st–3rd Team


Class Prizes:

1st 9-12 U1400 • 1st 6-8 U1000 • 1st K-5 U800 • 1st K-5 U500 • 1st K-3 U600 • 1st K-3 U400

• Special participation item to all kindergartners in K-1 not receiving a top place award
• Medals to all scoring 4.5 points not receiving a top place award
• Participation item to all players

Top K-3 — AZ Ashley Representative
Top K-5 — AZ Rockefeller Representative
Top 6-8 — AZ Barber Representative
Top 9-12 — AZ Denker Representative
Top Female 9-12 — AZ Haring Representative

 

Side event:  Blitz tournament Friday, April 24th at 6:30 pm. https://www.kingregistration.com/event/2026statechampblitz
Blitz Flyer

Contact: Michelle Martinez, TEXT (520) 615-1308. southernarizonachess@gmail.com; sazchess.org

Media Release: By registering for this event, you give Southern Arizona Chess Association permission to take and use photographs or recordings and use such material for any purpose in print, advertisements, films or videos and on line and broadcast presentations of any sort.

Electronic Device Policy: Participants (upon starting their game) and spectators (where permitted) must not have on their person in the playing area any cell phone, smart watch, tablet, laptop, or other Internet-enabled device. This includes all electronic scoresheets.

If a player wishes to bring such a device into the tournament hall, the device (including smart watches) must be turned off (not placed into “silent” or “airplane” mode) and placed either face-up on the table where the player has a game in progress, or placed into a bag that the player does not carry or open during the game in progress.

Failure to completely turn off a device may result in penalties (time penalty, forfeiture) and are at the discretion of tournament director staff.

Notation Requirements:

The following notation guidelines will be in effect for this championship:

K-1 Championship & K-3 Championship sections - Notation encouraged but not required.

K-5 Championship, 6-8 Championship & 9-12 Championship - Notation required.

SACA will provide score sheets for this event. Players are responsible for their own pen/pencil.

 SACA Player and Parent/Coach Conduct Policy:

SACA’s objective is to hold a harmonious and enjoyable tournament where all players and parents conduct themselves in a respectful manner. Therefore, SACA has instituted a ZERO TOLERANCE conduct policy for all players, including parents, coaches, or responsible adults. All players and parents are expected to follow the policy outlined below:

Policy Details

  • Players 12 and under may not be left unattended and must be under the supervision of a parent or responsible adult;
  • Players must always be respectful to staff, players, as well as any non-tournament guests;
  • Players/parents must stay in designated areas and engage in non-disruptive activities such as reading, board/electronic games or talking with friends when not playing a tournament game.
  • Parents and coaches may bring their personal chairs and items to set up in the skittles area.  
  • Players, etc., may not play in streets;
  • Players, etc., may not throw anything indoors including balls, food, trash, etc.;
  • Players, etc., may not run through the school;
  • Players, etc., may not enter private areas or other classrooms;
  • Players, etc., may not block public access or fire routes, or commit acts of vandalism (i.e. damage any property); and
  • Players, etc., may not leave garbage or debris anywhere except in designated garbage bins.
  • Only players designated to play their game on the stage may enter the stage area.

Failure to comply with these rules could result in a warning, forfeiture, or more likely, an immediate ejection from the tournament depending on the severity of the infraction.  Tournament staff, as well as Harelson Elementary staff, have the final word on ejections and there will be no possibility of appeal or refund of tournament fees.

 

Hotels Near Harelson:

Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson-Mall, 5950 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704, 5206188000 

Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa, 245 E Ina Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704, 5202971151 

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Tucson North/Oro Valley, 10150 N Oracle Rd, Oro Valley, AZ 85737, 5205724235 

3 Palms Tucson North Foothills, 7411 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704, 5205759255 

Best Western Innsuites Tucson Foothills Hotel & Suites, 6201 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704, 5202978111 

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Tucson, 405 W Rudasill Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704, 5202929697 

La Posada Lodge & Casitas, Ascend Hotel Collection, 5900 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704, 5204926637 

El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort, 10000 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704, 5205445000